During May 2026, the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) led the veterinary profession and the public in celebrating Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month (VNAM). This year, the campaign adopted a theme of ‘compassion and empathy’, celebrating how these traits are central to the veterinary nursing profession and the skilled care they provide every day.

Each VNAM also includes an annual competition hosted by BVNA. This year’s invitation for nominations of ‘Unsung Heroes’ sought to put individual veterinary nurses and teams into the spotlight, showcasing their unwavering care and dedication which often goes on behind the scenes, out of view of the public.

Along with the words from their nominators, the two competition winners and two runners-up are:

Winners

  • Individual: Sharon Phillips – Medivet Leominster

“Sharon (known as Shazzy) has worked at our practice for almost 32 years! It used to be a family-owned practice called Marches until we were taken over by Medivet.

“She is the most selfless person I know and the one and only veterinary nurse that you would want to look after your pet if it was sick. She is so empathetic with animals, and all the clients adore her. She has never received any recognition for all the years of extreme hard work and dedication to a job that she loves so much and has always wanted to do. Shazzy is also the only person I know who personally ensures that all staff birthdays and special events are marked, using her own money to buy flowers, food and that all-important cake we all love!

“Basically, without her at the helm, our practice would be a far less bright and enjoyable place to work. Her engaging and enduring laugh can be heard all around the practice when she’s working too – managing to lift our spirits when the rest of us are flagging. Shazzy thoroughly deserves some recognition for her years of dedication and hard work.”

  • Team: The veterinary nursing team at Barrow Hill Vets

“These are my colleagues and I have been going through a bit of a tough time recently financially. My team have been amazingly supportive and have checked in with me every day to ensure I am okay.

“My head nurse lent me some money to fill my car up with petrol after breaking down. Also, my deputy head nurse and practice director went to the shops and brought three bags of food for me as they knew I was having to ration my meals; All of which they did without my knowledge.

“I was lost for words as I have never experienced kindness like this before, so it seems appropriate that this year’s VNAM theme is compassion and empathy.”

Competition runners up

  • Individual: Zoe Laycock – Medivet Thirsk

“I have a very nervous Jack Russell called Cookie. She is the sweetest dog but can be nervous with new people. Zoe took the time to build Cookie’s confidence all the way up even when Cookie was being snappy with her. She was never fazed, still always excited to see her, and made sure she took it at Cookie’s pace and what she was comfortable with.

“Zoe set up something called Confidence Classes, and these have been an absolute life saver for Cookie. From being nervous and not being able to do anything with her, Zoe can now use the stethoscope on her, cut a few nails, put her back on the table, take her harness on and off (that one may seem small but that’s something Cookie never allowed anyone to do before). She boosted Cookie’s confidence and sat with Cookie in the actual kennels to get her use to it before she had her womb out. I’m such a nervous wreck but she completely put my mind at rest and assured me that Cookie was in the best care.

“Cookie now loves going into the vets and just struts in and Zoe’s always excited to see Cookie. I have complete trust in her and the team and wouldn’t want to take my Cookie anywhere else!”

  • Team: The veterinary nursing team at ChesterGates Veterinary Specialists

“In December 2025, just a few days before sitting my OSCE’s, my 4-year-old rescue dog was sadly diagnosed with an incurable and unresectable bone tumour in her pelvis. Margot was my whole world and so I was in pieces. Through every step of the way, from her first CT to the day we put her to sleep in February, the entire nursing team at ChesterGates carried me through. They supported me so well that I was not only able to sit my OSCE’s but amazingly pass and become a qualified RVN. They held my hand through it all. It would be misplaced of me to single out individuals because without each and every one of the team, I don’t think I would have gotten through it. They held my hand when I needed it, offered me a brew when I was struggling, and were so incredibly patient with me.

“The care, compassion and level of dedication they showed not just to me, but to Margot as well, is something I will never be able to forget. As a nervous dog, she struggled with new people, but they gave her time, respect and patience. Their commitment to her as their patient not only meant the world to me as an RVN, but also as an owner. The entire team embodies everything it means to be an RVN. To support not only our patients but their families too. They treat everyone with the utmost level of care and respect, nervous or confident, sick or well.

“I will never be able to repay them for everything they did for us, but I hope this nomination is a start.”

BVNA President Sarah Holliday commented: “We have been overwhelmed by the positive response to BVNA’s ‘Unsung Heroes’ nominations during VNAM 2026. Thank you to all those who took the time to nominate a registered veterinary nurse, student veterinary nurse, or veterinary nursing team who has made a lasting difference to the people and animals around them.

“We received nearly 200 truly inspiring and uplifting nominations, all of which completely embodied this year’s theme of ‘compassion and empathy’, and it was incredibly difficult for our VNAM committee to shortlist them. While I congratulate this year’s worthy winners, I would also like to congratulate every one of the deserving nominees. We hope the campaign has provided the profession with the boost of positivity and recognition that we aim to achieve during VNAM each year.

“Of course, the key goal of every VNAM is to raise awareness of veterinary nursing amongst the public, and I would like to thank everyone who participated and played their part throughout May. BVNA continues to push for positive change for our profession, including reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act and protection of the ‘veterinary nurse’ title. Public awareness will be instrumental in achieving these outcomes, so it has therefore never been more important to champion and showcase veterinary nursing – all year round.”