Author Archives: Alison German

Rescue warning from the Kennel Club as advert sends boxer pup searches soaring

boxer The Kennel Club has reminded people about the importance of carefully choosing a dog after the annual John Lewis Christmas advert, featuring ‘Buster’ the Boxer, has sent searches for Boxer dog puppies to record highs.

Figures released by the Kennel Club show that searches for Boxer puppies on its Find A Puppy website, rose by 160 per cent in the day following the release of the advert. The interest continued in the following days, with searches up a total of 169 per cent in the five days since the advert’s release and by 151 percent on the same period in 2015.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “We have seen unprecedented levels of interest in the Boxer dog breed since the John Lewis advert was aired, whereas interest in other breeds during the same time has stayed relatively static. The Kennel Club’s Find a Puppy service is a tool for people to use when looking for a dog breeder with a litter of puppies, so people are already actively seeking Boxer pups as a result of the advert. When there is a sudden and enormous spike in people searching for puppies within a breed that is in the media spotlight, we all too often see the same breed overflowing from rescue centres a few months later. It is understandable that adverts, films and other media will feature and celebrate dogs given that we are a nation of dog lovers, but the Boxer breed could be in real trouble if people let impulsiveness take over and rush out to buy one without knowing much about the breed. While the John Lewis advert perfectly depicts the Boxer’s playful and endearing nature, no advert can give a fully rounded picture of what any dog breed is like, so it is essential that people do their research if they are looking to get a dog. We would strongly urge anyone who is serious about getting a Boxer to go to a responsible breeder, such as a Kennel Club Assured Breeder or consider a rescue dog”.

Betty Hoad of the Southern Boxer Rescue Service, has voiced concern about seeing an influx of Boxers through their doors in the New Year. She said: “Boxers are absolutely wonderful characters but we fear being inundated next year, after the interest the John Lewis advert has generated in the breed. We saw lots of Boxers called George coming into us after the Colman’s Mustard ad featuring a Boxer, so we know it happens. Boxers drool, they are messy eaters, and whilst they are fun and playful it means that they also need a lot of exercise and stimulation. They are bouncy, do not look where they are going and blunder about, so people need to be aware of this, particularly if they have children. Neither do they like being left alone, so if you are out working all day, it is not the dog for you.”

To educate people on Boxers following their tremendous boost in popularity, the Kennel Club has launched a ‘Living with Buster’ page on its website, to show people more about the reality of living with the Boxer breed.

The Kennel Club is also inviting people to come and meet Boxers at the Discover Dogs zone at Crufts on 8-11 March 2017, at the NEC in Birmingham, where people can find out more about the breed, and other breeds of dog, and whether they are right for their lifestyle.

Nursing Progress Log (NPL) back online

We have been informed by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) that the Nursing Progress Log (NPL) is now back online. Unfortunately the crash means that activity submitted between 01.30 and 08.00 on 15 November 2016 (Tuesday morning) may have been lost and will need to be re-submitted. The RCVS apologies for the inconvenience caused.

New Block Release Veterinary Nursing at Huntingdon

The College of Animal Welfare is delighted to announce a new block release Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing programme running at its Huntingdon centre from January 2017.

The block release course will run over two years and will consist of four, two week blocks in college each year and intensive online learning. Local accommodation for those students travelling some distance is available nearby.

Mel Young, Academic Manager, said “The block release programme will give both employers and learners a choice in the way they study veterinary nursing”. She continued “We recognise that day release learning does not suit all employers, particularly those who are located in more remote areas, or those who have several students attending college looking for a way to manage their time away from practice”.

The first block is scheduled to run from Monday 16 January – Friday 27 January 2017 and is open for applications now. More information can be found on our website or by calling 01480 422060.

New CAW Nursing Progress Log (NPL) Skills Checklist

The checklist for the new Nursing Progress Log (NPL) is now available to CAW veterinary nursing students on the VLE (under NPL resources) and to CAW clinical coaches in the clinical coaches section of the VLE (under NPL Documents).

The checklist is designed to ensure students cover all of the criteria set in the guidance notes for each skill and that the full scope of each skill is also covered.

A guide to completing the new NPL will be released in the near future…

National Minimum Wage Increases: 1 October 2016

On 1 October 2016, the National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates increased. These increases are designed to pull up wages in line with inflation.

There are no changes to the National Living Wage (NLW) – for workers aged 25 and over- which was introduced in April 2016, this remains at £7.20 per hour. However all other NMW hourly rates have increased as per the below:

Workers rate for workers aged 21 – 24 is now £6.95 (up from £6.70)
Development rate for workers aged 18-20 is now £5.55 (up from £5.30)
Young workers rate for workers aged 16-17 is now £4.00 (up from £3.87)
Apprentice rate for apprentices under 19, or over 19 in their first year of an apprenticeship, is now £3.40 (up from £3.30)

Unlike in previous years, the new NMW rates are set to last for only six months (from 1 October 2016 to 30 March 2017). The next NMW and NWL increases are then set to take place in April 2017, and annually each April thereafter.

NMW and NLW rates are compulsory, please make sure your company complies!

Full information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates

Nursing Progress Log (NPL) problems currently being experienced

Clinical coaches and student veterinary nurses may have noticed a recent problem with the Nursing Progress Log (NPL) which is preventing the historical logging of evidence and demonstrations. This is something the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) is aware of and is currently investigating. When we receive further news about this, we will inform you.

Health and Fitness Tip of the Week: Hygiene

Did you know that anti-bacterial hand soap may only have the same effect as regular soap? Washing your hands is the best way to stop the spread of illnesses. Showering daily can help reduce the number of bacteria on your body. Using face cleanser at night is a good way to reduce the build-up of dirt and bacteria in the skin. Brushing your teeth in the morning and at night helps prevent diseases forming in the mouth.

Wearing deodorant on a daily basis can help stop you sweating excessively. Washing your clothes after you wear them will stop the rate of bacteria from increasing on the clothing. Wiping down surfaces in your house, hovering the floors and washing the dishes will help prevent the spread of illnesses and diseases. Change your bed sheets every week to reduce the number of bacteria that forms from dust, sweat and old skin cells.

http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Hygienic
http://www.dettol.co.uk/your-family/family-health/teen-hygiene-tips/

Health and Fitness Tip of the Week: Hay fever levels are up!

Did you know if you suffer from hay fever, you can get a better night’s sleep if you wash your hair at bed time?

One in five people are affected by hay fever at some point in their life; symptoms include sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes. There are several ways in which you can relieve the symptoms of hay fever, including antihistamines which can reduce the inflammation in the nose, irritation of the eyes, sneezing and itchy throat. Showering and removing clothes which have been worn outside can also help reduce the allergic reaction to pollens.

“I wait a long time for the weather to get better and when it does I’m allergic to it”

For more information on how you can help get relief from hay fever visit the NHS website.

City & Guilds July 2016 Veterinary Nursing OSCE Results

City & Guilds have today (11 July 2016) informed us that the results of their July Veterinary Nursing OSCEs will be sent out to Colleges the week commencing 8 August 2016.

Once we receive the results, we will process them as soon as possible and ensure they are sent out to students, by email, within three working days.

We are unable to give out results over the phone; if you have not heard from us by the end of that week, please call us on 01480 422060.

Health and Fitness Tip of the Week: Get active!

There are many ways that individuals can build physical activity into their lives. It is actually easier than you think to make activity part of your daily routine.

To stay healthy, the NHS recommends that adults aged 19-64 should aim to be active each day, and should do:

at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity such as cycling or fast walking every week, AND strength exercises on two or more days a week that work all the major muscles (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms).

75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity, such as running or a game of singles tennis every week AND strength exercises on two or more days a week that work all the major muscles (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms).

A mix of moderate and vigorous aerobic activity each week. For example, two 30-minute runs plus 30 minutes of fast walking (equates to 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity) AND strength exercises on two or more days a week that work all of the major muscles (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms).

One way of doing 150 minutes a week is by doing 30 minutes a day for five days of the week. Create a new routine for yourself where you walk or run every day when you get home from College or work. If you don’t want to do it on your own then get your friends involved too. Try and build up to walking 10,000 steps a day (approximately 5 miles a day).

Remember, that walking and running are free, as long as you invest in good footwear, and the health benefits are obvious. The important goal is to stay motivated to continue with this new routine until it becomes a habit. You can walk approximately 1,000 steps in 10 minutes. Many people now use pedometer style devices to keep track of their walking. It is sometimes overlooked as a form of exercise, however walking can build stamina, burn excess calories and give you a healthier heart, and can easily be fitted into a daily routine. And, if you have a canine companion, you could both benefit!