New vet is honoured by charity

Newly-qualified Anna Frykfors von Hekkel, 25, who works at Grove Lodge Veterinary Group in Worthing was awarded with a certificate after being named as a runner-up in the Cats Protection competition for her paper ‘FIV and FeLV testing in rescue and re-homing organisations – why, which cats, how, when?’

The Extra Mural Veterinary Study (EMS) Awards give veterinary students the chance to gain hands-on work experience at Cats Protection or Dogs Trust to enhance their studies.

Anna worked for the National Cat Adoption Centre in Chelwood Gate, Sussex – the largest rehoming centre of its kind in the UK.

She said: “I’m really grateful to Cats Protection for my placement there. It’s an incredible facility, with friendly, knowledgeable staff. I learnt a lot during my placement, from principles of shelter medicine and behavioural traits in cats, to neutering procedures and kitten socialisation.”

Cats Protection’s Director of Veterinary Services, Maggie Roberts, said: “The scheme is a great way to support veterinary students and give them experience of feline welfare issues while they are training.

“We had some very impressive entries and it was difficult for us to select winners.”