Author Archives: Amber Tennant

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.

Canicross recognised by The Kennel Club

The Kennel Club has recognised canicross as an official canine activity. With 8.5 million dogs in the UK and a growing canine obesity problem, canicross is a fun and easy way for owners and their dogs to stay active and explore the great outdoors.

In order to take part in canicross, an owner wears a waist-belt which attaches via a two metre bungee line to the dog’s harness. Both owner and dog run, with the dog taking the front spot from start to finish. The activity has many benefits, including making new friends for both owner and dog and creating a special bond between them.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “We are very excited to recognise canicross as an official Kennel Club activity. For those who are already interested in running and who own a dog, it is an easy and fun way to keep both human and canine fit and healthy.”

Full details about the new discipline can be found on the Kennel Club website.

BVA survey reveals 98% of vets asked to euthanise healthy pets

A survey of companion animal vets undertaken by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) has revealed that almost all companion animal vets have been asked to euthanise healthy pets, with half (53%) saying this was not a rare occurrence and 98% of those who had been asked citing the owner’s reason as their pet’s behaviour.

Problem behaviours vets see include persistent barking and howling; destructive chewing; inappropriate toileting, and aggressive behaviour towards people and other pets. Such behaviours can cause a breakdown of the human-animal bond, leading to pets being excluded from family life to the detriment of their welfare, relinquished to rehoming centres or euthanised.

BVA says that these figures overwhelmingly show the importance of adequate socialisation of animals at an early age. BVA President Sean Wensley, said: “These figures are stark and are likely to come as a shock to members of the public. But this is the sad reality of a failure to socialise animals from the earliest possible age – a specific time in a puppy’s development which has a significant impact on their future temperament and behaviour. With dogs, this process starts from before a puppy is even seen by a potential owner. In recent months there has been a litany of news stories about the illegal importation, breeding and trading of puppies through puppy farms. This is no way for a family pet to start life and we urge potential owners to thoroughly research where a puppy has been born and reared, using the AWF/RSPCA Puppy contract to help. Then, in the first year of ownership, and especially in the first few weeks, work with your local veterinary practice to ensure your puppy is introduced to everyday sights and sounds, including other people and animals, in a safe and structured way.”

Surveyed vets said that some of the most common reasons they were given included poor health of the owner (48%), owners moving to accommodation that is unsuitable for their pet (39%), and legal enforcement reasons (32%). For more information please visit the BVA website.

Health and Fitness Tip of the Week: Ahhh flu!

Did you know the flu virus can survive on surfaces for up to 8 hours? Symptoms of the flu can include temperatures, tiredness, headaches, pains/aches and sore throats.

To prevent getting the flu you can book an appointment with your doctor to get the vaccine. This is free to anyone over 65, pregnant woman and children and adults with illnesses or a weak immune system. You can also prevent the spread of germs by washing your hands regularly.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Flu/Pages/Complications.aspx