Former Animals Asia vet nurse Hayley Walters has been awarded the Veterinary Nursing Golden Jubilee Award for her exceptional work in animal welfare.

Hayley's hard work and dedication to animal welfare have been recognised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the UK veterinary governing body.

The anaesthesia and welfare veterinary nurse, who worked at Animals Asia’s Chengdu Bear Rescue Centre from 2006 – 2009, was nominated for her contribution to animal welfare through her teaching, clinical and international outreach work.

Now at the University of Edinburgh Hospital for Small Animals and the Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education (JMICAWE) at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Hayley is responsible for training both veterinary surgeons and VN students in all aspects of animal welfare, handling and pain management.

Kathy Kissick, Chair of the VN Council which elected Hayley for the award said:

“Hayley was chosen because of her extensive work above and beyond her normal role as a registered veterinary nurse [RVN] with regard to animal welfare in the UK and internationally.”

“She clearly demonstrates a gold standard ambassadorial role for the RVN.”

Hayley Walters said:

“I am incredibly thrilled to be receiving this award and would like to thank my colleagues who nominated me.”

“Veterinary nurses are very well placed to improve not only patient experience when they are being treated but also, after the patients leave, through the education of animal owners.”

"We must never stop caring, never stop learning and never stop trying to make a difference for every animal that comes into our lives. I am very grateful for this honour and would like to thank the RCVS for awarding it to me.”

Animals Asia founder and CEO, Jill Robinson MBE said:

“What a delight to see Hayley’s hard work and dedication recognised so publicly. These are very prestigious awards and no-one deserves this more than our Hayley whose care and expertise was a joy to have around our sanctuary where she gave the best care possible to our rescued moon bears.”

The VN Golden Jubilee Award was launched in 2011 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first training course for veterinary nurses.

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