Ali Deas served as Chairman of BANAA during the 1980s. During this time, she led the association through the profession’s transition from ‘Registered Animal Nursing Auxiliary’ to ‘Veterinary Nurse’ – and as we finally became recognised as BVNA. This August, Ali celebrates 50 years working in the veterinary profession. In this blog, she reflects on the progress she has seen in this time, and how influential BVNA has been to her – both in her career and as a person.

“It was at BCA in 1978 that I first experienced British Animal Nursing Auxiliaries Association (BANAA). The 6 Prelim and 6 Final ANAs studying at BCA at that time were invited to attend the association’s AGM, it was in its second year using BCA as its venue. I seem to remember around 100 auxiliaries – the term ‘nurse’ was still protected by the Royal College of Nurses at that time. There were perhaps a dozen commercial companies, these businesses identifying the value of the RANA in practice.

“Once qualified and settled into my HVN position, I started to look at BANAA and what it offered. I felt the £5 annual membership fee was extortionate. BANAA Council got to hear of my rumblings and took the wise move of suggesting that I got involved and tried to help improve working conditions. Never one to walk away from a challenge, I was duly elected on to BANAA Council, as well as launching the Berkshire branch of the association, becoming a branch co-ordinator.

“BANAA Council meetings were held quarterly at BVA headquarters in Mansfield Street, London. This gave me a brilliant learning curve as to procedure, politics and working as a small team to enhance the role of the Animal Nursing Auxiliary.

“The magnificent BVNA and the role of the Registered Veterinary Nurse that we see today was an extremely optimistic vision that we each had for the future. I sat on the Working Committee for a Statutory Register and learned that things don’t just change overnight.

“We discussed the possibility of further qualification and maybe specialisation into specific areas such as anaesthesia, radiography and critical care nursing. Studying dog behaviour was in its early days and not considered part of veterinary practice. Homeopathy was practised by one veterinary surgeon in the UK, whilst veterinary acupuncture, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and laser treatment were not even considered to be possibilities.

“As representatives of BANAA, we would take ourselves to major veterinary events at our own discretion – no formal invitation – often at our own expense, with the sole purpose of heightening the presence and value of the Registered Animal Nursing Auxiliary. All this time, we referred to our title as ‘registered’ but we had no register, just a list of names held by the RCVS.

“I felt honoured when I was elected Chairman of BANAA and during my first year we saw the name change, that we had all worked tirelessly towards, from Registered Animal Nursing Auxiliary to Veterinary Nurse. And with that the name change to British Veterinary Nursing Association.

“During my time with the BVNA, I was fortunate to meet with many young and enthusiast veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and members of the animal health industry.

“I worked towards forging links with overseas veterinary nurses and technicians. All communications were by Air Mail which would take three weeks to get there and another three weeks, at least, before a response was received. I was keen to create an international veterinary nursing association and for us to share ideas and experiences.

“I worked on the BVNA Newsletter and could only dream that one day it would aspire to the well-respected publication that the VNJ is today.

“Whilst I was still working hard at promoting BVNA, my work commitments were becoming more demanding as I had entered into veterinary sales. I stepped down from Chairmanship and handed over to our first BVNA President who was actively involved at the helm of the association. Previously, BVNA President had been a figurehead, mostly veterinary surgeons, one veterinary nurse but with no specific duties other than their tremendous support of an organisation that they truly admired and thus supported.

“I continued volunteering within BVNA, I joined the Congress Sub-committee, taking responsibility of the commercial exhibition. We had moved the venue from BCA to Stoneleigh and with this numbers increased.

“The BVNA Congress was beginning to be seen as a significant event within the veterinary calendar. The Congress extending initially from one to two days and then to three. Lectures became more diverse, workshops were introduced, and the commercial exhibition boasted a waiting list of a dozen or more companies.

“Somewhere amongst all this, the BVNA took the decision to employ one full time member of staff and to rent an office. Our then treasurer, who lived in Harlow, was appointed the position and suitable premises were located. That is why BVNA HQ is in Harlow! There was also the convenience of the newly opened M25 and the surrounding road network which made it relatively easy to access.

“The support of commercial companies to the veterinary nursing profession grew as they recognised the value and influence of the VN in practice. BVNA had the opportunity of welcoming the then famous presenter, Noel Edmunds, to open the congress. Sadly, this proposal was deemed to be too commercial. Noel still had a presence within the exhibition greeting delegates to the stand that had commissioned him for the day.

“Some years later, the much-adored Johnny Morris of TV Animal Magic fame accepted an invitation to officially open the Congress which was met with enormous delight by the attending delegation.

“Now, of course, we see many well-known names linked to opening events, banquets and party nights, it’s nice to think that BVNA could be considered a forerunner to what you see today.

“After returning from a working maternity break, the profession had welcomed loads of male veterinary nurses, there were homeopathic vets, acupuncturists, holistic practices, hydrotherapy, nutritionists, puppy parties, weight clinics, counsellors, behaviourists, physiotherapists, dermatologists, cardiologists, oncologists, orthopaedic specialists. We have an International Veterinary Nurses & Technicians Association, we have emergency critical care practices, referral practices, group practices, corporate practices, franchises, nurse owned establishments, waiting room sales, practice shops. We have an array of Advanced Diplomas, a Statutory Register, a VN Committee, a VN Awarding Body, VN Regulatory Committee, an Education Committee, a Congress Committee, working parties and sub committees.

“There is so much available at every level in veterinary practice. I thank BVNA, that has been driven by enthusiasts, and has been supported and respected by almost every VN in the UK but most of all I thank BVNA for carving me into the person I am today.

“Congratulations BVNA for reaching 60 years; in August of this year, I celebrate 50 years of being employed within the veterinary profession, which led me into veterinary sales. I have always kept in touch with what went before and what lies ahead.

“Thank you BANAA/BVNA, here’s wishing you a very happy memorable 60^th anniversary celebration!”

During BVNA’s 60^th anniversary celebrations, we’d love to hear from our members past and present with their memories and reflections on how far the profession has come. Please feel free to share any stories and photos you would be happy for us to publish, to; bvna@bvna.co.uk.

Read more stories from our members at; https://bvna.org.uk/blog/category/bvna-is-60/