Rabbit Vet of the Year - Madonna Livingstone
The Veterinary Professionals And Practices Crowned Champions In The National Burgess Excel Vet Awards 2022
1 year ago 
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The organisers of the Burgess Excel Vet Awards, which celebrate the dedication and hard work of veterinary practices and individuals who work year-round to improve the lives of domestic rabbits and guinea pigs in the UK, have announced this year’s winners.
A judging panel comprising industry experts, veterinary professionals and rabbit specialists have chosen one winner from each of seven categories, who will receive a cash prize of £250 along with a Burgess Excel Vet Awards trophy.
Working in partnership with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF), this year’s winners were judged on a range of criteria including evidence of outstanding knowledge of rabbit care and husbandry, and continued commitment to educating the public on how to care for rabbits correctly. The same criteria was applied when choosing a winner for Guinea Pig-friendly Practice of the Year.
This year’s winners and final shortlist for each category are as follows:
Rabbit Vet of the Year
Winner
- Dr Madonna Livingstone, Ark Veterinary Clinic, Coatbridge
Shortlisted
- Dr Amy Reynolds, Highcroft Vet Group, Bristol
- Dr Jenna Richardson, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Edinburgh
- Dr Molly Varga Smith, Rutland House Exotics, St Helens
- Dr Heather Westron, Alma Veterinary Surgery, Scarborough
Rabbit Vet Nurse of the Year
Winner
- Abi Nell, Mill House Vets, Kings Lynn
Shortlisted
- Heidi Barringer, Woodgreen Pets Charity, Godmanchester
- Laura Chivers, Plymouth Veterinary Group, Plymouth
- Sophie Enticknap, Vets4Pets, Hayling Island
- Emma Jeffrey, Galedin Vets, Berwick-upon-Tweed
Rabbit-friendly Veterinary Practice of the Year
Winner
- Origin Vets Clinic, Cardiff
Shortlisted
- Ashleigh Vets, Manchester
- Suffolk Exotic Vets, Wangford, Suffolk
- Valley Exotics, Cardiff
- Westfield Vets, Wells
Rabbit Support Staff of the Year
Winner
- Paiton Barker, Woodgreen Pets Charity, Godmanchester
Shortlisted
- Jo Hambling, Suffolk Exotic Vets, Wangford, Suffolk
- Khloe McNeill, Braid Vets, Edinburgh
- Carly Sedgemore, Bridges Vets, Cardiff
- Sophie Staniland, Valley Vet Hospital, Cardiff
Rabbit Student of the Year
Winner
- Maria Jackson, Royal Veterinary College, Hertfordshire
Shortlisted
- Joshua Sancho, Blue Cross Animal Hospital, London
Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) Campaign of the Year
Winner
- Plymouth Vet Group, Plymouth
Shortlisted
- Mill House Vets, Kings Lynn
- Medivet, Burton-on-Trent
- Suffolk Exotic Vets, Wangford, Suffolk
Guinea Pig-friendly Veterinary Practice of the Year
Winner
- Holly House Vets, Leeds
Shortlisted
- Arun Vet Group, Chichester
- Derwent Valley Vets, Matlock
- Westfield Vets, Wells
- Woodlands Veterinary Group, Ivybridge
Dr Madonna Livingstone, winner of Rabbit Vet of the Year, said: - “To have reached the finals again was fantastic, but to have actually won the award is completely overwhelming, especially considering how brilliant the other finalists are. I am a firm believer that rabbits - and all other species - deserve the same high level of care as dogs and cats and knowing how many other veterinary professionals feel the same makes rabbits the ultimate winners every time!”
Abi Nell, winner of Rabbit Nurse of the Year, said: - “"I am really thrilled to have been chosen for this award. I love meeting and connecting with clients; being able to offer tips and advice for the best care for their rabbits is my favourite part of my job. When a client calls the practice to ask for my advice instead of relying on an internet search, that is when I know I have really made an impact and developed a relationship with the pet owners.”
Dr Agata Witkowska from Holly House Vets, winner of Guinea Pig-Friendly Practice of the Year, said: - “The entire team at Holly House Vets is absolutely overjoyed to find out we have won. We have been working very hard on developing our exotic animal service over the past few years; ensuring we make guinea pigs as comfortable as possible when hospitalised; constantly reviewing our protocols; and undertaking further studies in the field, as well as having a hospital that is open 24/7 to look after our patients.”
Dr Suzanne Moyes MVB MRCVS, Burgess Excel Awards judge and Veterinary Director at Burgess Pet Care, said: - “On behalf of the judging panel, I would like to offer our huge congratulations to the winners of this year’s Burgess Excel Vet Awards, who are clearly committed to improving the lives of rabbits and guinea pigs in the UK. We are so grateful to everyone who took the time to nominate the practices and individuals who are regularly going that extra mile to ensure to ensure these wonderful creatures receive the very best of care.
“We received hundreds of applications for this year’s awards; the quality of entries was overwhelming and gave the judges an incredibly difficult job. Everyone who made the shortlist should be very proud of their achievement.”
Future announcements about the Burgess Excel Vet Awards 2023, including information on how to nominate and apply, will be announced on the Burgess Pet Care website next year.
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