Pictured: 2022 finalist Kirsty French.

Three vets are in the running for the title. 

The finalists have been announced for this year's Young Vet of the Year award.

Alison Brough, Kirsty French and Hannah Hunt are the shortlisted finalists for the award, chosen from more than 100 entrants for their work, commitment and innovation in the early stages of their career.

Judges BVA president Malcolm Morley, RCVS president Melissa Donald, Professor the Lord Trees and Zoetis national veterinary manager Jonny Lambert selected the finalists, with last year's winner Alex Davies contributing.

Finalist Alison Brough has been nominated for making a significant difference to the lives of aquatic animals, creating strong relationships with clients as a fish vet.

Alison was raised in a farming family, and always knew she wanted to become a veterinary surgeon, fulfilling this ambition in 2017 when she graduated from the University of Liverpool. 

Following several years of farm animal practice, in 2022 Alison joined Scottish Sea Farms as a fish vet, where she primarily equips those who work directly with farmed fish with the skills and knowledge required to deliver the best possible care. Alison's 'recognition that a relationship with people is the path to helping animals' has made an greatly positive impact.

Small animal veterinary surgeon Kirsty French has been nominated for excelling at her clinical work, and co-leading her practice's environmental strategy. 

Kirsty's efforts have secured her practice a top-level Green Investors in the Environment accreditation, and now represents all practice colleagues at a Vets4Pets sustainability strategy steering group. 

Kirsty, described by her nominators as 'an exceptional vet, team member and environmentalist', graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2019, and has worked at Milton Keynes Vets4Pets ever since. 

Aberystwyth-based mixed animal veterinary surgeon Hannah Hunt has been nominated for her impressive surgical and clinical skills, enthusiasm and positive attitude.

Hannah takes on farm, equine and small animal work, and is learning to speak Welsh in order to strengthen her relationships with her Welsh-speaking clients at her bilingual practice. 

After graduating from the Royal Veterinary College in 2015, Hannah has gone on to promote 'big animal' veterinary practice on children's television, and has appeared on national radio to give veterinary advice. 

Hannah's nominators said that she has a 'terrific enthusiasm for her job, and continues to push herself to learn new skills and take up any opportunity given to her to progress and learn more.

BVA president Malcolm Morley commented on the finalists: “With over 100 nominations for this year’s Young Vet of the Year award, it was a tough job to select just three vets for our shortlist.

“These inspiring and dedicated finalists are a credit to the veterinary profession, and we know they have shining careers ahead of them. Congratulations to them all, this is a fantastic achievement, and they should be very proud.”

The winner of the award will be announced at the London Vet Show on Thursday 17 November.

Image (C) British Veterinary Association