BVA names 2022 Young Vet of the Year
BVA President Malcolm Morley, Dr Hannah Hunt and Sarah Heming from Zoetis.
A veterinary surgeon from Aberystwyth has won a prestigious accolade in recognition of her dedication to excelling in first-opinion practice.
Dr Hannah Hunt, a mixed practice vet, was named BVA's Young Vet of the Year 2022 on Friday (17 November), beating off competition from more than 100 entrants. She received the honour at BVA's Gala Dinner, held at the London Marriott Hotel in Canary Wharf, as part of the London Vet Show.
The judging panel included BVA president Malcolm Morley, RCVS president Melissa Donald, Professor the Lord Trees, Zoetis national veterinary manager Jonny Lambert and 2021 award winner Alex Davies.
Judges praised Hunt's work as a small animal, farm and mixed animal vet and her efforts to promote being a “big animal vet” through her appearances on national radio and children's television.
Hannah, who graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2015, said of her achievement: “This is fantastic! I’m so pleased to accept this award. I want to say a huge thanks to my practice for giving me the freedom to explore my passions and enabling me to work with a wide of range of species. I want to particularly mention my mentors Dafydd, Phil and Kate, who inspired me to focus on what I love.”
BVA President Malcolm Morley added: “Hannah’s incredible enthusiasm and passion for her work as a mixed-practice vet really made her stand out to us. She is excelling in her work across species, which is challenging enough, but she’s also doing it at a high level. It is great to recognise the contribution that Hannah and other first-opinion vets make to our profession. I don’t mind saying, if I had all of the jobs she does in one week, I would think I had a pretty intense week ahead of me!
“Hannah is constantly striving to learn new skills and to progress in her career and is even learning to speak Welsh to strengthen relationships with her Welsh-speaking clients in her bi-lingual practice. A huge congratulations to Hannah, we know she has a bright future ahead of her.”
The BVA Young Vet of the Year Award celebrates the work, commitment and innovation of vets in the early stages of their careers. This year's other finalists included fish vet Alison Brough from Moffat and small animal vet Kirsty French from Milton Keynes.
Dr Morley continued: “The judges found it unbelievably difficult to narrow the nominations down to a final three. And selecting just one winner was even harder.
“Alison is a fish vet with Scottish Sea Farms and is making a huge impact to the lives of aquatic animals thanks to her people-focused approach to her work. She has made a big difference to her sector, equipping those who work most directly with farmed fish with the skills and knowledge to deliver the very best care for these animals.
“Kirsty has really made her mark as a small animal vet at her Vets4Pets practice. As well as excelling in her clinical work, she is championing environmental sustainability, not just in her own practice, where she has helped to reduce its carbon footprint, waste and anaesthetic gas usage, but across the whole Vets4Pets group.
“Both of them are to be applauded for their dedication and top-quality work, they are a credit to the profession and are well-deserving finalists. We wish them all the best for the no doubt shining careers.”
Image (C) British Veterinary Association.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
