Author Archives: Amber Tennant

West Yorkshire’s go-to careers event for animal lovers is back in town!

For those aspiring to an exciting career working with animals, there’s no better place to start than The College of Animal Welfare’s annual Careers With Animals Day!

Running at the College’s education and training centre in Tingley on Saturday 14 October, this year’s event boasts another great line up of local and national exhibitors, including Royal Veterinary College, Dog’s Trust, PDSA, Cats Protection, RSPCA, British Horse Society, 1st Military Working Dogs – and many more!

As well as chatting to exhibitors, visitors can also listen to a jam-packed timetable of careers talks being held throughout the day on careers ranging from veterinary nursing and dog grooming, to conservation and hydrotherapy. What’s more, entry is completely free of charge!

Whether you’re a school leaver working out what your next move is going to be, an adult looking for a career change, or unemployed and eager to get back to work – everyone is welcome. The event will be held at The College of Animal Welfare in Tingley (WF3 1DR) on Saturday 13 October. Doors are open from 10am until 3pm and entry is completely free of charge. For more information please visit www.careerswithanimals.co.uk or call 01480 422060.

Careers With Animals Day staff speaks about dog grooming career african conservation experience

Student Veterinary Nurse with Coach-1

New Online Clinical Coach Standardisation Training

The College of Animal Welfare (CAW) is delighted to announce the launch of its new online clinical coach standardisation training!

As a clinical coach, it is a requirement that coaching skills are kept up-to-date through annual standardisation training. For CAW clinical coaches, up until now, this meant either attending a half day standardisation event at a CAW centre or booking a place at TP/Clinical Coach Congress.

The introduction of the new training system now means that clinical coaches can undertake their annual standardisation online through the college’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). This will be particularly helpful for those living some distance from a CAW centre or those struggling to arrange to take time out of practice.

There are four different streams to choose from: Coaching and Student Support, Training Practice Standards, VN Training Updates and VN Knowledge base. Each stream has a number of modules with credit values which allow coaches to choose the ones that best suit their needs. In addition, a number of webinars are also planned to run throughout the year; the first of which will be held on Wednesday 12 September between 1 and 2pm.

All standardisation training (attendance courses, online training and webinars) can be booked online at https://cpd.caw.ac.uk/clinical-coach/standardisation/.

Sleeping dogs

Electric shock collars to be banned

The government has announced that electric shock collars for cats and dogs will be banned in England.

The training devices deliver up to 6,000 volts of electricity or spray noxious chemicals to control unwanted behaviour and shock animals into obedience. Use of such equipment is already outlawed in Wales, whilst the Scottish government is also considering a ban.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove said “We are a nation of animal lovers and the use of punitive shock collars cause harm and suffering to our pets. This ban will improve the welfare of animals and I urge pet owners to instead use positive reward training methods.”

More information can be found on the BBC website.

Labrador sitting outside - dog grooming teacher blog

Check the Chip Day – Is your information up-to-date?

Microchips provide dog owners with peace of mind, but a microchip only works if a) your dog has one and b) its registration information remains accurate.

Remember that if you live in England, Scotland or Wales it is a legal requirement to get your dog fitted with a microchip by the time it’s eight weeks old. Failing to do so could result in a fine of up to £500. By getting a microchip implanted and information stored it means:

  • Your dog can be re-united with you if it is stolen or lost
  • The owners of dogs acting aggressively can be identified
  • The owners of abused dogs can be identified and prosecuted
  • You are respecting and following the law

How to get your dog microchipped

Charities such as Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Dogs Trust and Blue cross centres across the UK may be able to microchip your dog for free or for a small donation. Alternatively, you can pay to have your vet or a trained microchip implanter microchip your dog.

Your dog’s microchip is given a number, which will show up whenever your dog is scanned. Make sure to make a note of your dog’s microchip number so that you can notify the microchip database of any new contact details when needed. You must make sure your dog is registered on one of the following databases:

Keeping your dog’s microchip up-to-date

As a dog owner, you are responsible for keeping your dog’s microchip information up-to-date, for example if you move house or change telephone numbers. To do so, you will need to contact the database company your dog is registered with directly.

If you don’t know which database your dog is registered on, you can check the microchip number for this information by asking a vet, dog warden or dog rescue centre to scan your dog.

Labrador sitting outside - dog grooming teacher blog

Check the Chip Day – Is your information up-to-date?

Microchips provide dog owners with peace of mind, but a microchip only works if a) your dog has one and b) its registration information remains accurate.

Remember that if you live in England, Scotland or Wales it is a legal requirement to get your dog fitted with a microchip by the time it’s eight weeks old. Failing to do so could result in a fine of up to £500. By getting a microchip implanted and information stored it means:

  • Your dog can be re-united with you if it is stolen or lost
  • The owners of dogs acting aggressively can be identified
  • The owners of abused dogs can be identified and prosecuted
  • You are respecting and following the law

How to get your dog microchipped

Charities such as Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Dogs Trust and Blue cross centres across the UK may be able to microchip your dog for free or for a small donation. Alternatively, you can pay to have your vet or a trained microchip implanter microchip your dog.

Your dog’s microchip is given a number, which will show up whenever your dog is scanned. Make sure to make a note of your dog’s microchip number so that you can notify the microchip database of any new contact details when needed. You must make sure your dog is registered on one of the following databases:

Keeping your dog’s microchip up-to-date

As a dog owner, you are responsible for keeping your dog’s microchip information up-to-date, for example if you move house or change telephone numbers. To do so, you will need to contact the database company your dog is registered with directly.

If you don’t know which database your dog is registered on, you can check the microchip number for this information by asking a vet, dog warden or dog rescue centre to scan your dog.

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

There are an estimated 370 million indigenous people in the world, living across 90 countries.

Despite making up less than 5 percent of the world’s population, indigenous people account for 15 percent of the poorest. They speak an overwhelming majority of the world’s estimated 7,000 languages and represent 5,000 different cultures.

Indigenous communities maintain unique cultures and ways of life that make them different from the societies in which they live. They have fought for their right to traditional lands and natural resources for years; however, many indigenous peoples share histories of removal from traditional lands, destruction of their cultures, discrimination and widespread violations of their human rights.

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is observed on Thursday 9th August 2018, and encourages people globally to spread the word about the protection and promotion of the rights of indigenous people. The day also recognises the traditions, achievements and contributions that indigenous people make to improve world issues such as environmental protection. To find out more visit the UN website.

Kick-start your career in education at our Potters Bar centre!

Have you been there, done that and got the gown and gloves?

If so, why not share your knowledge and experience of veterinary nursing with the next generation? At The College of Animal Welfare we are currently recruiting for a number of teaching and educational support positions at our Potters Bar centre. Previous experience in education or teaching is not usually required, as successful candidates will join our training programme and be mentored as their career develops.

Take a look at what roles we’re recruiting for below, and make sure to sign up to hear about new vacancies at CAW as they arise…

Veterinary Nursing Lecturer

Due to the continued success and growth of our Potters Bar centre we’re currently recruiting for full time / part time or visiting lecturers.

Lecturing is perfect for those with a genuine enthusiasm and passion for their subject. The position will involve teaching on both the Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing and BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing programmes, as well as supporting the delivery of the centres short courses.

The successful candidate will either be a veterinary surgeon or a degree qualified registered veterinary nurse. Teaching qualifications are desirable but not essential, as full training will be provided. We welcome applications from those who are currently employed in the veterinary profession and wish to explore career development opportunities.

View Job Description | Apply

If you’re interested in becoming a lecturer, but aren’t sure whether it’s for you, read more about what it’s like to be a lecturer at CAW!

Clinical Skills Lecturer

We currently have a permanent vacancy for a Clinical Skills Lecturer at Potters Bar. The position will involve co-facilitating the delivery of practical skills teaching on both the Diploma and BSc (Hons) veterinary nurse programmes and providing NPL support and guidance to clinical coaches and students.

The successful candidate will be either an MRCVS or RVN and have recently acted in either a similar role or be an experienced clinical coach. Excellent communication and organisational skills, a keen eye for detail and a commitment to help students achieve are essential attributes for the role.

View Job Description | Apply

Internal Quality Assurer

Due to expansion we currently have a vacancy for an Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) to join our team at our Potters Bar centre.

As an Internal Quality Assurer, you will have a varied and interesting role providing support to veterinary practices, Clinical Coaches and students both in the workplace and in the college setting.

You will be responsible for managing key relationships between the College and employers and other stakeholders, and for carrying out internal quality assurance of Veterinary Nursing Training.

The successful applicant will be an MRCVS or RVN who can demonstrate excellent communication skills, self-motivation, be highly organised and exhibit attention to detail. If you are looking to further your career in academia this could be the ideal opportunity for you to gain valuable experience.

View Job Description | Apply

If you’re interested in becoming an IQA, but aren’t sure whether it’s for you, read more about what it’s like to work as an IQA for The College of Animal Welfare.

 

If you’re keen to use your knowledge to help the next generation, but can’t see yourself leaving practice, have you considered training as a clinical coach?

Clinical coaches act as a mentor to veterinary nursing students in practice, and support them in completion of their Nursing Progress Log (NPL). We offer free clinical coach training to those working at CAW Training Practices, and those supporting CAW students.
View our upcoming clinical coach training sessions

Kick-start your career in education at our Potters Bar centre!

Have you been there, done that and got the gown and gloves?

If so, why not share your knowledge and experience of veterinary nursing with the next generation? At The College of Animal Welfare we are currently recruiting for a number of teaching and educational support positions at our Potters Bar centre. Previous experience in education or teaching is not usually required, as successful candidates will join our training programme and be mentored as their career develops.

Take a look at what roles we’re recruiting for below, and make sure to sign up to hear about new vacancies at CAW as they arise…

Veterinary Nursing Lecturer

Due to the continued success and growth of our Potters Bar centre we’re currently recruiting for full time / part time or visiting lecturers.

Lecturing is perfect for those with a genuine enthusiasm and passion for their subject. The position will involve teaching on both the Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing and BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing programmes, as well as supporting the delivery of the centres short courses.

The successful candidate will either be a veterinary surgeon or a degree qualified registered veterinary nurse. Teaching qualifications are desirable but not essential, as full training will be provided. We welcome applications from those who are currently employed in the veterinary profession and wish to explore career development opportunities.

View Job Description | Apply

If you’re interested in becoming a lecturer, but aren’t sure whether it’s for you, read more about what it’s like to be a lecturer at CAW!

Clinical Skills Lecturer

We currently have a permanent vacancy for a Clinical Skills Lecturer at Potters Bar. The position will involve co-facilitating the delivery of practical skills teaching on both the Diploma and BSc (Hons) veterinary nurse programmes and providing NPL support and guidance to clinical coaches and students.

The successful candidate will be either an MRCVS or RVN and have recently acted in either a similar role or be an experienced clinical coach. Excellent communication and organisational skills, a keen eye for detail and a commitment to help students achieve are essential attributes for the role.

View Job Description | Apply

Internal Quality Assurer

Due to expansion we currently have a vacancy for an Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) to join our team at our Potters Bar centre.

As an Internal Quality Assurer, you will have a varied and interesting role providing support to veterinary practices, Clinical Coaches and students both in the workplace and in the college setting.

You will be responsible for managing key relationships between the College and employers and other stakeholders, and for carrying out internal quality assurance of Veterinary Nursing Training.

The successful applicant will be an MRCVS or RVN who can demonstrate excellent communication skills, self-motivation, be highly organised and exhibit attention to detail. If you are looking to further your career in academia this could be the ideal opportunity for you to gain valuable experience.

View Job Description | Apply

If you’re interested in becoming an IQA, but aren’t sure whether it’s for you, read more about what it’s like to work as an IQA for The College of Animal Welfare.

 

If you’re keen to use your knowledge to help the next generation, but can’t see yourself leaving practice, have you considered training as a clinical coach?

Clinical coaches act as a mentor to veterinary nursing students in practice, and support them in completion of their Nursing Progress Log (NPL). We offer free clinical coach training to those working at CAW Training Practices, and those supporting CAW students.
View our upcoming clinical coach training sessions

Megan Davies wins nomination for teaching awards ceremony

CAW Lecturer nominated for Academic Staff Member of the Year award!

We would like to say a massive congratulations to Megan Davies, BSc Veterinary Nursing Lecturer at our Potters Bar centre, who was nominated for the ‘Academic Staff Member of the Year’ award, as part of this year’s Student Led Teaching Awards Ceremony at Middlesex University.

The annual Awards Ceremony, hosted by the Middlesex University Student’s Union, celebrates inspiring, innovative and supportive staff at Middlesex University. They received an incredible 600 nominations from students, showcasing a wide variety of excellent teaching.

Megan collected her commemorative mug on graduation day, and is pictured below at Hendon campus. Congratulations!

Megan Davies Student-Led Teaching Awards

Here’s what Megan’s students had to say about her teaching:

‘Megan is very committed to her job. She clearly spends most of her time preparing for inspiring lectures. Even though she is teaching a very difficult subject, she can make me and other students understand how the anatomy of animals work. I am impressed by her knowledge and her engagement in the subject’

‘Megan combines lectures with practical sessions. She comes up with things for us to do, which will suit all types of learners. After discussing a topic, she has papers for us to fill out, or work with skeletons and stuffed animals. This makes it easier to actually understand what we are going through during the lectures.’

‘Megan can answer any questions we ask her, she can discuss all anatomy questions in a way for us to understand. Of her explanations, it is easy to understand that she has exceptional knowledge of her subject.’

 

 

Rabbit nursing CPD courses

Be the rabbit nurse you’ve always wanted to be!

Are you a vet nurse and passionate about rabbits? 

Join rabbit enthusiast, Claire Speight RVN C&G Cert VNES, on Friday 24 August at Leeds and find out how you can best care for rabbits in veterinary practice, as well as provide clear information to owners on how to enrich the lives of their rabbits.

Claire holds the City & Guilds Veterinary Nursing of Exotic Species certificate, works in a practice with a high rabbit caseload, and is a regular contributor to veterinary journals as well as being the editor of Rabbiting On; the Rabbit Welfare Association’s magazine.

Providing Gold Standard Rabbit Client Care (9am-12pm) will look at how we can provide information to owners that really makes a difference to their rabbits; whether that be via rabbit clinics, information evenings or just one-to-one advice.

Make Yourself the Rabbit Nurse You Want To Be (1-4pm) will look at how we can ensure that rabbits receive the nursing care that best suits their special requirements; exploring diseases, looking at an overview of their bodily systems and discovering clinical techniques such as IV catheter placement, blood sampling and assisted feeding.

A discount of £10 for each half-day course is available for student veterinary nurses. If you’re a student looking to book at the discounted rate, please call us on 01480 422060.

Book a place online today!