HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of the Association since 2003, has kindly agreed to extend her patronage for a further three years. Her Royal Highness has been most generous with her time and supportive of the work of the Association over this period. During her term as Patron The Princess Royal has opened BEVA Congress, supported the work of the BEVA Trust at fundraising events, attended the President’s Reception at Congress, opened the Congress trade show, chaired a day meeting, supported the Association at the launch of the Emergency Services Protocol and most recently attended the AGM and inaugurated current BEVA President David Dugdale. During the next three years it is very much hoped that Her Royal Highness will be able to support the work of the BEVA Trust and the Emergency Services Protocol.
The BEVA Trust has recently expanded the scope of its work to include supporting vets and institutions in the Developing World. This has included sending educational materials overseas to veterinary school libraries where resources are much needed and funding UK vets working overseas in the area of infectious diseases research, which greatly affects working eqiuds in the Developing World. Domestically the Trust also plans to expand its horse owner education by offering support to veterinary practices hosting client education evenings.
The Emergency Service Protocol is currently focussed on improving training amongst the UK’s Fire and Rescue Services. This will involve BEVA working closely with the Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) to reach a consensus on nationally-agreed standard operating procedures (SOPs) for large animal rescue and to develop best practice rescue techniques. This will help improve the safety of Fire and Rescue Service personnel as well as safeguarding the welfare of large animals involved in accidents. Filming for an awareness-raising DVD targeted at fire officers, vets and equine welfare associations is underway, and we also hope to raise awareness amongst the vets of the future by visiting vet schools to demonstrate rescue techniques and scenarios to final year equine-elective students