Kirsty Cavill BSc (Hons) RVN

“I’d always been surrounded by animals growing up, and veterinary nursing just seemed to be the natural path to follow. When I was offered a position as a student veterinary nurse in a local practice, I jumped at the chance. I spent 18 months in a mixed practice in Somerset with influential and supportive Head Nurses guiding my journey and getting my green book signed off, before moving onto Bristol Veterinary School, Langford, to take up a place on the first cohort of nurses to train on site, alongside the vet students.

Being surrounded by encouraging mentors at this influential stage of my career, 32 years ago, guiding and showing me what good looks like, is something I credit for my longstanding career as a veterinary nurse. I qualified in 1991 and have never wanted to do anything else.

My first position as a qualified RVN was at the PDSA where I stayed for over 10 years and gained a wealth of experience.

I then moved into a role in a zoological setting, for the next eleven years working closely with endangered species, whilst completing a degree in environmental science and working as a locum to maintain my enhanced clinical skillset. Working alongside the big cats, wolves and exotic species was such a privilege. We shouldn’t have favourites but there was something so incredibly special about the Amur Tigers. During this time, I was inspired to start on my journey into veterinary rehabilitation, by training to be a Clinical Myotherapist – Big cats get OA too! In 2018 I set up my own rehabilitation business – Paws Canine Myotherapy Care – which I run alongside my other job roles.

I started working with The Vet Connection in 2013, initially just a few hours a week in the field of Telehealth, triaging patients and providing appropriate evidence based clinical advice. I then moved into the position of Head Nurse, and in 2022 was promoted to Director, Head of Clinical Services.

Always keen to learn more, I completed the RCVS Edward Jenner Leadership programme, trained to be a Mental Health First Aider, completed the Veterinary Osteoarthritis Alliance One Paw Accreditation, and became a member of the International Association of Animal Therapists.

I believe in giving back, so have been a volunteer Veterinary Nurse with Canine Arthritis Management for the past 6 years, a volunteer Nurse Team Lead for StreetVet since 2019.

In 2021 I was truly honoured to be awarded the RCVS Veterinary Nurse Golden Jubilee Award and the BVNA Impact Award, and in 2022, the Blue Cross Veterinary Nurse of The Year.

I regularly write articles for publication on senior pet care, osteoarthritis, and chronic pain management, and was recently invited to be chapter editor on a book written by veterinary nurses for veterinary nurses, exploring the human, animal, environmental interface we know as One Health. One Health for Veterinary Nurses and Technicians, edited by Rebecca Jones and Andrea Jeffery was Published by CABI in Feb 2023. Thank you, Becky, and Andrea, for affording me this opportunity. What an incredible project to be a part of!

This year I have been invited to become a member of the Veterinary Osteoarthritis Alliance Advisory Board and will be presenting at their inaugural congress later this month, on The Role of the RVN in Feline OA Management.

I remain passionate about empowering Veterinary Nurses to take ownership of defining their own career pathways. We are all equal and work most effectively when we leave our titles at the door, engage active listening and practice acceptance. Compassionate leadership, collaboration, and mutual respect are the key components of a successful team.

Your veterinary passport will afford you a world of opportunity, so remember, there is no such thing as normal when it comes to a veterinary career!”