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Animal Health Awards Animals are a vital part of our lives, with both domestic pets and farmyard animals acting as sources of both comfort and income to thousands of people around the world. Projects in key therapeutic areas provide a solid platform for further growth in veterinary medicine, and this area is rapidly expanding as our increased focus on the life that surrounds us and how it impacts on our lives and health leads the industry towards greater innovation. As such we have created the 2016 Animal Health Awards, which are committed to recognising companies associated with the health and welfare of animals in addition to veterinary medicine across the globe. The programme focuses on both corporate industry members and national animal health associations, exploring the rapidly increasing areas of innovation, technology, scientific achievement and wildlife conservation. Ultimately, this award programme aims to acknowledge and reward those who have gone beyond their duty of care to improve the welfare, care and health of animals.
the award winners... 04 Most Renowned Animal Conservation Charity 2016 International Fund for Animal Welfare 06 Best Canine Hydrotherapy Centre 2016 - UK & Recognised Leaders in Canine Rehabilitation - UK Aquatic Canine Therapy 07 Veterinary Practice of the Year 2016 - Northern Ireland & GHP Award for Innovation & Excellence in Animal Healthcare - N. I. Craemill Veterinary Clinic 08 Best Wildlife Welfare Campaign: #AmazingGrace Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue 09 Best Veterinary Practice 2016 - South Lanarkshire Nethan Valley Veterinary Centre 10 Best Family-Owned Animal Hospital - Mecklenburg County Pressly Animal Hospital 12 Wildlife Rehabilitator of the Year 2016 - UK Vale Wildlife Hospital & Rehabilitation Centre 14 Best Animal Welfare Academic - New Zealand Animal Welfare, Science and Bioethics Centre 16 Best Veterinary Technology Manufacturer - Netherlands MXR Podoblock B.V.
“At IFAW, we have developed a strategic plan for 2016 through to 2020. The strategic plan gives direction in the areas the organization that wishes to focus primarily on programs and international operations, development, communications, human resources, finance and information technology. The strategic plan includes the context in which the organization is operating and incorporating responses and strategic directions for each of these core areas. Jacqueline Nyagah, International Fund for Animal Welfare (I.F.A.W)
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AH160023
Most Renowned Animal Conservation Charity 2016
The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is an animal welfare and conservation organization. At IFAW, they believe animals are sentient beings, meaning they have the ability to feel and perceive things, and IFAW believe in the intrinsic value of individual animals and populations of animals. The organization’s wildlife conservation program focuses on the wellbeing of animal populations, securing their landscapes and the rescue and protection of animals in distress. Jacqueline Nyagah told us more about the valiant work of this crucial organization. The vision of IFAW is a world where animals are respected and protected, and as such, its mission is to rescue and protect animals all around the world. IFAW has offices in 14 countries and runs projects in wildlife conservation, animal rescue and protection, and education in more than 40 countries. Jacqueline notes that in the East Africa office where she is based, the team work mostly with wildlife conservation organizations including Kenya Wildlife Service, Uganda Wildlife Authority and Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority. “We have also partnered with a group ranch in Amboseli to the south of Kenya; the Olgulului/ Olalarashi Group Ranch (OOGR) has a membership of over 11,000 members. IFAW has signed a memorandum of understanding with 1,600 members to lease out their 16,000 acres which has been identified conserved as migratory and dispersal routes for wildlife. The long-term plan for the leased out land is for it to be developed into a community conservancy.” IFAW East Africa is also transforming wildlife law enforcement by piloting a strategy called tenBoma. This is a counter poaching strategy, which uses modern technology and analysis to enable preemptive anti-poaching action. The team at IFAW are also supporting the professional training of community scouts at the Kenya Wildlife Service Law Enforcement Academy in Manyani, and the provision of mobility, equipment and outposts. IFAW also supports community livelihoods through offering education bursaries to those in need and bright students in high school and post-secondary education. The students are chosen on merit after a rigorous selection process. The organization are mitigating human wildlife conflict through compliance and enforcement of land
use planning by supporting, both financially and logistically, the publication of the Amboseli ecosystem management plan (AEMP) in an official gazette. Amboseli is primarily a semi-arid area, meaning the provision of water can be a challenge. IFAW in partnership with the committee members of OOGR and national and county government has for the last four years taken up a challenging task to ensure that water is available for members of the community. In addition, we have taken up infrastructure developments both at the Kenya Wildlife Service Amboseli National Park Headquarters, constructing an office block and within the community by constructing roads. Jacqueline points out that IFAW uses science to provide data, maps and information on elephant movements, to government officials and decision makers, land-owners, partners, and stakeholders, in order to help mitigate human wildlife conflict. “IFAW prides itself on caring about the welfare of animals and people. When conducting activities that could be dangerous, we ensure that our staff are adequately briefed on safety procedures that need to be taken into consideration. When working with or on animals, we use well-trained, highly qualified and vastly experienced personnel, including veterinarians who are proficient in handling animals. “As with all sectors, animal welfare and conservation has its fair share of challenges. The problems can generally be grouped into policy development and enforcement, and apathy to wildlife. Policy developments and enforcements are at a national or local level where governments and administrative institutions may be reluctant to enforce laws that protect wildlife. To counter this, we join forces with like-minded organizations to advocate and lobby for the enactment of legislation that protects wildlife and their habitats. To counter apathy to wildlife, we institute education and social change measures for
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sustainability into the long-term. Our education and social change programs seeks to change indifference towards wildlife and animals to a more positive attitude, or enhance positivity where it already exists.” IFAW has more than 10 offices around the world. These offices all are interconnected and work together to ensure that the organization is working towards its common mission and vision. All the offices are therefore connected with high speed internet connections, and all staff have been equipped with a laptop; with program staff equipped with mobile telephones from which they can access their emails at any time and from anywhere. All staff have access to the intranet website from where commonly used documents, publications, reports are accessible. Asked about how IFAW is unique, Jacqueline was happy to tell us more. “IFAW is unique in several ways; in addition to being an animal welfare organization, we are also concerned with the needs of the people who care for and interact with animals and wildlife. For example, in our strategic plans, we incorporate communities and their needs and how they can benefit from wildlife conservation. In addition, IFAW uses sound science and ethics to plan and implement its activities.”
Jacqueline is positive about the future for IFAW, following the implementation of their strategic plan. “At IFAW, we have developed a strategic plan for 2016 through to 2020. The strategic plan gives direction in the areas the organization that wishes to focus primarily on programs and international operations, development, communications, human resources, finance and information technology. The strategic plan includes the context in which the organization is operating and incorporating responses and strategic directions for each of these core areas.
Company: International Fund for Animal Welfare (I.F.A.W) Name: Jacqueline Nyagah Email: jnyagah@ifaw.org Web Address: www.ifaw.org Address: Lenana Road Kilimani – P. O. Box 25499 – 00603 Nairobi Telephone: +254 2405664
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AH160002
Best Canine Hydrotherapy Centre 2016 - UK & Recognised Leaders in Canine Rehabilitation - UK
Aquatic Canine Therapy’s team are multidisciplinary, and work to provide evidence based professional rehabilitation, treatment and complimentary services for small animals, which includes rehabilitation, agility fitness, weight loss, physiotherapy, HydroPhysio, Veterinary Acupuncture, and Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging - SyncCanine. This enables them to meet the needs of not only the owners, but to provide a complete service to the vets supporting them, with the rehabilitation and weight loss or assisting with a diagnosis via non-invasive digital infrared thermographic scanning. We spoke to Director Michelle Silvester to find out more about small animal hydrotherapy Aquatic Canine Therapy’s mission is to provide the best complementary health care service to clients and veterinary professionals, ensuring the health and welfare of the animal involved is put first, thus aiding a fast return to health. Michelle ensures that Aquatic Canine Therapy demonstrate the high standard which they work to, as they have a duty of care when working with any animal. “Hydrotherapy is not currently regulated, but we are registered with the Canine Hydrotherapy Association (CHA), as this body monitors the quality of our centre and ensures that we are operating within strict quality standards guidelines. The insurance industry also only recognises CHA registered centres, which means treatment costs can be claimed through pet insurance, which is a significant influence for a client when choosing a hydrotherapy centre. “We are currently awaiting a delivery from DWS Hydrotherapy of a state of the art water treadmill with a powered incline and longer chamber, which means we will be able to provide an even better service to our hydrotherapy clients. It will allow us to introduce
manual or programmed incline walking to both our fitness and rehabilitation clients, which is fantastic news! “Our aim in the future is to expand the business and open another centre offering the complete service that we offer in Newbury. I am open to offers from neighbouring veterinary practices who have additional space that they would like to rent out, and to make this service available locally to their clients.” As a final note, Michelle would like to thank all of the clients of Aquatic Canine Therapy, referring vets and vet professionals for all of their support, and for trusting them to do their best to aid these animals.
The Aquatic Canine Therapy team consists of: Michelle Silvester – Director – Dip. Level 3 Small Animal Hydrotherapist & Veterinary Thermographer Technician Lois Vizer – Senior Hydrotherapist - Dip. Level 3 Small Animal Hydrotherapist Simone Jackman – Trainee Hydrotherapist Gemma Vaughan – Hydrotherapist Assistant Sara Gilmour – Chartered Physiotherapist & Hydrotherapist - ACPAT Cat A Hannah Ward – BSc (Hons) BVMS MRCVS – Veterinary Acupuncturist Company: Aquatic Canine Therapy (South) Ltd Name: Michelle Silvester Email: info@actnow-newbury.co.uk Web Address: www.AquaticCanineTherapy.co.uk Address: 214 Newtown Road, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 7ED Telephone: 01635 521915
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AH160006
Veterinary Practice of the Year 2016 - Northern Ireland & GHP Award for Innovation & Excellence in Animal Healthcare - Northern Ireland
Coagh 14 Hanover Square ...................................... T: 028 8673 7202 Cookstown 6 Union Street ................................... T: 028 8676 6444 Magherafelt Unit was 3 Opus Business by Parkthe ...... T: 028Noel 7930 1899 43 years Craemill Veterinary Clinic founded late McCrea ago, as a one-man-band rural clinic; he opened a second clinic in the 80’s, w w w. c r a e m i l l v e t s . c o m which allowed him to develop the small animal side of the mixed practice. The team has expanded considerably since then, and is now headed by Noel’s son Colin, and his wife Claire, who lead a talented team of veterinary professionals Claire and Colin trained in Liverpool Vet School and worked in England before returning home to the family practice in Northern Ireland 10 years ago. Colin has spent many years specialising in the treatment of farm animals, whilst Claire specialises in small animal treatment. Their combined experience allowed them to rebrand the practice, develop a website and advisory Facebook page, and diversify into separate farm and small animal services. Six years ago they opened a third, purpose built small animal clinic, and now employ a total of 19 staff.
Craemill’s business model allows them to attract a high calibre of applicant to their team, and in turn, they look for someone who will fit within the team, as they are very aware of the importance of having a happy team and how this is perceived by clients and their experiences within the clinics. As such, the clinic’s strong, motivated and compassionate veterinary team communicate and work well with each other, and aim to provide the highest level of service and personal client care. They promote and encourage their vets to continue their professional development, through enrolment on certificates, and the provision of client education on animal health and welfare; they deliver this via evening talks, and case studies on their website and on Facebook. Craemill Veterinary Clinic are the only mixed practice in Northern Ireland to employ vets who specialise in either small animal care or farm animal care, which helps to facilitate their key focus on companion or production animal health independently. Craemill feel this is an extremely innovative service, which helps them to cater for the high expectations of their clients. The last 18 months have seen the farming community under severe financial pressure, as they have been receiving low prices for their produce. This also affects vets, as it means they need to work on a strict budget with the farmer, whilst still providing a high level of service and assisting the farmer in improving their efficiency. Recently, Craemill have launched an app which enables their clients to have their digital business card on their smartphones and tablets, allowing immediate access to all of their services; something which is especially useful in an emergency.
Company: Craemill Veterinary Clinic Web Address: www.craemillvets.com Email Address: craemillveterinaryclinic@yahoo.co.uk
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AH160014
Best Wildlife Welfare Campaign: #AmazingGrace
Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue is a wildlife charity that works 24/7, 365 days a year to rescue, rehabilitate and release the country’s native wildlife. From tiny birds, dormice, and hedgehogs, to deer, foxes and badgers, they always help where they can. The rescue works hard to educate the public and raise much needed funds
Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue’s team are close and have a strong focus on communication. All of the volunteers are passionate and understand the difficulties that the country’s wildlife faces; internal talks and meetings ensure the information highway includes traffic both ways. Meetings are held each day, and they aim to give the highest care possible for their animals to ensure their release is as swift and smooth as possible. The team realised that whilst their primary concern was caring for wild animals, they also needed to educate people on the vital work they do. They regularly go into schools and organisations to talk about wildlife and its role and value in the community. Wildlife is essential for people’s wellbeing and health, and sometimes its value is not understood in the virtual world of smartphones and computers; by helping people to reconnect and access the value of wildlife, the rescue intends to help more animals and help decrease their loss of habitat. Experience and openness has allowed the rescue to grow, and adapt treatments and programs for specific species that give them the best possible chance in the wild. Working with wildlife can sometimes be unpredictable; these are wild animals, and they are innately scared of humans. Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue try to keep human interaction down to a minimum, and provide safe and quiet areas for each individual to recover.
Training is given to all volunteers that come into the rescue, as the safety of both their patients and volunteers is a top priority for the rescue. As a rescue, Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue are always under threat from a lack of funds, and from wildlife ignorance and the destruction of habitat. To address this, the rescue highlight and focus on specific species. Their current campaign is called #AmazingGrace. This campaign is focusing on the plight of the European Hedgehog and how their numbers have declined rapidly from around 30.5 million to just under one million; they could be extinct in the UK by 2025! The rescue is getting involved with the local community, to educate people on the contribution hedgehogs make to our lives, and how people can encourage and support them. The campaign is proving to be a hit with schools, developers and the wider community, and is something that the Rescue will look to continue in the future.
Company: Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue Email: natalie@hawr.co.uk Web Address: www.harperaspreywildliferescue.co.uk Address: PO Box 141, Windlesham, Surrey GU20 6YW Telephone: 01344 623 106 or 07476 011 313
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AH160008
Best Veterinary Practice 2016 - South Lanarkshire
NVVC is a small animal veterinary practice based in the village of Lesmahagow, which specialises in veterinary behavioural medicine. The practice was established just under five years ago; initially working from a caravan and visiting clients in their homes. They obtained their own premises in February 2012, starting out with one consulting room and a tiny waiting area Today, NVVC has a vibrant and colourful reception and retail space, alongside 3 consulting rooms; one specifically designed for cats, one for dogs, and one dedicated to their veterinary nursing clinics. Their clients are primarily from the local area, but owing to NVVC’s interest in animal behaviour, they do attract clients from further afield too.
veterinary behaviour referral services to include 1 to 1 and group dog training sessions, the provision of behavioural and welfare driven CPD for both pet owners and other members of the veterinary profession.
Their ethos is based on the principal that they treat every patient in their practice in the same way that they would expect one of their own pets to be treated. This influences their approach to everything in the clinic; relaxed consulting rooms, gentle handling of pets during procedures or surgeries, their selection of veterinary medicines and products and their empathy when one of their patients is seriously ill or dying. The health and wellbeing of their patients is at the very heart of everything NVVC do. The current NVVC team are a fantastic group of people, who genuinely care for both each other and the success of the practice. They also enjoy some amazing clients who are considered friends, sharing both the highs and lows of their relationships with their pets. NVVC promote the idea that to enjoy a happy relationship with our pets, we need to ensure the health and welfare of those pets is prioritised too! Practice Principal, Dr Claire Corridan, has a PhD in Animal Behaviour and Welfare, and studied the human: dog bond for her PhD thesis. Claire believes that veterinary medicine is about more than the physical health of any animal, and that their emotional and social needs are just as important. Although NVVC are happy to help clients who are experiencing behavioural issues with their pets, they are just as keen to help with behavioural prophylaxis, where they advise clients on the specific and individual needs of their pets to help ensure that the development of undesirable behaviours can be avoided. In the future, NVVC are planning the installation of uniquely pet friendly wards, complete with cat or dog TV and webcams, so that owners can check in on their pets any time, day or night. They hope to expand their
Company: Nethan Valley Veterinary Centre limited Name: Dr Claire Corridan BVMS PhD MRCVS Email: claire@nethanvets.com Web Address: www.nethanvets.com Address: 5, Langdykeside, Lesmahagow, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. ML11 0EY Telephone: 01555 895483
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AH160017
Best Family-Owned Animal Hospital - Mecklenburg County
Pressly Animal Hospital opened its doors in July 2011, as a rescue friendly veterinary hospital that exclusively sees small animals. Since that time, they have established relationships with over 80 local and long distance rescue organizations, and have become partner hospital with the Humane Society of Charlotte and Charlotte Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control. Founder, William J Pressly told us more about the important work of his hospital As their motto states, Pressly Animal Hospital is ‘the voice of forgotten pets’. Their primary focus is working closely with rescue organizations to care for pets that are in their possession, to get them healthy and to get them adopted by their ‘furrever’ homes. William recognized that there was a need in the community for more rescue friendly veterinary hospitals, and so he stepped up to the challenge to make a difference. “We may be the voice of forgotten pets, but we strive to be the voice for every pet. Every owner and pet we see are treated like family! Several of the pets that we have seen under the rescue continue to visit us when they have been adopted by their new families. “Given our specialization in rescue pets, the safety of our staff and the pets that visit us is our number one priority. We know that when out of their ‘safe place’, pets can act out, or become shy. We make every effort to accommodate the needs of families to ease the stress of the visit. If gentle hands and sweet talk are necessary, that is what is given. If the stress level is raised, we will occasionally sedate pets, just to account for everyone’s safety. “As our focus lies in rescue, our hiring process is quite selective; we search for qualities and a background that we feel is best suited for our unique practice. Our first action in searching for new team members is recommendations, as we feel personal referrals from current team members attract those with that special passion. We look for very special team members who are able to deal with the circumstances of many of the pets that we see and the fast paced environment of our hospital. “Going forward, our plans are to continue to grow in the community, and to form stronger bonds with the Humane Society of Charlotte and CMPD AC&C, alongside all other rescue groups and those to come. We are hoping in the future to build a new facility to accommodate for the influx of pets in need that we are seeing.”
Company: Pressly Animal Hospital Name: William J. Pressly, DVM Email: pah@presslyanimalhospital.net Web Address: www.presslyanimalhospital.net Address:1315 Chestnut Ln. Matthews, NC 28104 Telephone: 704-234-0374
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AH160015
Wildlife Rehabilitator of the Year 2016 - UK
On June 6th 1984, Caroline Gould took in an injured tawny owl, as a favour to a local vet; little did she know what one favour would lead to. Although she had always had a passion for animals, especially wildlife, her hands-on experience with them was limited to family pets, and her job at the time, which involved working at a local veterinary practice as an unqualified nurse. Out of this, Vale Wildlife Hospital & Rehabilitation Centre was born, and Caroline was keen to tell us more I had a fair amount of experience and knowledge of birds of prey, and kept a captive bred kestrel and buzzard which was why the vet approached me regarding the injured tawny owl, as he knew that I had aviary space and experience with birds of prey. Being charged with the care of a wild bird was a huge learning curve for me, and it also made me realise that there were very few facilities in the UK dedicated to rehabilitating the massive number of wild animals which are injured, through direct or indirect contact, with people every year. It is estimated that over five million wild animals, annually, are killed or injured in the UK alone, owing to this contact. Many of our country’s native species are declining in numbers, and I felt strongly that we should try to do as much as possible to return some of these casualties back into the wild.
enclosures; a Mammal Rearing Unit, away from the noise and activity of the hospital, used for the rearing of easily imprinted species; and a Hedgehog Unit, fitted with glass fronted, fibreglass caging which can house over 150 hedgehogs at any one time - we help between 700 and 1000 hedgehogs annually.
The following years saw the demand for the services of Vale Wildlife Hospital & Rehabilitation Centre grow unbelievably quickly, and I had to learn through trial and error, as there was very little information around how to treat and care for wildlife casualties. Today, we treat 4,000+ casualties every year.
Since employing our own part-time vet, the research and in-house work that he carries out has led to major changes in the drugs and dosages that we use for treating wildlife, which in turn has led to a huge increase in our success rates. Vets, carers and wildlife centres all over the country are now adopting our medication regimes, particularly for the treatment of European hedgehogs, which our vet has carried out a lot of research on. Unfortunately, changes and additions to these medications has also led to an inevitable rise in costs. However, we cannot stand still; we need to keep updating and improving the facilities that we offer to wildlife casualties, so that we can build on our success rates and return increasing numbers of animals back to the wild.
We moved to our present site to cater for this demand in 1992; the area has been used for fruit-picking and was just a ploughed field when we bought it. Before we actually moved on, with the help of some amazing friends and volunteers, we prepared the area; sowed the whole site with grass seed, dug trenches for water pipes, and laid a concrete base for a mobile home. It never ceases to amaze me how many people will respond to an appeal for help and will willingly give up their time to help complete a project such as this. We have been in Beckford for almost 25 years now, and the site has changed beyond recognition in that time. We have been in our purpose built hospital since 2001, and despite several worrying times when the funds have dipped in to almost nothing, we have managed to carry on our work and improve the care that we give year on year. The hospital complex contains full veterinary facilities, including digital x-ray; a separate building for larger mammals such as foxes, badgers and deer, complete with outdoor grassed
However, projects such as this are financially draining; for example, the cages alone the Hedgehog Unit cost ÂŁ30,000, and we would not have been able to purchase them without a grant from a charitable trust. Funding has always been our biggest stumbling block, especially now that our running costs are around ÂŁ30,000 each month, and financial support for wildlife rehabilitation being so difficult to secure; we could do much more work if we were able to attract more funding.
There are many important things on our wish list, including the construction of bigger and better aviaries, an otter rearing and rehabilitation unit, enclosed pools for water birds, and the building of better education facilities, to cater to the increasing number of courses and lectures we are running. We would also like to include temporary accommodation for some of the many vet and university students coming to us from all over the world to carry out work placements.
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I have dedicated the past 32 years of my life to wildlife rehabilitation and there have been many highs, and equally as many lows along with way, and many times when I have thought about giving it all up. It saddens me greatly that it is so difficult to get the necessary funding to expand this vital area of work in the UK, as so many more animals could be treated and returned to their natural environment. More wildlife hospitals are desperately needed; although there are people out there who are willing to dedicate their lives to this industry, the lack of funding makes it impossible for them to keep going.
Company: Vale Wildlife Hospital & Rehabilitation Centre Name: Caroline Gould, Charity Founder Email: info@valewildlife.org.uk Web Address: www.valewildlife.org.uk Address: Station Road, Beckford, Nr Tewkesbury, Glos, GL20 7AN Telephone: 01386 882288
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AH160004
Best Animal Welfare Academic - New Zealand
Professor David J Mellor works at Massey University, a tertiary education institution in New Zealand. His role has been to engage in research, teaching and service to benefit society in New Zealand, via the national and international impact of the work that he and his colleagues undertake. Specifically, David provides scholarly, practical and managerial leadership in his discipline areas of animal welfare science and applied physiology and bioethics, as recognised by the titles of the two Chairs he currently occupies; Professor of Animal Welfare Science and Professor of Applied Physiology and Bioethics David established the Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre (AWSBC) within Massey University 18 years ago. The centre’s mission, as he explains, is to provide practical, ethical and science-based advice, education and solutions to animal welfare problems and bioethical analysis and education. “Recipients of AWBSC outputs include researchers, scholars and postgraduate and undergraduate students, who are all members of the national and international academic community in our discipline areas. In addition, we provide consultancy advice on animal welfare science and its practical application in diverse animal-use sectors, and assist with the formulation of codes of animal welfare and animal welfare regulations, both within New Zealand and in other countries, including the UK, Australia, Canada, the European Union and in South East Asia. “We do not limit ourselves in our focus areas, instead choosing to remain general in our approach. This is indicated by the AWSBC’s mission statement, which gives direction to our activities. A multidisciplinary approach is an essential prerequisite for making progress in animal welfare science; accordingly, Centre members have been recruited specifically to provide wide discipline coverage, enhanced by extensive national and international collaborations with other researchers and scholars. The breadth of expertise covered includes veterinary preclinical, paraclinical and clinical disciplines, as well as farm, pet, service, sports, draught, wildlife, research and other species.” Speaking about his personal focus area, David notes that even from the time of his undergraduate degree in Australia in the early 1960s, he had an integrative, holist view of biological function, which deeply influenced his choice of research area, fetal and neonatal physiology, which emphasises whole-animal physiology.
“My research into this area began in earnest in 1966 with my University of Edinburgh PhD, conducted at the Moredun Research Institute, and completed in 1969. Thereafter, I was appointed as Head of the Physiology Department and Leader of the Perinatal Studies Unit at that Institute, and I held these positions for 18 years until late 1987, when I moved to New Zealand. “I had noticed that interest in animal welfare science had increased progressively since the late 1980s to the early 1990s, and the benefits of adopting a multidisciplinary approach to the area rapidly became apparent. Accordingly, when the opportunity arose for me to instigate and lead such research, I was well placed to encourage development of the broad foundations that would later support the depth and breadth of disciplines that existed in the AWSBC, from its launch in 1998.” The application of Animal Welfare Science is now truly global in its significance. David points to one notable example, the 18 Global Animal Welfare Standards issued by the World Organisation of Animal Health (OIE), which were passed with the unanimous approval of all 172-180 members countries over the last 12 years. “The AWSBC was adopted as the OIE’s Collaborating Centre for Animal Welfare Science and Bioethical Analysis in 2007, and was then the organisation’s only Collaborating Centre of that type. In 2009, we expanded the Collaborating Centre, under the same name, to incorporate four other animal welfare science centres and groups as partners, so now the final entity includes two in New Zealand and three in Australia. “Despite this notable collaboration and success, funding is always a challenge. Aside from that, we are very familiar with operating at the frontiers of knowledge and its application; indeed, our continuing significant contributions of that nature are sources of
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BI160019
immense satisfaction and are a major contributor to the high international standing of the AWSBC.” Looking to the future of animal welfare, David foresees that the past emphasis on minimising welfare states will increasingly be complemented by progressive emphasis being given to the promotion of positive welfare states. “In other words, the past focus on meeting the ‘survival’ needs of animals will continue, but added to that will be the provision of opportunities for animals to engage in rewarding activities; not just surviving, but thriving. There is already evidence of this trend emerging. “The future of the AWSBC is bright. Initiatives the other directors and I took have secured the Centre’s future for those whose careers depend on its continued existence. Key factors for this include the incorporation of the AWSBC into the structure of the Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences and reorganisation of the Directorate. I am now Foundation Director, tasked with the primary roles of mentoring staff, engaging in the formulation of fresh conceptual frameworks in Animal Welfare Science and promoting the AWSBC via my national and international networks. Of the two Co-Directors who have joint leadership roles, one is also the Centre Manager. The Deputy Director is academically and organisationally of very high quality, as is the Technical Director. These arrangements will see the Centre continue to thrive.”
Company: Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre Name: Professor David J Mellor Email: D.J.Mellor@massey.as.nz Web Address: http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/ learning/departments/centres-research/animalwelfare-science-and-bioethics-centre/animal-welfarescience-and-bioethics-centre_home.cfm Telephone: +64 21 390 855
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AH160016
Best Veterinary Technology Manufacturer - Netherlands
MXR Podoblock is a Netherlands based company suppling equine veterinarians around the world with quality, innovative X-ray accessories. We caught up with owner Nico Gorter to gain insight into how the firm constantly adapts its product range to meet the needs of its client MXR Podoblock BV devises, builds and supplies a complete line of practical accessories for equine veterinarians. Owned by former technicians and farriers, the firm draws on its expertise to support their clients, as Nico explains. “Here at MXR Podoblock our key focus is on inventing practical tools for equine vets to make their work safer and easier. The vast experience of myself and the firm’s senior team is based on working for an equine vet, X-raying and helping to treat horses for more than 25 years, and we draw on this constantly to create innovative solutions that are user friendly. “To achieve this we use the highest quality materials possible in all our products. In our gained experience we have come to recognize how important this is throughout the equine vet world. Our customer service is therefore based on the same experience: when service is required we will arrange for a solution that very same day. At MXR Podoblock this is priority number one and we take our client service very seriously.” With regards to the future, MXR Podoblock has a number of exciting projects coming up, which Nico is eager to outline. “Moving forward we will continue to focus our efforts on our overriding passion; inventing and creating new practical products for equine veterinarians. Currently we have two new products that are being prototyped and tested and we intend to release them in about three months’ time. Both products are designed to provide maximum radiation safety for both vet and animal, and we are looking forward to bringing them to market.”
Company: MXR Podoblock BV Name: Nico Gorter Email: info@mxr.nl Web Address: www.podoblock.com Address: Esweg 31 9475 Tm Midlaren The Netherlands Telephone:+31508200257
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WE DON’T JUST SELL GOOD PRODUCTS, THEY’RE WORKS OF ART, REALLY..