Ȥҹapp

Ȥҹapp Animal Health and Welfare Overseas Award (J. Trevor Blackburn Award)

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Ȥҹapp Animal Health and Welfare Overseas Award (J. Trevor Blackburn Award) recognises a veterinary professional who has improved animal health and welfare overseas.

They have contributed to sustainable development and made a meaningful impact on animal health and welfare in low and middle income countries.Ìý

Who can enter

Ȥҹapp’s Animal Health and Welfare Overseas Award is open to all vets registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

Anyone can put forward a candidate, but self-nominations are not considered. 

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What the judges are looking for

The judges are looking for a single statement (maximum 400 words) which outlines and evidences:

  • Work overseas
    Evidence of work overseas, preferably in low and middle income countries. Nominations should include a list of countries worked in.
  • Positive impact
    Significant contributions overseas in areas such as animal health, animal welfare, public health, environmental needs and/or communities. Work should contribute to sustainable initiatives based on contextual solutions that are locally driven.
  • Strengthened in-country systems
    Evidence of working with the expertise of local veterinary professionals and of strengthening and supporting demand for in-country veterinary systems, eg by developing locally led initiatives and local capacity of veterinary professionals or paraprofessionals.

How to nominateÌý

It’s easy to apply by completing our online form.Ìý

To complete your nomination, you will need: Ìý

  • Your nominees full name, email,

Nominations are now open. Please submit by 23 November.

Previous winners of the Ȥҹapp Animal Health and Welfare Overseas Award (J. Trevor Blackburn Award)

Ȥҹapp Animal Health and Welfare Overseas Award (J. Trevor Blackburn Award) 2026 Image

Ȥҹapp Animal Health and Welfare Overseas Award (J. Trevor Blackburn Award) 2026

Romain Pizzi BVSc MSc PhDÌýDZooMedÌýDipECZMÌýMANZCVS FRES FRSB FRGS FRCVSÌý

Roslin, Midlothian, ScotlandÌý

DrÌýRomain Pizzi, pastÌýPresident of Ȥҹapp’s Scottish BranchÌýhas been named the winner in recognition of his work overseas with local veterinary and animal care teams, for a range of wild and endangered species. A RoyalÌýCollege ofÌýVeterinaryÌýSurgeons (RCVS)Ìýrecognised specialist in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine andÌýEuropeanÌýrecognisedÌýspecialist in Zoological Medicine (Zoo Health Management), Romain is knownÌýfor performing and publishingÌýa number ofÌýglobal firsts for wildlife medicine.ÌýRomain has delivered real-world impactÌýon animal welfare through direct engagement with new and novel surgical techniques. An unwaveringly strong representativeÌýof the UK veterinary sector overseas, Romain not only continues to pioneer new techniques but actively engages in theÌýteaching of such techniques and skills through engagement with theÌýlocalÌýveterinary communities, delivering meaningful benefits forÌýwildlife health and welfare overseas.Ìý

You can learn more about our previous winners here:

Previous winners