Author Archives: Amber Tennant

Mental Health Awareness Week: E&D Competition of the Month!

mental health awareness week blog featured imageThis month’s prize competition topic is Mental Health Awareness Week – enter and be in with a chance to win a £20 amazon voucher!

Mental Health Awareness Week will take place from 8-14 May 2017. This year’s theme is ‘Surviving or Thriving?’ which aims to look at mental health from a new angle. Rather than ask why so many people are living with mental health problems, the theme seeks to uncover why too few of us are thriving with good mental health. This includes exploring the difference between surviving or thriving, why some communities are under strain and what government can to do support them, and what steps we can take to look after our mental health and build resilience to cope with the demands of life.

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 Mental Health Awareness Week to marketing@caw.ac.uk by Thursday 25 May 2017.

What you choose to submit is open to your interpretation. This means you can enter anything you feel is relevant. This could be anything from artwork and videos, to personal stories, blogs, fundraising efforts or poems.

If you’re struggling to think of ideas, you could send us…

  • Personal stories – Just as people are not defined by their physical injuries and disabilities, mental illness is not a character flaw and is not a sign of personal weakness. Sharing a personal story is a great way to open up an honest discussion and break down stigma.
  • News reports – Mental health problems are incredibly common. It is estimated that 1 in 6 people in the past week have experienced a common mental health problem. You could research what is being done in your area to prioritise mental health and report back.
  • Blogs – Blogging is one of the most accessible ways to share your ideas with others. There are endless possibilities when it comes to what you can write about. This could include how we can better manage our mental health, how we can support people we know when they’re struggling, or how we can improve mental wellbeing in the workplace!

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, staff and clinical coaches working with The College of Animal Welfare. Entries should be sent to marketing@caw.ac.uk, or handed in to College, by Thursday 25 May 2017.

April E&D Competition Winner Announced

Congratulations to Emma Onyejekwe, Level 3 Veterinary Nursing student at Potters Bar, for winning our April Equality & Diversity competition. During April , the College invited students and staff to submit entries around the theme of International Mother Earth Day; to which Emma submitted an excellent photograph raising awareness of the Barbary Macaque, an endangered species.

On submission of the photo, Emma said: “I took this photograph when I visited Ouzoud Falls in the Atlas Mountains, Morocco. I love this photograph, because it captures the beauty of nature and why we should protect it. About three-quarters of the worlds population of Barbary macaques are located in the Atlas mountains. They have been declared as an endangered species by the IUCN in 2009. This is because they are losing their habitat to human activity, such as logging and overgrazing. They are also under threat for illegal poaching for the pet trade. There are many conservation efforts taking place, and I feel it is important to bring awareness on how human activity is effecting wildlife. If we continue we could lose certain species of animals, like these Barbary macaques.”

Barbary Macaque Image

Congratulations Emma!

This month’s competition theme is ‘Mental Health Awareness Week’ 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, or raise awareness of, the topic to marketing@caw.ac.uk (or hand in to a College centre) by Thursday 25 May 2017. Ideas for entries include poems, videos, artwork, personal stories etc. and all students, staff and clinical coaches working with The College of Animal Welfare are welcome to enter. Good luck!

New DNA testing scheme for Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla

The Kennel Club has approved a new official DNA testing scheme for hyperuricosuria (HUU) in the Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla, following consultation with the breed health coordinator on behalf of the Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla Association.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “The popularity of the Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla has been slowly increasing over the past decade and the population is now more than double what it was ten years ago, so we are pleased to be announcing this new DNA test for the breed. It will further help breeders make informed decisions when it comes to breeding, enable potential puppy buyers to be aware of issues which could affect their chosen breed, and ultimately protect and maintain the health of the breed.”

Further information can be found on The Kennel Club website.

rabbit welfare survey featured image

Play your part in improving rabbit welfare!

rabbit welfare survey featured image

Are you a veterinary surgeon or veterinary nurse?

If so, you can play your part in improving rabbit welfare in clinics by taking part in an online study!

The University of Bristol’s Animal Welfare and Behaviour Group is calling on vets and VNs for help in further understanding how pain is treated in rabbits. The online study will explore vets and VNs perception of pain in pet rabbits.

Researchers hope the results will help them to better understand thinking on recognition and amelioration of pain in rabbits and improve their welfare while in clinic.

Get involved

The study has been approved by the Faculty of Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee. All data collected will be anonymous unless respondents provide contact details for further studies. Complete the survey here if you’re a vet, or here if you’re a VN.

 

Health and Fitness Tip of the Week: Family and Friends

Research has shown that having good, strong relationships with our family and friends is important for our mental wellbeing. These connections can provide us with emotional support, and allow us to feel happy and secure. Busy schedules and modern living can make this difficult.

These top tips can help to build these relationships:

  • Make time for family/dependents. Arrange an activity for the family to do together; this could be swimming, arts & crafts, or a family walk!
  • You may have a family member or friend that needs company or support. Making time to visit them will not only help your mental wellbeing, but theirs also.
  • Catch up! Make some time with friends who you haven’t seen for some time.
  • Long distance relationships – use FaceTime or Skype to stay connected to those who live further away!

For more information or tips on improving the wellbeing of you and family & friends, please visit the page ‘Connect for Mental Wellbeing’ by following this link: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/Pages/connect-for-mental-wellbeing.aspx

Health and Fitness Tip of the Week: 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.

http://www.lifehack.org/317747/scientists-find-15-amazing-benefits-listening-music

Health and Fitness Tip of the Week: Pros and cons of the Caffeine Boost

We often hear people saying they ‘need a caffeine boost’ or they ‘have had too much caffeine for one day’ and it can regularly be received with negative connotations.

However, more and more research is coming forward to suggest caffeine can actually be beneficial for our health.

Researchers have observed that small doses of caffeine consumed one hour before exercise can improve your performance and may increase the use of fat as fuel – win win!

Additionally, recent research has shown you may be at a lower risk of heart disease if you drink between one and four cups of coffee each day and similarly, this can also help to protect against diabetes.  Along with these medical benefits, a study from Harvard School of Public Health has also suggested drinking between two to four cups of coffee a day may reduce suicide risks in adults, implying benefits to our wellbeing too.

But we should not just talk about coffee here. Did you know that tea leaves actually contain more caffeine than coffee beans before they are brewed? (However, once prepared tea is often more diluted than coffee!) And not to mention certain fizzy drinks, energy drinks… and even chocolate!

Of course, it is not all positive, there is always a catch!  We must remember caffeine is a natural stimulant which can be addictive and can have negative effects on your sleep pattern and on anxiety.

However, as with most things in life, when consumed in moderation and with a healthy balance there seems to be as many pros as cons, if not more!..  So go on, go and stick the kettle on!

https://authoritynutrition.com/what-is-caffeine/

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/271707.php

https://www.theguardian.com/notesandqueries/query/0,5753,-25502,00.html

TP Congress 2017

TP Congress 2017 is a massive hit with delegates!

TP Congress 2017, our annual event dedicated exclusively to clinical coaches in veterinary practice, was a massive hit! We saw over 100 attendees come together to explore the latest topics and news on veterinary nurse training.

Due to the fantastic feedback received about last year’s venue, TP Congress returned to the beautiful Whittlebury Hall Hotel and Spa near Silverstone in Northamptonshire, providing onsite accommodation for delegates who had travelled some distance to attend. A commercial exhibition was held throughout the congress, as well as a drinks reception on the first evening; giving delegates the perfect opportunity to network and share experiences with fellow clinical coaches.

This year’s congress was sponsored by VN Times, and included lectures on student wellbeing, advice on legal obligations, lectures on the Nursing Progress Log (NPL) and updates on the VN Futures project. Congress delegate, Hannah Smallwood, Clinical Coach at Rhyd Broughton Vets, said: “I found the congress reassuring and informative. I will now go back and continue to find pleasure in my role as a clinical coach after listening to peers and specialists alike. Thank you so much for a boost in confidence. Priceless.”

Karen Davidson, Vice Principal at The College of Animal Welfare and Chairman of TP Congress 2017, said: “With the continuing nationwide shortage of qualified nursing staff, it is more important than ever that training providers and practices work together to provide much needed training opportunities within the industry. It is always a pleasure to see so many enthusiastic clinical coaches come together under one roof, and we are very much looking forward to seeing how this event progresses in the future.”

Plans are already underway for TP Congress 2018, taking place from 19-20 March 2018. Those interested in attending future events can register their interest at www.caw.ac.uk/tpc

TP Congress 2017 is a massive hit with delegates!

TP Congress 2017, an annual event dedicated exclusively to clinical coaches in veterinary practice, was a massive hit; seeing over 100 attendees come together to explore the latest topics and news on veterinary nurse training.

Due to the fantastic feedback received about last year’s venue, TP Congress returned to the beautiful Whittlebury Hall Hotel and Spa near Silverstone in Northamptonshire, providing onsite accommodation for delegates who had travelled some distance to attend. A commercial exhibition was held throughout the congress, as well as a drinks reception on the first evening; giving delegates the perfect opportunity to network and share experiences with fellow clinical coaches.

This year’s congress was sponsored by VN Times, and included lectures on student wellbeing, advice on legal obligations, lectures on the Nursing Progress Log (NPL) and updates on the VN Futures project. Congress delegate, Hannah Smallwood, Clinical Coach at Rhyd Broughton Vets, said: “I found the congress reassuring and informative. I will now go back and continue to find pleasure in my role as a clinical coach after listening to peers and specialists alike. Thank you so much for a boost in confidence. Priceless.”

 Karen Davidson, Vice Principal at The College of Animal Welfare and Chairman of TP Congress 2017, said: “With the continuing nationwide shortage of qualified nursing staff, it is more important than ever that training providers and practices work together to provide much needed training opportunities within the industry. It is always a pleasure to see so many enthusiastic clinical coaches come together under one roof, and we are very much looking forward to seeing how this event progresses in the future.”

Plans are already underway for TP Congress 2018, taking place from 19-20 March 2018. Those interested in attending future events can register their interest at www.caw.ac.uk/tpc

– 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

 

BVA urges dog owners to keep microchipping details up-to-date

 

microchipping blog featured imageBVA urges dog owners to keep microchipping details up-to-date

A survey conducted by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) has revealed that two in five (44%) vets cannot reunite missing or stray dogs with their owners due to incorrect microchipping dabase information. This comes one year after the introduction of compulsory microchipping for dogs in England, Scotland and Wales.

BVA’s Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey found that seven and 10 vets believe that the majority of dogs they see in practice have been microchipped in line with legislation. However, a microchipped dog that has out of date contact details on the microchipping database means it is very difficult for vets to reunite them with their owners.

Updating information on the microchip database as soon as a dog or you have a new address is vital. This is to ensure dogs are not lost and owners are not hit by avoidable heartache.

Further information can be found on the BVA website.