The Burgess Excel Vet Awards, which celebrate veterinary practices and individuals who work tirelessly to improve the lives of the UK’s pet rabbits and guinea pigs, has announced this year’s winners at the London Vet Show 2021.
A judging panel of industry experts, veterinary professionals and rabbit and guinea pig specialists chose one winner from a shortlist in six categories, who will each receive a cash prize of £250, along with a Burgess Excel Vet Awards trophy.
This year’s winners were judged on a range of criteria for each category, including evidence of exceptional knowledge of rabbit and guinea pig care and husbandry; outstanding care and attention to the needs of owners and their pets; and going above and beyond to improve the lives of rabbits and guinea pigs.
The winners and final shortlist for each category are as follows:
Rabbit Vet of the Year
Winner
- Dr Nadene Stapleton, Royal Veterinary College, Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital, London
Shortlisted
- Dr Sara Dias, Pride Veterinary Centre, Derbyshire
- Dr Sophie Jenkins, Origin Vets Clinic, Cardiff
- Dr Madonna Livingstone, Ark Veterinary Clinic, Coatbridge
- Dr Molly Varga Smith, Rutland House Exotics, St Helens
Rabbit Vet Nurse of the Year
Winner
- Rachel Sibbald, Abercorn Veterinary Centre, Edinburgh
Shortlisted
- Heidi Barringer, Wood Green, The Animals Charity, Godmanchester
- Katie Richmond-Jones, Downland Veterinary Group, Bognor Regis
- Victoria Stearman, Origin Vets Clinic, South Wales area
- Adina Valentine, Origin Vets Clinic, South Wales area
Rabbit-friendly Veterinary Practice of the Year
Winner
- Royal Veterinary College, Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital, London
Shortlisted
- Highcroft Exotic Vets, Bristol
- Origin Vets Clinic, Vale of Glamorgan
- Quantock Veterinary Hospital, Bridgwater
- Suffolk Exotic Vets, Suffolk
Rabbit Support Staff of the Year
Winner
- Corinne Voigt-Hill, Vets4Pets, Bangor
Shortlisted
- Chrystabel Burt, Medivet, Ashford
- Donna Robson, Pennard Vets, Sevenoaks
- Rachel Sanderson, Robert Jones Vet Surgery Blackpool
- Ellie Wright, Riversmeet Vets, Atherstone
Rabbit Student of the Year
Winner
- Grace Mee, University of Liverpool
Shortlisted
- Megan Bailey, Duchy College Rosewarne, Camborne
- Amy Loverance, Nottingham Veterinary School
- Sarah McMahon, University of Glasgow
- Tanya Peters, Harper Adams University, Newport, Shropshire
Guinea Pig-friendly Veterinary Practice of the Year
Winner
- Derwent Valley Vets, Matlock
Shortlisted
- CJ Hall Vets, East Sheen, London
- Highcroft Exotic Vets, Bristol
- Origin Vets, Cardiff
- Twickenham Vets, London
