Author Archives: Amber Tennant

Rosie Bennett wins place at Head Nurse Congress

The winner of The College of Animal Welfare’s ‘Guess the Animal Tales’ competition, run over three days at BVNA Congress 2016, is Rosie Bennett from Rowe Veterinary Group. Entrants were given ten close-up images of animal tails, and asked to guess which animals the tails belonged to; just twelve entrants guessed all ten tails correctly.

As the winner of the competition, Rosie receives a place at next year’s Head Nurse Congress, taking place from 20-21 May 2017 at Whittlebury Hall Hotel & Spa in Northamptonshire. The prize includes overnight accommodation at Whittlebury Hall, with breakfast, dinner, and access to the hotel and spa facilities.

Tracey Croucher, Short Course and Events Manager, said: “On behalf of everyone at The College of Animal Welfare, I’d like to congratulate Rosie on winning the competition and thank everyone that took part.”

Head Nurse Congress is an annual event run by The College of Animal Welfare for Head Nurses across the UK, talking through some of the biggest management issues facing practices today, and how leaders can get the most out of their teams. Further information can be found at www.caw.ac.uk/hnc or by calling the College on 01480 422060.

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For more information please contact:
Alison German RVN
Marketing Executive
The College of Animal Welfare
Tel: 01480 422060
Email: agerman@caw.ac.uk

Notes to editors:
The College of Animal Welfare is one of the UK’s leading providers of veterinary nurse and animal care training and education; operating from four training centres around the UK.

The College has a well-earned reputation for excellence and has created a number of unique achievements that have created new opportunities for learning.

For more information about The College of Animal Welfare please visit www.caw.ac.uk

Health and Fitness Tip of the Week: Wear it Pink

Did you know around 1 in 8 woman are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime? October is breast cancer awareness month; you can show your support by wearing pink. Checking your breasts regularly can help find any unusual lumps. Early detection increases the chances of a better recovery.

As you get older your chances of getting breast cancer increase but this doesn’t mean you can’t get it at a young age. Reducing your alcohol intake can reduce the chances of getting breast cancer.

Look out for symptoms such as lumps, dents, rashes, swelling, size difference and colour change around the chest area including armpits. If you have any of these symptoms make an appointment with your GP as soon as possible.

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Cancer-of-the-breast-female/Pages/Introduction.aspx
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Cancer-of-the-breast-male/Pages/Introduction.aspx

OSCE Practicals for Clinical Coaches

Ever wanted to know more about the City & Guilds OSCEs?

Then this course is for you!

The day will involve an in-depth look at the current OSCE tasks, including the correct techniques for each task, the recent changes and the common causes of failure.

All the most common OSCEs will be covered, with special attention paid to areas you feel need extra work.

The course is running at our centre in Leeds on Thursday 3 November. To book, please see our website.

 

Health and Fitness Tip of the Week: ADHD awareness

Did you know it is thought that around 2% to 5% of school aged children may have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)? People are commonly diagnosed between age 6 to 12. There is no cure for ADHD but with the right support it can be managed; medication and therapy can help adults deal with the disorder.

The exact cause of ADHD is unknown, however a number of factors is thought to play a part, for instance brain function and structure, premature birth, exposure to certain toxins at a young age and passed on through genetics.

http://www.youngminds.org.uk/for_children_young_people/whats_worrying_you/adhd
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/Pages/Introduction.aspx
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/Pages/Causes.aspx

BVZS issue guidelines for wildlife rescue and rehabilitation

The British Veterinary Zoological Society (BVZS) has issued Guidelines for veterinary surgeons and wildlife professionals working in the field of British native wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. The guidelines clarify the law relating to this area for all stakeholders and promote best practice within wildlife rescue centres.

The guidelines offer support to veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and wildlife rehabilitators, in order to promote and achieve the best possible care and welfare for indigenous British wild animals in accordance with UK law.

Mark Stidworthy, BVZS President, said: “The rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife by veterinary surgeons and wildlife professionals is highly valued by the British public, making a positive contribution to local communities, the health and welfare of individual animals and to conservation. We hope these Guidelines will inform best practice in this area and ensure its continued success.”

The guidelines can be found on the BVZS website.

Health and Fitness Tip of the Week: Stoptober

Did you know smoking is the biggest cause of death and illness in the UK? 1 cigarette contains around 4800 chemicals; only 69 are known. Smoking can cause unrepairable damage to our lungs which make it harder for smokers to breathe.

Passive smoking is dangerous because although you can’t see the smoke the chemicals can still be in the air and on clothing. This can increase the chances of a non-smoker developing lung cancer.

If you need advice on how to stop smoking contact your GP or have a look on their website. There are lots of way to assist you in quitting smoking such as the E-cig, nicotine patch, nicotine chewing gum, nasal/mouth spray and tablets.

Stop smoking for 28 days in October for stoptober and take part in a nationwide challenge!

https://www.nhs.uk/smokefree/stoptober/coming_soon
http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/smoking/Pages/stopsmokingnewhome.aspx

World Mental Health Day

Boost your mental wellbeing this World Mental Health Day

Mental health problems are incredibly common. It is estimated that 1 in 6 people in the past week have experienced a common mental health problem. Just as people are not defined by their physical injuries and disabilities, mental illness is not a character flaw and is not a sign of personal weakness. Defining people by their condition contributes to the stigma attached to mental illness, and prevents people that need help from speaking out.

We can confront that stigma by treating people with mental health problems with dignity and by raising awareness of how we can improve our mental wellbeing in our day to day lives. Mental wellbeing is about being able to cope with everyday troubles and having a positive outlook on life. You could work towards this by:

Accessing mental health services

If you’re struggling with your mental health, there is professional help available. Mental health services are free on the NHS, but in some cases you’ll need a referral from your GP to access them. There are some mental health services that allow people to refer themselves, for example the NHS psychological therapies services (IAPT). If your mental health difficulties are related to stress at work, you can ask your employer what occupational health services are available to you.

Learning new skills

Why not learn a new language or work on your public speaking? Personal achievement can help us to realise our potential and give us a sense of purpose, which boosts self-confidence and mental wellbeing.

Being active

Exercise can be easily shaped into a social activity with friends or family, and the benefits of regular exercise to our mental health have been long documented, improving memory and concentration. Regular physical activity is also found to be a strong complement to therapy as a means to reduce stress levels and the symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders.

Being mindful

It’s easy to get caught up in the stresses and strains of modern life, but research shows that taking just a few minutes out to acknowledge our surroundings in the present moment helps us to better manage our thoughts and emotions. There are a number of free resources available that can help you to make a habit out of meditation.

Surrounding yourself with friends and family

As little as a friend to speak to when we are feeling low can be enough to lift our mood and help us feel more connected to society, reducing stress and anxiety levels. Why not reach out to an old friend that you’ve been meaning to catch up with for ages? 

Spending time away from people who influence your mental health negatively 

Working to reduce the influence that negative people have over your decisions – those that leave you feeling drained by their negativity, criticism or selfishness – means that you are better able to focus on your own needs, ambitions and happiness. Instead, spend more time building relationships with the people that respect and support you.

For more information about World Mental Health Day, please visit the Mental Health Foundation website. Sources of help and guidance can be found at www.mind.org.uk

Mental Health Support at The College of Animal Welfare

As a College, the wellbeing of our students is at the forefront of everything we do. So, we want to make sure that in this time of uncertainty, you still feel supported and know that we are available to offer you any guidance we can.

Togetherall

All staff and students can now access free online mental health and wellbeing support through Togetherall (previously called Big White Wall). This service can be used at any time of the day or night, all year round.

Whether you’re suffering from stress, problems with sleep, feeling low or unable to cope, or simply need someone to talk to, Togetherall can help you get support and learn useful coping strategies to improve mental health and wellbeing. The service enables members to get things off their chest in a safe, anonymous global community. You can access a library of self-care resources and trained professionals are online 24/7 to keep all members safe and provide extra support.

The college will not be informed of those who are signed up to Togetherall or activity on the service unless they are seriously concerned about safety whilst on campus. To join, go to the Togetherall website and sign up under ‘I’m from a university or college’ using a staff or student e-mail address.

College counselling services

In addition to this, we offer a confidential counselling services, with free sessions for students on an ongoing basis (the college is not made aware of any appointments made). The College counsellors are still available via phone, email or video conference:

Jill Dighton

  • Tel: 07925 852 985
  • Email: jill@jdighton.co.uk

Mark Walsh

  • Tel: 07905 611 591
  • Email: mwalsh4@sky.com

Mental health resources

New bite-sized courses set to help dog owners keep their dogs in tip-top condition

Bite-sized dog grooming courses recently developed by The College of Animal Welfare’s dog grooming team, will give dog owners in the Huntingdonshire area the opportunity to learn more about how to care for, and groom, their dog’s coat.

The new, two-part, courses starting in October at our centre in Godmanchester, will begin by allowing the observation of a dog grooming demonstration by a qualified dog groomer in the College’s state-of-the-art grooming parlour; learning about shampoo choices, available equipment and spotting signs of parasites, foreign bodies and matted fur. In part two, dog owners will be able to groom their own dog with trained groomers on hand to guide and advise on the best techniques for their particular dog.

Fiona McDade, Dog Grooming Lecturer, said:  “Our grooming school has an excellent reputation locally and, after taking on board the repeated requests of our clients for these courses, we’re really excited to now be in a position to offer them”. She continued “Regular grooming is so important; it can help identify any lumps and bumps, increase the bond between dog and owner, and prevent potential medical problems such as grass seeds in paws and ears”.

Priced at just £20, places on the October and November courses can be booked online now at www.caw.ac.uk/cpd.

New bite-sized courses set to help dog owners keep their dogs in tip-top condition

Bite-sized dog grooming courses recently developed by The College of Animal Welfare’s dog grooming team, will give dog owners in the Huntingdonshire area the opportunity to learn more about how to care for, and groom, their dog’s coat.

The new, two-part, courses starting in October at the College’s education and training centre in Godmanchester, will begin by allowing the observation of a dog grooming demonstration by a qualified dog groomer in the College’s state-of-the-art grooming parlour; learning about shampoo choices, available equipment and spotting signs of parasites, foreign bodies and matted fur. In part two, dog owners will be able to groom their own dog with trained groomers on hand to guide and advise on the best techniques for their particular dog.

Fiona McDade, Dog Grooming Lecturer, said:  “Our grooming school has an excellent reputation locally and, after taking on board the repeated requests of our clients for these courses, we’re really excited to now be in a position to offer them”. She continued “Regular grooming is so important; it can help identify any lumps and bumps, increase the bond between dog and owner, and prevent potential medical problems such as grass seeds in paws and ears”.

Priced at just £20, places on the October and November courses can be booked online now at www.caw.ac.uk/cpd

– Ends –

For more information please contact:
Alison German RVN
Marketing Executive
The College of Animal Welfare
Tel: 01480 422060
Email: agerman@caw.ac.uk

Notes to editors:
The College of Animal Welfare is one of the UK’s leading providers of veterinary nurse and animal care training and education; operating from four training centres around the UK.

The College has a well-earned reputation for excellence and has created a number of unique achievements that have created new opportunities for learning.

For more information about The College of Animal Welfare please visit www.caw.ac.uk

 

 

Annual renewal fee deadline for veterinary nurses fast approaching

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has sent its annual notice to the majority of veterinary nurses, noting that the annual renewal fee of £61 required for continued registration on the VN register is due by 1 November. The renewal fee can be paid online using a debit or credit card, or by cheque, bank draft or bank transfer.

If a veterinary nurse does not pay the annual renewal fee by the end of the year, they will be removed from the register of veterinary nurses.

VNs also need to confirm their register details, confirm their compliance with CPD requirements and declare any convictions, cautions and/or adverse findings.

Any VNs who have not received an annual renewal email or letter by the end of September should contact the RCVS registration department on registration@rcvs.org.uk or 020 7202 0707. Further information can be found on the RCVS website.