Excel Vet Awards reveals finalists

Finalists have been announced for a 2021 award ceremony honouring champions of rabbit and guinea pig welfare – with a £250 prize up for grabs.

The Burgess Excel Vet Awards has seen 20 industry professionals and 10 practices shortlisted across six categories, ranging from Rabbit Vet of the Year to Rabbit Support Staff of the Year.

Cash prize

A judging panel of industry experts, veterinary professionals, as well as rabbit and guinea pig specialists, have spent the past week assessing hundreds of nominations from veterinary professionals, practices and their clients across the UK.

On top of the cash prize, one winner from each category will receive a trophy, which will be presented at this year’s London Vet Show on 11 November.

Fantastic response

Suzanne Moyes, Burgess Excel Awards judge and veterinary director at Burgess Pet Care, said: “We have been delighted with the fantastic response to this year’s Excel Vet Awards. It’s hugely rewarding to hear about so many veterinary professionals and practices who are going that extra mile to take care of the UK’s rabbits and guinea pigs, despite the additional challenges created by the pandemic in providing high levels of care.

“Once again, the standard of entries we’ve received has been absolutely outstanding, which has made the judging panel’s job very difficult. Congratulations to everyone who has made the shortlist, which in itself is an achievement to be proud of.”

Nominees

Rabbit Vet of the Year:

• Sara Dias, Pride Veterinary Centre, Derbyshire
• Sophie Jenkins, Origin Vets Clinic, Cardiff
• Madonna Livingstone, Ark Veterinary Clinic, Coatbridge
• Nadene Stapleton, RVC Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital, London
• Molly Varga Smith, Rutland House Exotics, St Helens

Rabbit Vet Nurse of the Year:

• Heidi Barringer, Wood Green, The Animal Charity, Godmanchester
• Katie Richmond-Jones, Downland Veterinary Group, Bognor Regis
• Rachel Sibbald, Abercorn Veterinary Centre, Edinburgh
• Victoria Stearman, Origin Vets Clinic, South Wales
• Adina Valentine, Origin Vets Clinic, South Wales area

Rabbit-friendly Vet Practice of the Year:

• Highcroft Exotic Vets, Bristol
• Origin Vets Clinic, Vale of Glamorgan
• Quantock Veterinary Hospital, Bridgwater
• RVC Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital, London
• Suffolk Exotic Vets, Suffolk

Rabbit Support Staff of the Year:

• Ellie Wright, Riversmeet Vets, Atherstone
• Rachel Sanderson, Robert Jones Vet Surgery, Blackpool
• Corinne Voigt-Hill, Vets4Pets, Bangor
• Donna Robson, Pennard Vets, Sevenoaks
• Chrystabel Burt, Medivet, Ashford

Rabbit Student of the Year:

• Megan Bailey, Duchy College Rosewarne, Camborne
• Amy Loverance, Nottingham Veterinary School
• Sarah McMahon, University of Glasgow
• Grace Mee, University of Liverpool
• Tanya Peters, Harper Adams University, Newport, Shropshire

Guinea Pig-friendly Vet Practice of the Year:

• CJ Hall Vets, East Sheen, London
• Derwent Valley Vets, Matlock
• Highcroft Exotic Vets, Bristol
• Origin Vets, Cardiff
• Twickenham Vets, London