Vet practice gives abandoned puppies second chance

Veterinary nurses at Stowe Veterinary Group, including former CCOAS students, have played a crucial role in helping to look after three puppies that were found abandoned just before Christmas.

The dogs were discovered in bushes near a lay-by in Colchester on 21 December 2023 by the driver of a broken-down lorry. The driver alerted the partner of a CCOAS student who was on placement at Moreton Hall Veterinary Centre in … Read more

CCOAS attends Suffolk Show

Showcasing core skills to the future of veterinary nursing.

This year, CCOAS was invited to have a stand in the Farm4Future section of the very reputable and well attended Suffolk Show.

Karen Lee and Lynette Overing, along with a number of our current students from the college, went along to showcase the diverse and impressive range of skills that veterinary nurses bring to the welfare of animals and to speak … Read more

CCOAS students celebrate at Westminster graduation

We were proud to see 15 of our students among the graduates at the Central Qualifications Graduation and Awards Ceremony at Central Hall, Westminster, on Saturday, 9 March.

Dressed in their ceremonial gowns, the graduates received their scrolls from adventurer, broadcaster and writer Ben Fogle while friends and family proudly watched on.

Ben Fogle also gave the keynote speech, in which he spoke about growing up in a veterinary household … Read more

CCOAS tutor wins national award

We’re delighted that Donna Green, one of our senior tutors, has won a Central Qualifications (CQ) Veterinary Nursing Educator Award.

Donna received the award at the CQ Graduation and Awards Ceremony, held at Central Hall, Westminster, on Saturday, 9 March. The annual awards celebrate the commitment and hard work of teaching staff who support veterinary nursing students, recognising their talent, skill, and dedication.

Part of the CCOAS team since 2020, … Read more

A night in the life of a veterinary nurse

Registered veterinary nurses play a crucial role in not only the day-to-day responsibilities within a practice, they’re an essential part of the team providing out of hours care. Along with the veterinary surgeon on call, the RVNs make sure the sick and injured animals are monitored throughout the night. Former CCOAS graduate, Scott Norman spoke to PetFocus about working as a night nurse. No two nights are the same and … Read more

Prickly patients – CCOAS students visit hedgehog rescue charity

First-year veterinary nursing students from CCOAS visited Suffolk Prickles Hedgehog Rescue recently as part of their training. They met some of the sick and injured patients currently being looked after by the charity and learned how to handle and care for hedgehogs.

Although veterinary nurses spend most of their time helping pets such as cats and dogs, rescue organisations and members of the public will often bring wildlife in need … Read more

CCOAS students gain insight into the life of a police dog

As part of their veterinary nurse training programme, second and third year CCOAS students are getting the opportunity to listen to a series of guest speakers to enrich their time spent at college.

One of the speakers was Paul Donovan, from Kent Police Tactical Operations Dog Unit, who visited the CCOAS college in Kent.

During Paul’s talk, students learnt about the breeds that are selected for the police unit; their … Read more

How I trained to become a veterinary nurse during lockdown

After experiencing glimpses of what being a veterinary nurse was all about when I worked as a veterinary receptionist, I applied and was accepted as a student veterinary nurse with the Central College of Animal Studies (CCOAS).

I was only six months into the Diploma of Small Animal Veterinary Nursing when the coronavirus pandemic hit and the Government advised us all to stay at home. In-person learning was halted and … Read more

Discovering my passion

David Bearder on life as a student veterinary nurse

Registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) are the backbone of any successful veterinary practice, providing emergency and routine healthcare to animals. From preparing patients for surgical procedures to educating owners on maintaining the health of their pets, the day-to-day responsibilities of a veterinary nurse are vast and varying.

We spoke to David Bearder, a student veterinary nurse studying with the Central College of … Read more

Meet the team! Stacey Westcott

Why I became a Veterinary Nurse?- I first became inspired to become a veterinary nurse when I was 11, my Aunt was a veterinary nurse at the time and she would bring home stray animals and particularly wildlife that needed care. She let me help with caring for them, I helped with hand rearing wild rabbits, squirrels, a badger, piglets and lambs from the farm. I wanted to make a … Read more

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