Author Archives: Alison German

The College of Animal Welfare VLE Survey: Have your say!

How are you finding your online learning experience at The College of Animal Welfare?

Now is your chance to have your say!

During January, we are running a short survey for all CAW students to gain feedback on our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). By sharing your thoughts and ideas about your online learning experience with us, we can identify any necessary improvements to all current and future students.

How do I take part?

Take the Survey

The survey should only take approximately five minutes and is open until 31 January 2017. Thank you in advance for your help.

World Religion Day Competition Details

E&D Competition of the Month: World Religion Day

World Religion Day Blog ImageThis month’s prize competition topic is ‘World Religion Day’ – enter and be in with a chance of winning a £20 amazon voucher!

This year, falling on 15 January, World Religion Day is about celebrating religious diversity, as well as encouraging religious and non-religious people alike to better understand the beliefs of others, and recognise the similarities that all religions share.

In order to be in with a chance of winning a £20 amazon voucher, you simply need to submit an effort you have made to engage with and/or raise awareness of the topic World Religion Day to marketing@caw.ac.uk by Wednesday 25 January 2017.

What you choose to submit is open to your interpretation, meaning you can enter anything you feel is relevant. If you’re struggling to think of ideas, you could send us…

  • Artwork – All religions across the world have a rich history of sacred art and imagery, why not celebrate this with some artwork of your own? You could create a poster with facts about different religions, or send us some photography exploring the theme of religion.
  • Personal stories – Do you have a story to tell about the role religion has played in your life? Are there any misconceptions you think people might have about your religious beliefs? Sharing a personal story is an excellent way to break down stigma and open up discussion about a subject that is important to you.
  • Blogs – Blogging is one of the most accessible ways to share your ideas with others, and there are endless possibilities when it comes to what you can write about. Perhaps you could tell us more about religious traditions, share some facts about lesser known religions, or do some research of your own and report back what you have found!

These are just a few ideas. Remember – we will consider whatever you choose to submit, provided it fits the theme!

Good luck!

This competition is open to all students and staff at The College of Animal Welfare. Entries should be sent to marketing@caw.ac.uk, or handed in to College, by Wednesday 25 January 2017.

some of the donations collected during our 2016 Christmas Appeals

Christmas Appeals – Thank you!

 

Thank you very much to everyone who contributed to our Christmas appeals last month.

Our Huntingdon centre delivered a large bed full of food, toys and goodies to Animals in Need in Northamptonshire. Edinburgh collected a bin full of food that was donated to the Scottish SPCA Edinburgh and Lothian Animal Rescue and Rehoming centre and Potters Bar handed over donations to the Friends of RSPCA Southridge’s Christmas Dinner Appeal.

Thank you to all who supported the appeal.

some of the donations collected during our 2016 Christmas Appeals

Dog in a Christmas hat

Keep your pets safe this Christmas!

Dog in a Christmas hat

 

Christmas time can present a number of hazards to pets, with figures from the British Veterinary Association (BVA) revealing 80% of vets saw at least one case of toxic ingestion in pets during the last festive period.

 

Across the UK, chocolate poisoning in dogs was the most common cause of toxic ingestion at Christmas; often occurring when chocolate gifts had been left wrapped under Christmas trees.

Almost a quarter of vets treated cats with antifreeze poisoning with a further one in five vets treated of ingestion of poisonous plants such as lilies which can be fatal to cats.

British Veterinary Association President, Gudrun Ravetz, has urged any pet owner who suspects their pet may have eaten something they shouldn’t not to delay in contacting their local vet.

To keep Christmas merry for the whole household, follow their five simple tips from the BVA:

  1. Protect your pet from poisons – a number of festive treats and traditions, such as chocolate, raisins, xylitol (found in sugar free treats), nuts, grapes, liquorice, poinsettia, holly and mistletoe are toxic to cats and dogs.
  2. Keep decorations out of reach – ribbons, wrapping paper, baubles, tinsel and tree lights can all prove irresistible to cats and dogs but can be very dangerous if broken, chewed or swallowed. Batteries for Christmas gifts also need to be kept safe as, if ingested, they may cause severe chemical burns to the mouth, throat and stomach.
  3. Forget festive food for pets – we all enjoy a richer diet over Christmas, but fatty foods and Christmas dinners shouldn’t be shared. They can trigger indigestion, sickness and diarrhoea or even conditions from gastroenteritis to pancreatitis, so try to stick to your pet’s regular diet and routine. Bones, including turkey bones, should not be given to pets as they can splinter and puncture the digestive tract.
  4. Give toys not treats – we all want our pets to share the fun and many of us include a gift for our pet on the shopping list. But too many treats can lead to fat, unhappy animals so consider opting for a new toy, or a long walk if you want to indulge your pet this Christmas.
  5. Know where to go – even with all the care in the world, animal accidents and emergencies can still happen. Make sure you’re prepared by checking your vet’s emergency cover provision and holiday opening hours or, if you are away from home, use the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ Find a Vet facility at http://www.findavet.org.uk/

For more information on pets and poisons, download the free Animal Welfare Foundation leaflet.

Veterinary nurse suspended from the VN Register for two months for failing to provide CPD records

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has recently suspended a veterinary nurse from the VN Register for a period of two months for failing to respond to requests to provide CPD records.

Please remember that, as a Registered Veterinary Nurse, it is your professional responsibility to ensure you complete the required number of CPD hours and provide evidence of this to the RCVS if requested.

Read the full story here.

The College of Animal Welfare runs a wide range of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses for veterinary nurses and, with the early bird discount, you could get a whole day of CPD for just £99! www.caw.ac.uk/cpd

VN Times Logo

VN Times announced as official sponsors of TP Congress 2017

The College of Animal Welfare is delighted to announce VN Times as the official sponsor of TP Congress 2017.

TP Congress is the largest event of its kind, providing two days of CPD dedicated to clinical coaches and those involved in the training of student veterinary nurses. This year’s event is being held on the 20 and 21 March 2017 and is set to return to the popular venue of Whittlebury Hall Hotel and Spa, near to the iconic Silverstone circuit, in Northamptonshire.

A range of topics will help clinical coaches inspire and get the best out of their students, whilst balancing both their clinical nursing role and coaching responsibilities in practice; no mean feat! Lectures will look at learning styles, getting creative with case simulations, assignment writing, succeeding at OSCEs, time and stress management, and much more!

Short Course and Events Manager at The College of Animal Welfare, Tracey Croucher, said “We are delighted to be working with the VN Times team to continue to build on the success of TP Congress. Clinical coaches play such an important role in shaping the next generation of qualified veterinary nurses, but the role can often be demanding, particularly for those new to a coaching role. This event provides, not only 12 hours of meaningful CPD, but allows delegates to network with other clinical coaches who are all facing similar challenges”.

Registration for the congress is now open. An agenda and booking information can be found online at www.caw.ac.uk/tpc or by calling 01480 422060. Delegates who book before 31 January 2017 will be able to take advantage of the early bird discount.

VN Times announced as official sponsors of TP Congress 2017

The College of Animal Welfare is delighted to announce VN Times as the official sponsor of TP Congress 2017.

TP Congress is the largest event of its kind, providing two days of CPD dedicated to clinical coaches and those involved in the training of student veterinary nurses. This year’s event is being held on the 20 and 21 March 2017 and is set to return to the popular venue of Whittlebury Hall Hotel and Spa, near to the iconic Silverstone circuit, in Northamptonshire.

A range of topics will help clinical coaches inspire and get the best out of their students, whilst balancing both their clinical nursing role and coaching responsibilities in practice; no mean feat! Lectures will look at learning styles, getting creative with case simulations, assignment writing, succeeding at OSCEs, time and stress management, and much more!

Short Course and Events Manager at The College of Animal Welfare, Tracey Croucher, said “We are delighted to be working with the VN Times team to continue to build on the success of TP Congress. Clinical coaches play such an important role in shaping the next generation of qualified veterinary nurses, but the role can often be demanding, particularly for those new to a coaching role. This event provides, not only 12 hours of meaningful CPD, but allows delegates to network with other clinical coaches who are all facing similar challenges”.

Registration for the congress is now open. An agenda and booking information can be found online at www.caw.ac.uk/tpc or by calling 01480 422060. Delegates who book before 31 January 2017 will be able to take advantage of the early bird discount.

– Ends –

For more information please contact:
Alison German RVN
Marketing Executive
The College of Animal Welfare
Tel: 01480 422060
Email: agerman@caw.ac.uk

Notes to editors:
The College of Animal Welfare is one of the UK’s leading providers of veterinary nurse and animal care training and education; operating from four training centres around the UK.

The College has a well-earned reputation for excellence and has created a number of unique achievements that have created new opportunities for learning.

For more information about The College of Animal Welfare please visit www.caw.ac.uk.

RCVS looking for veterinary nurses to help pilot outcomes based CPD proposals

RCVS CPD PostcardDuring 2017 the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) will be piloting an outcomes based CPD system and are looking for veterinary nurses who would like to help take part in the pilot. This is your opportunity to give your views on their proposed model and IT system to help ensure it is easy to use and understand.

If you are a veterinary nurse and:

  • Are open to new ideas
  • Can help develop case studies, guidance and the IT system
  • Are willing to engage in the new process and provide feedback

Please get in touch via cpd@rcvs.org.uk

Help us give animals across the UK a happier Christmas this year

Christmas Charity Appeal Logos

 

 

Christmas is all about giving, and this year all of our centres are collecting donations for local animal charities to help make their Christmas day a little more special. Anything you can donate will help make a difference.

 

Huntingdon – Animals in Need

Animals in Need is a rescue organisation that was set up in 1990, run solely by volunteers to rescue sick, injured, trapped and distressed wild and domestic animals in the Northamptonshire area. Over the Christmas period there will be many animals staying at the shelter, please help to make this a special time for them too. They currently have 500 animals, 125 of which are hedgehogs so any donation, however big or small would be very much appreciated. Animals in Need’s wish list includes items for dogs, cats, hedgehogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, rats, chickens or birds, such as:

  • Hedgehog food (cat food/chicken in Jelly)
  • Food and treats
  • Toys
  • Collars and leads
  • Blankets and towels

They also have an amazon wish list should you wish to purchase an item from that:

How to donate:
Leave your item in our collection box in reception.

Potters Bar – The Friends of Southridge RSPCA

The Friends of Southridge RSPCA is a small charity allied to the RSPCA Southridge Animal Centre in Hertfordshire which, at any one time, could be caring for over 300 rescued animals. Every penny donated to the Friends is spent on the animals.

Please help the Friends to make Christmas day special for all the animals at Southridge RSPCA by donating to their Christmas Dinner Appeal. A gift of just £3 will buy one dinner, treat or toy.

How to donate:
Please either leave your donation with reception, go online via www.friendsofrspcasouthridge.org.uk or send a cheque (made payable to ‘Friends of RSPCA Southridge’ to Christmas Dinner Appeal, Friends of RSPCA Southridge, Packhorse Lane, Ridge EN6 3LZ)

Leeds – Jerry Green Dog Rescue and Cats Protection

Jerry Green Dog Rescue care for, and rehome, abandoned and unwanted dogs. They receive no state or lottery funding and so are very much dependant on the generosity of the public to support and enable their important work. Please support this fantastic charity by donating to their treat and toys appeal:

  • Any training treats (including spam and hotdogs sausages)
  • Tennis balls
  • Collars (small and medium) and leads

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity. As well as finding good homes for cats in need, they support and encourage the neutering of cats and strive to provide information to help improve people’s understating of cats and their care. Please help us support the charity this Christmas by donating any of the following:

  • Cat toys
  • Scratch posts
  • Cat food

How to donate:
Leave your item in our collection box in reception.

Edinburgh – Lothian Animal Rescue (Scottish SPCA)

This Christmas our Edinburgh centre have organised a reverse advent calendar for Lothian Animal Rescue (Scottish SPCA). The reverse advent calendar is all about giving a little something instead of receiving. Please help support the work of this dedicated charity by donating food in our food collection box in reception. The shelter has a wide range of animals from fish to horses, so anything would be appreciated. Some students have already indicated that they are willing to donate other items like horse blankets; all of which will be very gratefully received.

How to donate:
Leave your item in the food collection box in reception.

Thank you to everyone who helps by donating a gift this Christmas.

Nursing Progress Log: Professional Behaviour Evaluation

The newly developed Veterinary Nursing Day One Competences embed greater emphasis on professionalism and accountability. In turn, there is now an assessment tool in the new version of the Nursing Progress Log (NPL) which is designed to aid veterinary nurse students in the acquisition of skills in self-evaluation and self-development within a veterinary team, which should be incorporated in their professional practice throughout their careers. The assessment tool identifies four practice levels: Practices with constant supervision, practices with assistance, practices with decreasing supervision and practices independently. At the point of registration students should reach Level 4/ Practices independently across all criteria within the professional behaviour evaluation.

Clinical coaches that have supported BSc and L3 Diploma placement students from The College of Animal Welfare will recognise that this new evaluation tool is not dissimilar to the Behavioural Tool that you have been completing for many years and this will not change. BSc students studying with The College of Animal Welfare will not be required to complete the new NPL version but will be required to continue with the Behavioural Tool. Second year Diploma students (employed or placement) will also be required to complete the Behavioural Tool and to bring this in line with the new NPL evaluation we are reducing the frequency of this to mirror the new NPL, requiring it to be completed around 10%, 40% and 80% NPL completion. Both the Professional Behaviour Evaluation and the Behavioural Tool will be subject to audit and failure to achieve Level 4/ Practices independently may delay RCVS registration.

If you have any queries about either the Professional Behaviour Evaluation or the Behavioural Tool please do not hesitate to contact your Quality Assurance Supervisor.