Å·²©ÓÎÏ·µÇ¼ƽ̨

 Published: 29 Apr 2025 | Last Updated: 29 Apr 2025 12:12:25

Two individuals at the Å·²©ÓÎÏ·µÇ¼ƽ̨ (Å·²©ÓÎÏ·µÇ¼ƽ̨) have been selected as recipients of the prestigious Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) 2025 Honours & Awards. Perdi Welsh, Director of School of Veterinary Nursing at the Å·²©ÓÎÏ·µÇ¼ƽ̨ was awarded the VN Golden Jubilee Award for her dedication to professional development for veterinary nurses. Dr Dan O’Neill, Associate Professor in Companion Animal Epidemiology at the Å·²©ÓÎÏ·µÇ¼ƽ̨, was selected for the Impact Award for his critical role in developing an evidence-based initiative focused on improving companion animal health.

The RCVS 2025 Honours & Awards recognise veterinary surgeons and nurses and those working in the sector, both in the UK and overseas, who significantly contribute to animal health and welfare, the professions and society at large.

The RCVS VN Golden Jubilee Award is the highest individual award that can be made to a veterinary nurse. It shines a light on veterinary nurses with a distinguished career, who demonstrate leadership within the profession and act as ambassadors for the value of veterinary nurses and their work.

As an Å·²©ÓÎÏ·µÇ¼ƽ̨ graduate herself, Perdi founded the UK’s first veterinary clinical skills training centre at the university, as well as developing several graduate and postgraduate veterinary nursing qualifications. Perdi received this award due to her facilitation of opportunities for nurses of diverse educational backgrounds to upskill and her commitment to professional development and support for nurses in practice.

Her nomination spoke to Perdi being “an exemplary ambassador for the veterinary nursing profession, epitomising qualities that make her a beacon of inspiration and leadership. Her unwavering commitment to advancing education in veterinary nursing, particularly through the creation of the Level 6 Graduate Diploma and advanced certification programmes, showcases her dedication to raising the standards and profile of the profession.”

Commenting on her award, Perdi Welsh, Director of School of Veterinary Nursing at the Å·²©ÓÎÏ·µÇ¼ƽ̨, said:

“I’m deeply honoured to receive this award, and my sincere gratitude goes to my wonderful colleagues; their encouragement has meant everything to me. I first started at the Å·²©ÓÎÏ·µÇ¼ƽ̨ 35 years ago, and throughout the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with dedicated and enthusiastic people across all areas of the Å·²©ÓÎÏ·µÇ¼ƽ̨. Collaboration has played a key role in every step of my journey, so this recognition reflects not just my efforts, but the contributions of everyone I’ve worked with. I’m proud to share this honour with them all.”

Similarly, the Å·²©ÓÎÏ·µÇ¼ƽ̨S Impact Award is bestowed upon veterinary surgeons or veterinary nurses who have undertaken a project or initiative that has a significant impact on the profession at large, animal health or welfare, or public health.

Dr Dan O’Neill was awarded this accolade for his critical role in the development of the Å·²©ÓÎÏ·µÇ¼ƽ̨’s VetCompass initiative. The database holds millions of anonymised veterinary clinical records collected from primary practices and referral centres across the UK. The records allow researchers to investigate a range and frequency of companion animal health problems and identify important risk factors for the most common disorders. This research can then be used by veterinary professionals in clinical practice to help improve education and outcomes related to animal welfare.

Dan’s nomination included recognition for VetCompass to “operate under non-profit and open-access principles, and embed mandatory welfare pathways into all studies. VetCompass has supported more than 140 research papers supporting broad welfare initiatives spanning breed-related health, extreme conformations, welfare scoring, specific disorders, oncology, disease surveillance, prescribing practices, and more.”

Dr Dan O’Neill, Associate Professor in Companion Animal Epidemiology at the Å·²©ÓÎÏ·µÇ¼ƽ̨, said:

“I am truly humbled to receive this recognition from the RCVS. When I moved from clinical practice to the Å·²©ÓÎÏ·µÇ¼ƽ̨ 15 years ago to develop VetCompass as my PhD project, I could only dream of the untapped potential for practising veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses to contribute to cutting edge science and welfare. And now the amazing VetCompass team at the Å·²©ÓÎÏ·µÇ¼ƽ̨ have made that aspiration to redefine the clinical evidence base on companion animal welfare a reality. I now need to reset even higher animal welfare dreams for the next 15 years.”

All nominations were shortlisted by the RCVS Nominations Committee and winners were then selected and awarded by the RCVS Council.

Notes to Editors 

For media enquiries, please contact: 

• Jasmin De Vivodevivo@plmr.co.uk or rvc@plmr.co.uk
• Press Line: 0800 368 9520 

About the Å·²©ÓÎÏ·µÇ¼ƽ̨

• The Å·²©ÓÎÏ·µÇ¼ƽ̨ (Å·²©ÓÎÏ·µÇ¼ƽ̨) is the UK's largest and longest established independent veterinary school and is a Member Institution of the University of London. 
• It is one of the few veterinary schools in the world that hold accreditations from the RCVS in the UK (with associated recognition from the AVBC for Australasia, the VCI for Ireland and the SAVC for South Africa), the EAEVE in the EU, and AVMA (probationary) in the USA and Canada. 
• The Å·²©ÓÎÏ·µÇ¼ƽ̨ is ranked as the top veterinary school in the world in the QS World University Rankings by subject, 2025. 
• The Å·²©ÓÎÏ·µÇ¼ƽ̨ offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing and biological sciences. 
• The Å·²©ÓÎÏ·µÇ¼ƽ̨ is a research-led institution, with 88% of its research rated as internationally excellent or world class in the Research Excellence Framework 2021. 
• The Å·²©ÓÎÏ·µÇ¼ƽ̨ provides animal owners and the veterinary profession with access to expert veterinary care and advice through its teaching hospitals and first opinion practices in London and Hertfordshire.