The results are in for Northern Ireland Vet Nurse of the Year Awards and this year Belfast has made a clean sweep.
This years winners are:
- Vet Nurse of the Year – Lesley O’Neill
- Student Vet Nurse of the Year – Michelle Darby
- Veterinary Customer Care representative – Alison Fletcher
A special recognition award went to Louise Richards from the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise’s (CAFRE) Greenmount Campus – the only centre in Northern Ireland to offer the Veterinary Nursing course approved by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Lesley O’Neill of Braemar Veterinary Clinic and now NI Vet Nurse of the Year has been a vet nurse for 19 years, yet her enthusiasm remains undiminished. Colleagues described her as ‘warm and empathetic taking time to reassure clients their pet is in safe hands’ and ‘extending the same love and devotion to her own pets to the patients under her care.’
Michelle Darby of Balmoral Veterinary Centre who was described as ‘extremely dedicated to animal care both inside the practice and out.’ She has a natural gift in handling animals and her ‘happy and calm attitude brings a positive and relaxed atmosphere to the practice.’
Alison Fletcher of Cedar Grove Veterinary Clinic, received a flurry of nominations from clients and colleagues alike. Alison gained her position as Head of Customer Care after 20 years in veterinary nursing and practice. Her ‘wealth of knowledge’ and ‘incredible memory for client and pet names’ has proved invaluable.
The awards rely on nominations and are judged by the British Veterinary Nursing Association Presidents, President of the Association of Veterinary Surgeons Practising in Northern Ireland and Hill’s Pet Nutrition representing a sponsor.
The winners all receive trophies and gift vouchers and their wins are celebrated at the AVSPNI/BVNA Congress.
The winners receive their prizes. Left to right: Diane Young (BVNA Regional Co-ordinator NI), Louise Richards (Greenmount), Fiona Andrew (BVNA President), Melanie Sphan ( President AVSPNI) Joanna Mcnally (Hills Pet Nutrition) Lesley O’Neill (Braemar) Michelle Darby (Balmoral)