Working to promote and support companion animal practice in new zealand
CAV Committee activities and meeting highlights
In December 2021, the CAV President spoke on behalf of CAV members at the Special General Meeting that was called as a result of the disestablishment of the Chief Veterinary Officer role at the NZVA. Much of what was put forward was based on feedback from CAV members gathered through a survey conducted immediately prior to the SGM. At the time of this newsletter going to print an independent review was underway focusing on the 2019 changes to the constitution and on governance of the NZVA to determine if they are meeting member needs. Results of this review are expected to be shared with members in April 2022.
Puppy socialisation resource and webinar
We are pleased to share a new client resource with members, full of useful information about socialising new puppies while they are completing their primary vaccination course! The resource has been developed as part of last year’s ‘Puppy Project’ that aimed to provide clinicians with good information about how to balance the need for effective socialisation of puppies that are not yet fully vaccinated against parvovirus. Jess Beer of Kiwi Vet Behaviour worked with a group from the CAV committee to the double-sided A4 handout, which will also be shared with our friends at Companion Animals NZ. It can be downloaded from the Companion Animal Health and Welfare page of the Positions and Resources section on the NZVA website (https:// www.nzva.org.nz/resource/companionanimal/) and is reproduced on page 12. Rounding out CAV’s puppy socialisation resources, Dr Jess Beer (veterinary behaviourist) and Dr Lyndsay Skyner
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(animal behaviourist and member of the CANZ training accreditation panel) present a webinar on the importance of puppy socialisation and choosing the right trainer. The webinar was presented on 3rd March. If you were unable to make it on the night, be sure to check out the recording once available! See the Companion Animal page of the NZVA’s Education Hub for more details.
Dechra/CAV A Week With… grant applications open
Applications for the Dechra A Week With… grant are open until the end of March. This grant provides general practitioners the opportunity to spend time alongside a specialist or special interest practitioner who works in the GP’s field of interest. Our host practitioners for 2022 are: Dr Lucy Scott, Veterinary Behaviour Services NZ, Waikato l Dr Becky Murphy, TCI Glenbred, Feilding l Dr Steve Heap, McMaster & Heap, Christchurch l Dr Alastair Coomer, Veterinary Specialists Aotearoa, Christchurch Applications close on 31st March. More information and application forms can be found on the CAV branch page of the NZVA website (https://www.nzva.org.nz/ branches/cav/) or email cav@vets.org.nz l
achievements and dedication of individual veterinarians. Each year it is presented to a CAV member who has contributed significantly to the branch or to the companion animal sector of the veterinary profession over a number of years. A list of previous recipients of the award is available on the CAV branch page of the NZVA website (https://www. nzva.org.nz/branches/cav/). If you know someone you think should join the list of winners, then nominate them now! Your nomination should include the person’s name, current location, role and a brief outline of why you believe their contributions should be recognised. Please email nominations to cav@vets.org.nz by Monday 14th March 2022.
Executive committee meeting The CAV executive committee will have their first meeting of 2022 later this month. Agenda items will include: l
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Recruitment update of the Head of Veterinary Services – Companion Animal role. Feedback from interviews for the independent review. Planning for CAV's 50th anniversary celebrations. CAV Annual Service Award recipient for 2022. l
CAV Annual Service Award nominations are open The CAV executive committee invites you to nominate a deserving CAV member for this year’s CAV Annual Service Award. This award was first initiated in 1993 to celebrate the
Companion Quarterly: Official Newsletter of the Companion Animal Veterinarians Branch of the NZVA | Volume 33 No 1 | March 2022
