We chat to Renate, BEVA President about her Presidency so far and what is coming up in the next year. 

Renate, what have you been up to since you were elected as BEVA President? 

In October, I went to the BVNA and BCVA conferences. I have been part of several BVA working groups, including one on education and one on radiation safety... the latter being an uphill struggle to safeguard our interests. I have attended the pre-launch of the RCVS's graduate outcome consultation. I would like to urge all our members to contribute to the consultation when it comes out in November. It will really shape how we educate our future vets!

Your presidential theme is being a global profession, what are BEVA doing to celebrate this?

The veterinary recruitment and retention survey shows not only what is happening in the UK but also what is happening in the rest of Europe, the US, Australia and other countries. With the uncertainty of Brexit it is important to have information on what is happening globally. Horses are pretty much the same everywhere and our challenges are similar so I believe a combined approach makes us stronger. I will do my best to strengthen our international liaison.

What are you most excited about this year?

I'm particularly excited about the NEW online learning platform which complements the existing BEVA portfolio whilst offering additional routes for professional development and the coaching and mentoring programme.

We've recruited our first cohort of BEVA coaches, we had a great response and it makes me really proud to be part of a profession where so many people are willing to give up their time to help colleagues! We start training our first cohort soon and will open the programme up for people to sign up to once this has happened.

What do you think are the biggest challenges we’re facing as a profession and what are BEVA doing to support the profession? 

The uncertainty of BREXIT does prey on my mind... we are working as pro-actively as possible with other membership organisations to be ready for any eventuality. Veterinary employment as well as education is changing and BEVA is actively engaging with the process to make sure equine matters.

What three things would you like BEVA members to remember about your presidential year?

Being a horse vet is being part of an international community, giving and receiving support is part and parcel is part of being a horse vet and really being a horse vet is fun!