Each May, the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) proudly leads the Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month (VNAM) campaign.

This year’s campaign theme of ‘Compassion and Empathy’ will recognise how these traits are demonstrated by veterinary nurses every day, whether towards their patients or the people around them, and underpinning the skilled care they provide. VNAM celebrates what it means to be a veterinary nurse – raising public awareness of the significant contributions made by veterinary nurses to animal health and welfare, and that of the public too.

BVNA invites every member of the veterinary profession, along with pet owners and caregivers, to support the campaign and highlight #WhatVNsDo.

How will you be raising awareness of veterinary nursing?

You can help BVNA to champion veterinary nurses throughout VNAM in the following ways:

• Follow BVNA on social media, and share posts and content with your practice/workplace, family, friends and practice clients – including the hashtags; #VNAM2026 | #WhatVNsDo | #CompassionAndEmpathy
• Visit the BVNA website for resources to help you and your team take part in the campaign. Get creative with your own ideas, and get in touch via bvna@bvna.co.uk with how you are putting a spotlight on your veterinary nursing colleagues in May
• Submit an “Unsung Heroes” VNAM nomination of an individual or veterinary nursing team who you feel deserves recognition. Encourage your practice/workplace team, family and friends, and practice clients to get involved

Find out more information about VNAM 2026 via the BVNA website here.

VNAM 2026 nominations – “Unsung Heroes”

Do you know a veterinary nurse (or veterinary nursing team) who has made a lasting difference? Throughout May, BVNA will be inviting veterinary clients and colleagues to shine a light on the registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) and student veterinary nurses (SVNs) who give so much of themselves, often behind the scenes and without recognition.

Perhaps you know a veterinary nurse who has:

• Sat with you when your animal was unwell or at the end of their life
• Offered kindness, patience, or reassurance when emotions ran high
• Treated your pet with dignity, gentleness, and genuine love
• Supported you in ways you’ll never forget, even if you never had the words at the time

Nominations are invited from:

• Clients, whose lives and animals have been touched by compassionate veterinary nursing care
• Colleagues, who witness daily the emotional labour, professionalism, and dedication that often goes unseen

Simply complete the short nomination form available here, highlighting how a veterinary nurse has supported you, your animal, or your workplace. One winner and runner-up will be selected from both individual and team entries, winning a prize worth up to £250.

Thank you for helping BVNA to honour the veterinary nurses who care quietly, selflessly, and wholeheartedly — every single day.

Message from BVNA President, Sarah Holliday:

“I am delighted to launch this year’s VNAM, which also follows my Presidential theme of ‘Compassion and Empathy’. Throughout May, we will be highlighting how these qualities are integral to everything veterinary nurses do – from providing dedicated and skilled care to animals of all species, supporting animal caregivers in sometimes difficult and emotional situations, and offering a listening ear to colleagues. Often, this goes on behind the scenes; VNAM is a crucial opportunity to put a spotlight on the incredible work carried out by veterinary nurses every day.

“I encourage the whole veterinary profession to get involved, showcasing to the public just how much veterinary nurses contribute to their teams and to animal welfare. It’s an ideal opportunity to get creative with your team – and BVNA has provided lots of resources on our website to help to generate ideas.

“I also look forward to reading the nominations of inspiring individuals and teams who deserve to be showcased for bringing compassion and empathy into their work every day. Receiving this recognition provides a real boost for the recipients and reminds them that their work does not go unnoticed – nominations only take a few minutes to submit but make a real impact.”