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Students celebrate graduation at CQ ceremony
“Congratulations to everyone who graduated today” – Ben Fogle.
Ben Fogle presented the graduates with their scrolls.

More than 100 students from training centres across the UK celebrated qualifying as veterinary nurses and veterinary nursing assistants at Central Hall, Westminster, on Saturday, 9 March.

The graduates of CQ’s Diploma in Veterinary Nursing and Diploma for Veterinary Nurse Assistants were handed their ceremonial scrolls by adventurer, broadcaster and writer Ben Fogle as friends and family looked on.

Mr Fogle also gave the keynote speech, in which he talked about growing up in a veterinary household, finding fame as part of the Castaway 2000 television series, rowing across the Atlantic with James Cracknell, and reaching the summit of Mount Everest.

He ended his speech by urging the graduates not to forget their dreams and ambitions and to climb their own Everests, whatever that might be.

The event also saw the winners of the Veterinary Nursing Educator Awards 2024 collect their awards. Donna Green of Central College of Animal Studies and Beverly Shingleton of Plumpton College were rewarded for their dedication to veterinary nurse training and the positive impact they have had on their students and colleagues.

Jacqui Garrett, CQ director, said: “As always, it’s been a great day at the CQ Graduation and Awards Ceremony. Veterinary nurses and nursing assistants play such an important role in the veterinary profession and it was an honour to see this new cohort graduate. I’m sure they will excel in the workplace and make a big difference to the lives of so many animals.”

Mr Fogle added: “It was a real privilege to be here today to celebrate the hard work and achievements of this new generation of veterinary nurses and veterinary nurse assistants. Congratulations to everyone who graduated today.”

Image © Central Qualifications

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.