This summer we've been showcasing our amazing vet nurses onthe 20th anniversary of Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month, and bringing youthe inspiring coming out stories some of our colleagues chose to kindly share for Pride Month this year. Read on to learn about how colleagues in Canada volunteer in their communitiesfor their annual Give Back Days and how they honoured Aleks’ Promise by providing teams with new mental wellbeing resources, and find out how you can attend our first-ever InnoV’aCtion event in Paris this October. Don’t forget, you can translate into your local language from each story. Got a story you’d like to see in the next We Share global newsletter? Email us at communications@ivcevidensia.com.
Video: Our latest Positive Pawprint Update is out now!
The next Positive Pawprint video update is here, with a selection of news from across our different regions highlighting our People, Planet and Patients pillars. From initiatives to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions both from our buildings and our fleet, to campaigns to promote diversity and inclusion, it’s been a fantastic collaborative effort by all our team members across many markets – thank you for continuing to help make IVC Evidensia grow as a force for good.
Canada Support Office teams support communities in second annual Give Back Days
For the second year running, our Support Office team members in Canada came together to aid local causes as part of the VetStrategy Give Back Days event. From supporting the Daily Bread Food Bank in Etobico*ke to helping with preparing food baskets in Montréal, an impressive 500+ hours was spent during April aiding community members in need. Thank you to all our generous colleagues who participated in Give Back Days this year!
Video: Watch our registered vet nurses say "Of course I can"
Did you catch the brilliant video of our nursing team as part of the 20th anniversary of Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month? With this year’s theme all about ‘Progression’, the film celebrates the incredible variety of jobs performed by our registered vet nurses, while showing the many hats worn by our RVNs in equine, small animal and exotics, and other departments. Based on the popular viral video trend “Of course I can,” it highlights the part that RVNs are playing in driving progression within veterinary. Group Veterinary Nursing Advisor, Liz Cox, commented: “We have put a great deal of work into creating career pathways for vet nurses to progress within our own group, but as a whole the profession is becoming a much more attractive prospect for RVNs to flourish and progress. Vet Nurse Awareness Month is an ideal opportunity to celebrate their vital role in our industry and give future vet nurses a platform to thrive.” A huge thank you to all our RVNs – we salute you!
Calling all veterinarian professionals: Join us at InnoV'aCtion in Paris on 4 October
We’re delighted to announce the launch of the first ever InnoV’aCtion: a liveevent that brings together veterinary professionals to share their clinical findings (which will also be translated in real-time from French to English). Taking place on 4 October 2024 at Centre Hospitalier Vétérinaire Frégis, one of our practices in Paris, we're offering you the chance to be part ofan audience of French-speakingprofessionals (France, Switzerland, Belgium and Canada) as well asattend an exclusive networking event and enjoy a tour of the hospital’s facilities. Register your attedance by completing this form– but hurry, as seats are limited.
Video: France clinic gets new radiotherapy equipment to improve cancer treatments
Investing in our clinics means we can also invest in our patients– as thanks to a new radiotherapy device at our Oncovet practice, our animals can receive improved care. Unique to France, the linear accelerator (Linac) allows the treatment of cancers through different techniques, including superficial electron treatments and 3D conformal radiotherapy. Some benefits include better precision in targeting tumours, a reduction in side effects for the animals and shorter definitive treatment protocols–watch this video where specialist in radiation oncology at the Oncovet clinic, Dr Jérôme Benoit, explains how the cutting-edge technology has made it possible to improve the treatment of cancer pathologies and the wellbeing of his patients.
Pride Month: A celebration of inclusiveness
This June, we highlighted the importance of LGBTQIA+ visibility and representation as part of Pride Month. Supporting our colleagues to be their true selves is all part of our People Promise to make IVC Evidensia a great place to work. We asked colleagues if they wanted to share their 'Coming Out' stories, and what a response we had! All over the world you sent in your heartfelt experiences, and we're extremely proud to share them with colleagues and the outside world in the hope that others also find them both inspiring and reassuring– a huge thank you to everyone for showing their support. If you would like to help champion diversity to create a greater sense of community at IVC Evidensia, join our employee-led LGBTQIA+ group or email aaron.kenny@ivcevidensia.com. We also had an extra reason to celebrate: VetStrategy is now officially Rainbow Registered! This accreditation, awarded by Canada's 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce, is recognition for their efforts in ensuring that their 2SLGBTQIA team members feel valued and respected – well done on this fantastic accreditation!
VetStrategy honours Aleks' Promise with new wellbeing resources for Mental Health Week
2024 marks the third year our Canadian teams commemorate their colleague Aleksander Kristensen, who passed away after experiencing depression. Through Aleks’ Promise, an initiative designed to address mental health impacting animal health professionals, VetStrategy has renewed its commitment to this programme with new resources for their clinics. Running in the first week of May as part of Mental Health Week, they held a self-care and compassion webinar to better understand compassion fatigue, featuring Dr Tiana Kelly from Not One More Vet. They also supported the training of 30 Practice Managers from clinics across Canada in Mental Health First Aid, and have also made a donation in Aleks’ memory to the Canadian Mental Health Association Halifax-Dartmouth Branch.
SPOTLIGHT: GRADUATE SPECIAL
Welcoming future veterinary professionals at the IVC Evidensia Graduate Academy
Earlier this month more than 400 graduates came together for the sixth IVC Evidensia Graduate Academy Congress held in Birmingham, UK.
The two-day event saw graduates listen to a fascinating keynote speech on strength, resilience and mindfulness from Royal Air Force squadron leader, Sarah Furness, and take part in a number of workshops while also enjoying the chance to network with their peers. Designed to encourage collaboration as well as inspire the next generation of veterinary graduates, it was a brilliant opportunity to experience insightful training and learn more about our support teams including Animal Welfare and Sustainability. Thank you to everyone who helped organise this fantastic event!
Would you like to become an IVC Evidensia Graduate Academy Ambassador?
If you're currently enrolled in a Graduate Academy Programme and have an interest in supporting the professional and personal growth of vets, then the Graduate Academy Ambassador role would be perfect for you. For a maximum total of just 4 hours a month, your involvement will go a long way in helping our graduates interest? Visit the International Graduate Academy hub on our Group intranet, or email our International Graduate Academy Manager, Nicki Cresswell, by emailing nicki.cresswell@ivcevidensia.com or our UK and Ireland Graduate Academy Manager, Nathan Booth at nathan.booth@ivcevidensia.com no later than 15 July 2024.
