Dot receiving her award from the outgoing president of the RCVS, Stuart Reid.

Golden Jubilee award presented to Dot Creighton

Dot Creighton has been presented with this year's VN Golden Jubilee Award, in recognition of her exceptional contribution to raising awareness of the veterinary nursing profession.

During her year as president of the British Veterinary Nursing Association, Dot created the concept of VN Awareness Day, which has since become VN Awareness Month.

Every May, thousands of veterinary nurses take part in the event to help raise awareness among the general public of what the profession does and how vital nurses are to clinical practice and animal welfare.

Dot has been a nurse for more than 20 years, working with a variety of species - including kangaroos, lion cubs and giraffes. She is also a former member of the VN Council. Dot currently works at Millennium Veterinary Practice in Essex, where she has been since 2003.

The VN Golden Jubilee Award was launched in 2011 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the RCVS's first veterinary nursing training course. It recognises people who have made outstanding contributions to the profession.

Dot was revealed as the 2015 winner in May and presented with her award on RCVS Day (10 July).

Chair of the VN Council Kathy Kissick commented in May: "Dot is an inspiration to many, many nurses and always commits 100 per cent to the welfare of the animals in her care and to her clients. I congratulate her on achieving this award."

Image courtesy of the RCVS