This year’s annual Student Awards Ceremony took place on Saturday 8 November 2025. The ceremony is always a wonderful occasion to come together and celebrate the incredible achievements of our students, their mentors, and our staff, and this year’s event was no exception! The event was filled with pride, laughter, and inspiration as we reflected […]
The College of Animal Welfare News Blog
Celebrating Success at our Annual Student Awards Ceremony
Mentoring Without Burnout: How to Support SVNs Without Overloading Yourself
Mentoring student veterinary nurses (SVNs) is one of the most rewarding roles in clinical practice, but it can also add pressure to a busy day. For clinical supervisors, balancing high standards of veterinary nurse training with rota demands, caseload pressures, and unexpected emergencies can be a challenge. The good news is that mentoring a student […]
Anti-Bullying Week 2025: Using Our Power for Good
This November, we’re joining communities across the country to mark Anti-Bullying Week 2025. The theme this year is “Power for Good” – a reminder that every one of us has the power to make a positive difference in the lives of others. What does “Power for Good” mean? The message behind this year’s theme is […]
Stress Awareness Week 2025: 3-7 November
International Stress Awareness Week is an annual event held from the 3rd – 7th November 2025, dedicated to raising awareness about stress, its impact, and how to manage it effectively. In today’s fast-paced world, stress can feel unavoidable—draining our energy, affecting our health, and taking a toll on our overall well-being. With 79% of adults […]
When Things Don’t Go to Plan: Supporting Struggling SVNs with Compassion and Clarity
Supporting student veterinary nurses (SVNs) on placement is one of the most rewarding roles in practice, but it’s not without its challenges. Sometimes, despite everyone’s best efforts, a student begins to struggle. Whether it’s confidence, clinical skills, communication, or personal circumstances affecting performance, it can be difficult for clinical supervisors to know what to do […]
The Power Hour Returns: 60 Minutes to Level Up Your Leadership
Following the overwhelming success of last year’s Power Hour series, we’re thrilled to announce that The Power Hour is back for 2026! This popular series of hour-long leadership and coaching webinars is designed specifically for those working in veterinary practice who want to grow their leadership confidence, strengthen team performance, and develop their coaching skills […]
Give a Dog a Helping Paw: Volunteer with Dogs Trust
At Dogs Trust, volunteering is more than just lending a hand — it’s your chance to change the lives of rescue dogs across the UK. Whether you’re walking waggy tails at one of our rehoming centres, helping out in a charity shop, or supporting our work from the comfort of your own home, there’s a […]
New Accredited Course Now Available: City & Guilds Level 2 Award in Supporting Wellbeing and Mental Health of Self and Others
We’re excited to announce the launch of our new City & Guilds Level 2 Award in Supporting Wellbeing and Mental Health of Self and Others — a nationally recognised qualification that offers 8 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and can help you better understand mental health, support your own wellbeing, and make a positive […]
OCD Awareness Week: 13-19 October 2025
OCD awareness week is an annual event held in the second full week of October to educate people about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), break stereotypes and encourage those affected to seek help. Let’s take this opportunity to learn more about OCD and challenge common misconceptions. What is obsessive compulsive disorder?OCD is often a misunderstood condition, that […]
The First 90 Days: How to Help SVNs Settle into Practice and Succeed
Taking on a student veterinary nurse (SVN) is a fantastic opportunity to support the next generation of Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs). For many students, their placement is the first real taste of working in a veterinary practice setting. These early weeks are critical in shaping how they feel about the role, the profession, and their […]