Ȥҹapp

The winners of the Ȥҹapp Wellbeing Awards, which are supported by ManyPets, have been named at the Ȥҹapp Awards Dinner at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole. The awards recognise veterinary workplaces that go above and beyond to support and enhance team wellbeing as highlighted in the Good Veterinary Workplaces Voluntary Code.

Small/Medium Practice (Up to 25 employees) winners: Vets for Pets Kirkcaldy, Fife

The practice really looks out for its staff, fosters an inclusive environment for LGBTQ members and arranging debriefs on cases and follow ups after challenging or difficult days.

Practice Owner and RVN Head Nurse Dawn Mackie said on behalf of her whole team, including her business partner practice manager and owner Sandie Hail: “We are so proud and overwhelmed to have won this award, it is incredibly rewarding to hear that our team members feel so supported in our workplace and empowered to achieve their goals and amphibians. We are so proud of our team and hope we can continue to help them grow and develop in their careers.”

Congratulating Vets For Pets Kirkcaldy, Ȥҹapp President Dr Rob Williams MRCVS said: “In veterinary practice, it’s inevitable there will be challenging and difficult days and, just because a practice is a small one, it’s no less important that the team feels supported, heard and cared for. Vets For Pets Kirkcaldy works really hard to look after its team and stood out as an exemplary workplace, following up with team members after challenging days and putting strong initiatives in place to support them, as well as small gestures to bring care and camaraderie to the workplace. Well done.”

Large Practice (Over 25 employees) winners: Chapelfield Vets, Norwich

Chapelfield Vets supports both its team and clients; it has an Autism Friendly accreditation; mental health first aiders and is as flexible as possible to all its staff, not just parents. There is also an effort made to recognise burnout and give back to the community, plus attention to physical wellbeing by arranging for staff to take part in charitable efforts such as the Shine walk to raise money.

On behalf of Chapelfield Vets, Monika Woolley, Lead Veterinary Surgeon, said: “We’re delighted to have been named the winning practice for the Ȥҹapp Wellbeing awards. At Chapelfield, we are committed to creating a supportive environment for both our team and our clients, ensuring everyone has a positive experience with us. By taking the time to understand the needs and experiences of our neurodivergent colleagues and clients, we can build a more inclusive practice, strengthen our team, and ultimately provide even better care. It’s wonderful to see this approach recognised through this award, and motivates us to do even more for our people, practices, and the wider profession.”

Congratulating Chapelfield Vets, Ȥҹapp President Dr Rob Williams MRCVS said:“We spend so much of our lives at work, it’s vital that everyone feels supported and able to be themselves in their workplace. Chapelfield’s support for its team’s welfare sets the bar high: there’s a strong effort made to support the team’s welfare, with mental health first aiders and efforts to recognise burnout, as well as being as flexible as possible to support life outside the practice as well as within it. Everyone there should be proud of the supportive environment they have built. Congratulations.”

Non-Clinical Workplace winners: SonoPath

SonoPath offers training, equipment, and telemedicine - all in the sphere of veterinary ultrasound and works to provide a source of sonographic pathology information accessible to veterinarians of all levels of canine, feline, and exotic medicine. Team members are encouraged to share suggestions, feedback, or concerns directly, without layers of hierarchy that might otherwise slow communication or discourage participation. 

Ȥҹapp President Dr Rob Williams MRCVS said: “SonoPath's leadership encourages open communication and ensures every team member has the ability to contribute ideas that can shape the company. With remote working being a big part of SonoPath, it would be easy for team members to feel isolated, but efforts are made to ensure strong relationships and communication. Innovation and improvement is encouraged and team members are supported at every level of the organisation.”

Stephanie Garbutt, Business Development and International Marketing Manager said: “We at SonoPath are truly humbled to be recognised alongside such incredible talent at the Ȥҹapp Awards. This recognition from the Ȥҹapp means a great deal to us both as a reflection of the work we do as company and of the team who built it! We believe that supporting our team and protecting their wellbeing is what allows us to continue our education-focused mission of supporting veterinarians and nurses at every stage of their ultrasound journey.”

On the Ȥҹapp Wellbeing Awards, Dr Kirsten Ronngren, Lead Vet at ManyPets said: “Prioritising wellbeing is vital for the veterinary profession: it's about creating workplaces where people can thrive in their work, not just get by, so we are delighted to be able to support the Ȥҹapp Wellbeing Awards for the second year running. It is a privilege to be able to celebrate these inspiring teams. We’re proud to shed light on Ȥҹapp’s initiatives which recognise the importance of sustainable teams, open conversations, and a culture that values every member of the profession.”

Ȥҹapp Awards

The Ȥҹapp Awards recognise inspirational vets from across the profession who: go above and beyond for their patients and clients; support wellbeing and positive workplace culture; drive positive change across sustainability; deliver inspirational leadership and mentoring; and push the boundaries of veterinary science.