Vet Nurse of the Year honour for Sleaford's Sam

A staff member at a Sleaford vets has been named Vet Nurse of the Year ... for a second time in four years.
David Catlow, Blue Cross head of veterinary clinical services, Samantha Shand (centre), and BVNA president Samantha Morgan.David Catlow, Blue Cross head of veterinary clinical services, Samantha Shand (centre), and BVNA president Samantha Morgan.
David Catlow, Blue Cross head of veterinary clinical services, Samantha Shand (centre), and BVNA president Samantha Morgan.

Sam Shand, a veterinary nurse at Quarrington Veterinary Surgery, has received the accolade from the Blue Cross pet charity. She previously won the award in 2012.

Sam was nominated for her contribution ‘above and beyond her role, both for her commitments to charitable work and education’, a Blue Cross spokesman said.

The award was presented to her by David Catlow, Blue Cross head of veterinary clinical services, at the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) Congress in Telford, Shropshire last Friday.

Sam said: “I felt really emotional when I heard I had won the award for the second time. To win it once, let alone twice, is incredibly humbling. I’m sure there are others in the profession who do more.”

Mr Catlow said: “Congratulations to Samantha for winning the award, especially for the second time and from a record number of nominations - over 200!

“Blue Cross gives this annual award in recognition of the hard work of vet nurses across the UK and Samantha is a highly dedicated vet nurse who really goes that extra mile to improve the lives of pets, support their owners and work passionately to improve animal welfare.”

Blue Cross does not receive any Government funding and relies on donations to continue its valuable work.

To make a donation, find out more about the charity and pets needing new homes visit www.bluecross.org.uk.

To read about how Sam has help create a Poppy trail at Quarrington Veterinary Surgery Sam to pay tribute to animals used in conflicts, click here.