Kirsty Cavill has been named ‘Vet Nurse of the Year 2022’ by Blue Cross pet charity. Kirsty, who is Head Vet Nurse at The Vet Connection in Leatherhead, won the award as an advocate for senior patients and the day to day management to support those pets in chronic pain from arthritis, making a significant impact on their welfare.
She was also nominated for going above and beyond with her volunteering roles. She is a volunteer veterinary nurse advisor with Canine Arthritis Management (CAM) and also a volunteer Veterinary Street Nurse team lead and committee member, providing free veterinary care and support for homeless pet owners. Kirsty uses her nursing and rehabilitation skills to support senior dogs and those with mobility related issues living on the streets with their owners, by arranging and attending regular outreach sessions with her StreetVet colleagues in Plymouth.
Paul Manktelow, Director of Veterinary Clinical Services at Blue Cross said: “Kirsty has fully embraced the opportunity, potential and diversity that’s possible within a veterinary nurse career. She continually demonstrates passion for animal welfare, for giving back to society and inspiring others in the profession. she truly deserves this award and is an inspiration to us all.”
Kirsty was presented with her award during the British Veterinary Nurse Association (BVNA) Congress in Telford on Saturday 8 October.
Kirsty said: “I was extremely surprised and truly humbled to have been given this prestigious award. Being entrusted to care for an owner’s beloved pet and helping to facilitate the human – animal bond is a privilege, which I never take for granted. To be recognised by the Blue Cross in this way, is an absolute honour.”
2022 is the 125th anniversary of Blue Cross, originally ‘Our Dumb Friends League’. The charity formed to help vulnerable pets and their owners and we continue this work today across our rehoming, clinical, animal behaviour, pet bereavement support and educational work. We are striving to be able to help even more pets in the future live healthy lives in happy homes. Blue Cross relies on the support and donations of pet lovers to continue our vital work, to find out more and make a donation visit www.bluecross.org.uk/125-years-of-blue-cross
Congratulations