Author Archives: Amber Tennant

“We’ve left feeling excited and inspired!” Careers With Animals Day is a massive hit with visitors!

The College of Animal Welfare’s annual Careers With Animals Day was the place to be on Saturday 14 October, as hundreds of people of all ages and backgrounds flocked to the College’s centre in Tingley to find out more about how they could turn their dream of working with animals into a reality.

With over 350 visitors dropping in to speak to exhibitors and attend careers talks, an excellent day was had by all. Careers talks running throughout the day covered everything from veterinary nursing and dog grooming, to wildlife conservation and veterinary medicine. One visitor said: “Everyone was very helpful [and I] loved the career talks. I’ve come away today knowing how to get into what I want to do with my career.” Another, “We’ve left feeling excited and inspired!”

Claire Gregory, Short Course and Events Administrator at the College, who organised the event, said: “It was great to see so many people coming together to get the advice and information they needed to take their career in a new direction! Working with animals can be incredibly rewarding and there are such a wide range of opportunities to choose from” She added: “We were lucky to receive support from a wide variety of fantastic organisations, who both exhibited and delivered careers talks for the event, and we would like to thank them all for their help in making the day such a huge success.”

Preparations for next year’s event are already underway; details will be available shortly at www.careerswithanimals.co.uk

For those who missed the event, but are interested in finding out more about the courses available at the College, the next course open day is Wednesday 25 October 2017 from 6-8pm. Further details can be found at www.caw.ac.uk.

– 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

image of lucy aust

Lucy Aust wins free veterinary receptionist training place!

“The key to great customer service is a smile, a friendly face, an understanding voice, a shoulder to cry on, [and] always be[ing] there to help in any way.” – Lucy Aust, Towcester Vets

The winner of our ‘fill in the blank’ competition, run over three days at the recent British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) Congress 2017, is Lucy Aust from Towcester Vets!

Entrants were asked to show their creative sides by completing the sentence “The Key to Great Customer Service is…”. Lucy’s winning entry (shown above) was chosen by College Principal, Barbara Cooper, as the most thoughtful response out of the sixty competition entries received.

As the winner of the competition, Lucy receives a free place on the VetSkill Level 2 Certificate for Veterinary Receptionists qualification run by The College of Animal Welfare.  A worthy winner, on her role with Towcester Vets Lucy said: “I joined Towcester Vets in Jan 2016 as a member of the reception team. I really enjoy working with an amazing team every day, meeting our clients & all their pets.”

The VetSkill Level 2 Certificate for Veterinary Receptionists is designed to provide key receptionist skills tailored to a veterinary practice setting. Run on an online, distance learning, basis the programme allows learners to study alongside any existing commitments, from work or home. Further information can be found at www.caw.ac.uk/vetr or by calling the College on 01480 422060.

 

Lucy Aust wins free veterinary receptionist training place!

“The key to great customer service is a smile, a friendly face, an understanding voice, a shoulder to cry on, [and] always be[ing] there to help in any way.” – Lucy Aust, Towcester Vets

The winner of The College of Animal Welfare’s ‘fill in the blank’ competition, run over three days at the recent British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) Congress 2017, is Lucy Aust from Towcester Vets!

Entrants were asked to show their creative sides by completing the sentence “The Key to Great Customer Service is…”. Lucy’s winning entry (shown above) was chosen by College Principal, Barbara Cooper, as the most thoughtful response out of the sixty competition entries received.

As the winner of the competition, Lucy receives a free place on the VetSkill Level 2 Certificate for Veterinary Receptionists qualification run by The College of Animal Welfare.  A worthy winner, on her role with Towcester Vets Lucy said: “I joined Towcester Vets in Jan 2016 as a member of the reception team. I really enjoy working with an amazing team every day, meeting our clients & all their pets.”

Tracey Croucher, Short Course and Events Manager at The College of Animal Welfare, added: “On behalf of everyone at the College, I’d like to congratulate Lucy on winning the competition and thank everyone that took part.”

The VetSkill Level 2 Certificate for Veterinary Receptionists is designed to provide key receptionist skills tailored to a veterinary practice setting. Run on an online, distance learning, basis the programme allows learners to study alongside any existing commitments, from work or home. Further information can be found at www.caw.ac.uk/vetr or by calling the College on 01480 422060.

– Ends –

For more information please contact:
Alison German RVN
Senior Marketing and Communications Coordinator
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

crates of vegetables - world food day

World Food Day (16 October)

Today is World Food day! After a period of steady decline, global hunger levels have risen for the first time this century, now affecting 11 percent of the global population. The estimated number of undernourished people increased from 777 million in 2015 to 815 million in 2016.**

Conflicts and climate related disasters stall food production and break down vital infrastructures. This causes chronic undernourishment in countries already struggling with food insecurity.

Crucially, food poverty is not just a problem unique to developing nations.

The UK may be the seventh richest country in the world, but rising living costs combined with stagnating wages is leaving many people struggling to afford food.

  • It is estimated that over 500,000 people in the UK are now relying on food parcels.
  • Over 2 million people in the UK are estimated to be malnourished, and 3 million are at risk of becoming so.
  • 1 in 6 parents have gone without food themselves to afford to feed their families.*
  • One in four low-income families struggle to eat regularly.*

How you can help…

The UK’s largest food bank network The Trussell Trust is always looking for food donations from a standard shopping list. In addition, the organisation needs volunteers to help run food banks. You can find your nearest food bank by entering your postcode on the Trussell Trust website. If you wish to donate food, it is worth calling your local food bank in advance to find out what items they are most in need of.

fat cat with coffee - pet obesity awareness day

Pet Obesity Awareness Day (11 October)

Today is National Pet Obesity Awareness Day (11 October)!

Obesity in pets is becoming common place. The 2014 PDSA Animal Welfare report, estimates that one in three dogs, one in four cats and one in four rabbits in the UK are overweight or obese, and that the proportion of overweight pets will continue to grow.

These finding are a cause for concern as overweight pets are at a higher risk of developing serious health problems such as diabetes mellitus, arthritis, cardiovascular and respiratory problems and some cancers.

Take a look at the most common causes of obesity in pets:

Overfeeding

Overfeeding is a common problem, with many owners being unaware that they are feeding their pet too much. To get a better idea make sure you are reading and following manufacturers feeding guides and adjusting portion sizes appropriately depending on whether your pet is gaining or losing weight.

Feeding treats

Pets can be very persistent when it comes to treats, and it is very easy to give into to those cute, fluffy faces and feed them extra treats now and again. But when this becomes a pattern, obesity becomes more likely. Make sure you’re only feeding your pets treats in moderation.

Exercise

When it comes to exercise, the PDSA report estimates that across the country, six million dogs go for a daily walk shorter than an hour long, and a quarter of a million dogs don’t get walked at all.  It is vital your pet receives exercise that is relevant to their needs in order to keep them fit and prevent obesity!

What to do if your pet is overweight

If you are concerned about your pet’s weight, the best first step is to speak to your vet to get a professional opinion on his/her body condition, and to rule out any potential underlying conditions that may be causing the weight gain. If you find your pet is overweight, your vet can recommend a weight-loss programme to help your pet lose weight in a safe and effective manner. Some practices even offer special weight loss clinics!

Check if your dog or cat is overweight

Annual renewal fees due: RCVS register 2017-18

Calling all veterinary nurses – please remember that annual RCVS register renewal fees for 2017-18 are due shortly.

The RCVS has sent annual renewal notices to the majority of VNs by email, and to 350 VNs by post. SMS reminders will also be sent to those for whom the college holds a mobile number.

If you have not received your annual renewal notice or have any questions about completing your renewal and paying your fees, you can contact the RCVS Registration Department at registration@rcvs.org.uk or on 02072020707.

dog being groomed - bdgc

BDGC 2017 (29 Oct) – there’s still time to register!

The 2017 British Dog Grooming Championship (BDGC) is taking place on Sunday 29 October!

BDGC 2017 will be held at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre, near Leamington Spa, and is sponsored by Pet Dandy – a ‘smart’ tag producer which helps re-unite lost pets with their owners.

The UK’s largest one-day dog grooming event boasts dozens of trade stands and seminars, as well as the excitement of the competition itself.

If you would like to attend, whether as a competitor or as a visitor, there is still time to register. Competitor registration closes on Sunday 22 October 2017, with visitor registration closing a few days later.

The list of this year’s judges and classes are as follows:

Juniors – Georgia Ashton Fuller
Newcomers – Colin Taylor & Julie Harris
Clipped Terriers & Schnauzers – Julie Lalou
Gundogs – Rui da Silva
Handstrip (other) – Peter Ensell
Creative Class – Stuart Simons
Toy/Miniature Poodle – Julie Lalou
Standard Poodle – Linda Barker
Purebred Scissor – Kelly Davis
Workshop – Louisa Tandy & Peter Ensell
Groomer of the Year – Eve Somers

You can enter the competition as a Newcomer, Experienced or Advanced competitor. To find out more about the classes and groups, please visit the BDGC webpage.

Register for BDGC 2017

autumn leaves - health and fitness tips

Health and Fitness Tips of the Month: October

Stoptober

Did you know smoking is the biggest cause of death and illness in the UK? 1 cigarette contains around 4800 chemicals; only 69 are known. Smoking can cause unrepairable damage to our lungs which make it harder for smokers to breathe.

Passive smoking is dangerous because although you can’t see the smoke the chemicals can still be in the air and on clothing. This can increase the chances of a non-smoker developing lung cancer.

If you need advice on how to stop smoking contact your GP or have a look on the NHS website. There are lots of way to assist you in quitting smoking such as the E-cig, nicotine patch, nicotine chewing gum, nasal/mouth spray and tablets.

Stop smoking for 28 days in October for Stoptober and take part in a nationwide challenge!

Water

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommends an intake of 2.5 litres of water for men and 2.0 litres of water for women per day, via food and drink consumption. Of this, they suggest that 70-80% of the daily water intake should come from drinks, and the remaining 20-30% should come from food.” (http://www.naturalhydrationcouncil.org.uk/hydration-facts/)

Based on the above and that a glass is approx. 250ml, you should aim to drink at least:

  • 1750ml (7 cups) to 2000ml (8 cups) men per day
  • 1400ml (5.6 cups) to 1600ml (6.4 cups) women per day
  • Or a glass of water every 2 to 3 hours (based on a 14 hour day)
  • Or 2.5 to 4 glasses during your day at college. (total 625ml to 1000ml)

The Art of Music

When people are looking to enjoy life they often turn to music. Whether it’s a Beatle’s ballad, Mozart’s Requiem or Ed Sheeran’s latest, music plays as a background to our greatest life changing moments.

However, it may be wrong to think of it as just background music. Music can have a much more active effect on our wellbeing. According to scientists music affects the body in physical ways. It can cause changes to the elements that make up our body, how it deals with situations.

It is fairly obvious that music can make us happier, it gives us a natural high. But it can also lower stress, help you sleep better, reduce depression, even reduce your need for food and keep you slimmer. Its effects on our body can even make us run faster.

Listening to music helps our brain take in information. It can help you learn, increase your ability to think and your verbal skills. Most importantly it can keep your brain young.

Then there is the known uses of music as medicine. It can help dementia sufferers regain their memory, overcome pain, counteract stroke effects on the brain and help patients prepare for and recover from surgery.

All of these are affected by listening to music but the effects are amplified when the subject is actively involved, either playing music instruments or just simply singing. Music should not stay in the background. Bring it to the front of your life.

 

World Teachers’ Day: Train the next generation of veterinary nurses!

Today is World Teachers’ Day!

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 regularly recruit for a number of teaching positions. Previous experience in teaching is not usually required, as successful candidates will join our teacher training programme and be mentored as their career develops. A list of roles that we have recruited for in 2017 so far can be found below…

Veterinary Nursing Lecturer

Lecturing is perfect for those with a genuine enthusiasm and passion for their subject. As a veterinary nursing lecturer, you would teach on a range of programmes, such as the Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing or BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing programmes. You may also have the opportunity to attend events on behalf of your employer, or teach on short course programmes. Find out more about what it’s like to be a lecturer at CAW

Clinical Tutor

As a clinical tutor you would provide support to veterinary practices and students in college and on placement. You would be responsible for managing key relationships between employers and clinical coaches. Day-to-day you would undertake regular visits to Training Practices to support clinical coaches. You could also be presenting clinical coach training sessions and standardisation events, as well as delivering student support.

Academic Assistant

Academic assistants are responsible for supporting students across a range of courses; liaising with lecturers, student and employers where necessary to help them achieve their qualification.  View the job description

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

View current vacancies at CAW
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Animal abusers to face up to five years in prison under tough new proposals

People who abuse animals in England will face up to five years in prison under tough new proposals.

The Government is planning to raise the maximum sentence from six months in jail.

The new proposals come following a series of shocking animal abuse cases, in which courts said they would have liked to impose tougher sentences if they had the option.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: “We are a nation of animal lovers and so we must ensure that those who commit the most shocking cruelty towards animals face suitably tough punishments.

“These plans will give courts the tools they have requested to deal with the most abhorrent acts.”

As the draft proposals are unlikely to face opposition in Parliament, the new guidelines are expected to come into force early next year.

Further information