Kim Cunningham Is Royal Canin’s First Ever Irish Pet Health Counsellor Weigh-in Club Competition Winner

Kim (right) with her prize Kim Cunningham, a Pet Health Counsellor (PHC) from Bairbre O’Malley Veterinary Hospital, Bray, Co. Wicklow, has been named the winner of Royal Canin’s inaugural Irish PHC Weigh-in Club Competition. Beating off 25 other finalists, Kim was crowned champion of Ireland’s first exclusive PHC competition and awarded an Amazon Kindle Fire. Running from January to April 2013, the competition called for Ireland-based PHC’s to submit at least three successful weight loss cases using Royal Canin’s ‘Satiety Support’ or ‘Obesity Management’ products with supporting photographic evidence and testimonials. Winner Kim was praised for her submission which included the five cases losing a combined weight of 27kg. The second and third place winners received luxury coffee machines for their practice. The competition was launched in November 2012 during a development day which provided 26 of Royal Canin’s PHCs the opportunity to share ideas and best practice and learn about topics such as weight loss clinics, skin diseases and waiting room displays. Attendees were also treated to a dog and handler demonstration by guest speaker Duncan Mullen from Ireland’s Customs and Excise. Louise Brennan, Veterinary Business Manager at Royal Canin, Ireland said: “Substantial canine and feline weight gain is an ever-growing concern in the industry and it’s crucial that Pet Health Counsellors educate pet owners about obesity and how to monitor it, but also the importance in advising the right nutrition and an exercise plan for the pet involved. The competition is a celebration of those leading the way to tackle the problem to ensure cats and dogs live a longer and healthier life.” Commenting on her win, Kim said: “I’m delighted to be Royal Canin’s first winner, particularly as it’s the only competition of its kind in Ireland. The development day provided me with some really useful tools to go back to my clinic with and put into practice and it’s great to have those efforts rewarded.” Royal Canin is still calling on all oversized pets to fight the flab in a battle to become the next UK and Ireland ‘Weigh-in Club’ winner. The competition for Vet Nurses is open to those whose clients have undergone a supervised weight loss programme whilst using Royal Canin’s ‘Obesity Management’ and ‘Satiety Support’ diets. Vet Nurses can register online for this year’s Weigh-in Club by visiting www.weighinclub.royalcanin.co.uk. The winner and runners up will be decided at the end of November.

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