Being the recipient of an inaugural award for clinical excellence is ‘‘really special’’, says Ashburton veterinary nurse Rebekah Welsford.
Welsford who works at Evolution Vets has been recognised with the NZ Veterinary Nursing Association Clinical Excellence Award, from pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim.
The award for skill, leadership and commitment, comes with a $3000 professional development grant.
Welsford, 24, said her passion for animals started as a child, when she was growing up on a lifestyle block in Rangiora.
She had cats, dogs, guinea pigs and horses.
‘‘I snuck a kitten home and managed to keep it a secret for about a week before mum found out,’’ Welsford said.
The black and white kitten, from a pet store behind her high school, worked its charm and was allowed to stay.
‘‘It was always going to be animals (for my career),’’ Welsford said.
She graduated with a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing in 2021 and has been at Evolution Vets ever since.
Veterinarian Juan Gray, who nominated Welsford for the award, said she was a driving force for innovation at Evolution Vets.
“Rebekah is a true advocate for her patients. She’s constantly looking for opportunities to help improve clinical standards. We’re proud to see her recognised for her exceptional work,” Gray said.
Welsford introduced new pain relief protocols for animals undergoing routine procedures, including ketamine boluses and intravenous paracetamol.
She spearheaded a business case for updated patient warming systems and lead education sessions to upskill her fellow nurses in recognising patients’ reaction to anaesthetic and managing their pain responses.
She also runs the clinic’s popular puppy school – engaging with pet owners on early care and training.
Boehringer Ingelheim New Zealand spokesperson Richard Duckworth said the award was part of a broader commitment to retaining veterinary nurses in the industry.
“Veterinary nurses play a vital role in advancing animal care, yet their contributions are often under-recognised,” Duckworth said.
The award was at a critical time – Boehringer Ingelheim’s Taking Animal Health Forward whitepaper revealed only 26 per cent of veterinary nurses in New Zealand expected to stay in the profession until retirement, and 88 per cent felt their work was not well understood or appreciated by the public.
The NZVNA Clinical Excellence Award will be presented annually, continuing Boehringer’s support for veterinary professionals and their ongoing development. Applications for the 2026 award will open early next year.
