Record Number Of Entrants For Royal Canin Pet Health Counsellor Initiative

Pictured is the group of 2011 finalists in the “2011 Royal Canin Pet Health Counsellor of the Year Award” with front row left to right runner-up Sian Ferris, Sarah Heath, Anna Prest (Royal Canin), winner Becky Hussey, Sue Badger (BVNA President) and third placed Lana Goulding. Becky Hussey, a vet nurse from Hollybush Veterinary Group in Bridgnorth, entered The Royal Canin Pet Health Counsellor (PHC) of the Year Award last year, but was not selected as a finalist. This made her even more determined to win this prestigious award and all of her hard work has paid off. Becky Hussey has been announced as the winner of the “2011 Royal Canin Pet Health Counsellor of the Year Award”. Second prize was awarded to Sian Ferris from The Smart Clinic in Cardiff and third place to Lana Goulding of Claremont Vet Group, Bexhill-on-Sea. Becky’s entry this year detailed the many activities she undertakes, in addition to her daily duties, at the practice where she works. These comprise of various client pet clinics including “Choose a pet” advice service, client competitions, numerous advertorials to help raise the practice group’s profile and lots of charity fund-raising. She was also part of the team whose hard work resulted in the practice being granted RCVS Accreditation. The PHC of the Year scheme has been running for over sixteen years and this year saw a record number of entrants for judge and well-known pet behaviourist Sarah Heath, BVSc, MRCVS, to assess. As part of the initiative, participants receive specialist training of a wide variety of topics, highly relevant to veterinary nurses’ growing involvement in veterinary practice. The original aim of the PHC programme was to help veterinary nurses to improve their knowledge and skills to enable them to be even more confident when advising clients and developing clinics. Whilst this aim still holds true, a veterinary nurse achieving PHC status is now widely recognised as a valuable asset to a practice, as well as significantly enhancing personal development.

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