Nominations for the 2023 Northern Ireland Agria Veterinary Community Awards are now open!
As ever, Agria invites you to nominate those individuals that go the extra mile to make the lives of animals, owners and colleagues that much better.
The Agria Veterinary Community Awards have become a key moment of the year in the Northern Ireland veterinary calendar. 2023 will once again celebrate the hard work that goes on within practices every day – more so than ever in this current climate – to recognise individuals that stand out by the exceptional differences they make.
In this, the 6th year of the awards, the new category from 2022, Young Vet of the Year, returns to crown one of the newest faces of the veterinary world for their hard work and contribution. The complete list of categories to nominate your special individuals for are:
- Vet Nurse of the Year
- Student Vet Nurse of the Year
- Animal Nursing Assistant of the Year
- Receptionist of the Year
- Rescue and Rehoming Champion of the Year
- Clinical Coach of the Year
- Young Vet of the Year
The awards are once again organised by Susie Hill, Agria’s Northern Ireland Business Development Manager, and supported by BVNA Regional Representative Louise Taylor, and the Association of Practitioners in Northern Ireland (AVSPNI).
Last year’s NI Veterinary Nurse of the Year winner, Naoimh Toner, Roe Valley Vets, Limavady, says, “I was curious to see who would take the 2022 title. Never in a million years did I expect my name to be called, it was a complete shock! My face was sore with smiling, and I don’t like to admit it too often, but I was proud of myself; someone somewhere clearly appreciated what I did.
“Learning that the nomination had come from a client and in particular from a client who I had supported through the euthanasia of their pet was extra special. It is good to know that your colleagues will nominate you and put a few kind words together for you and it is great to have that level of acknowledgement. To have it from a client brings an entirely new sentiment to the award and makes it so much more special.
“Is there a better feeling than knowing that in a dark time of someone’s journey on this world you were able to bring some comfort?”
In addition to the veterinary focus of the awards, they also seek to celebrate those individuals that work closely with the rescue and rehoming sector, to which Agria has close ties.
Winner of 2022’s, Rehoming and Rescue Champion of the Year was Megan Andrews, Glenburn Veterinary Surgeons part of the IVC Group who says, “Winning the award has given me confidence and a sense of belief in myself. It has inspired me to evaluate my career with animals and formalise my career.”
Susie Hill says, “The day-to-day commitment and dedication show by practice teams to each other their clients and pets is absolutely heart-warming.
“The pandemic had a significant impact for us all but particularly for the veterinary community, so I am delighted that the Northern Ireland Agria Vet Community Awards provides this opportunity to recognise and celebrate some very special individuals.
“I look forward to reading the stories and nominations from across NI!”
To nominate someone you know who deserves recognition, please visit: agriapet.co.uk/NIawards and fill out the form. You can also nominate yourself!