Earlier this year we told you about receiving an unexpected Santa surprise when our colleagues at BSAVA gave us the good news that they would support a second series of the face-to-face Links Veterinary Training Initiative. These multi-agency days on recognising and acting on non-accidental injuries (NAI) in animals, and the link between abuse of animals and abuse of people are open to all members of the veterinary team, as well as any interested member of human health and safeguarding professions.
BSAVA have been supportive of The Links Group from our beginnings in 2001. At that time our founder, Freda Scott-Park, was BSAVA Public Relations Officer and attended a conference called “Forging the Link”. From there, Freda started The Links Group, became BSAVA President in 2003, and continued her work with the first series of day meetings known as the Links Veterinary Training Initiative Days which started in 2018 and were delivered through the BSAVA Regions.
We completed this first successful series in November 2024, which wouldn’t have been possible without the financial, administrative, advertising and moral support of BSAVA and the regions.
Thanks to BSAVA’s backing, together we have been able to raise awareness within veterinary teams, and in allied professions working in safeguarding of people, of the link between NAI, domestic abuse, child abuse and animal abuse. This has increased the profile of the veterinary professions in this important area of One Health, One Welfare.
As a result of BSAVA support, we have been able to assist veterinary team members to recognise and be prepared to address non-accidental injuries in practice, and better support colleagues, clients and patients who may be experiencing abuse. These training days highlight the importance of how multi-agency working and cross-reporting helps ensure a better outcome for all victim-survivors of abuse, both animal and people.
The 2025 dates and venues for our second series of face-to-face training days have now been confirmed as:
- 4th June 2025, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Scottish Region
- 25th September, The Bridge Hotel at Wetherby, North East Region
- 12th November, Sketchley Grange Hotel & Spa, East Midlands Region
You can book through the BSAVA Regional CPD pages or be directed there from our training pages. Courses will continue to be offered free of charge to BSAVA members as a BSAVA member benefit and at minimal charge (costs) to ensure these essential courses remain affordable accessible.
Sign up to our free quarterly newsletter here to be in the know about upcoming training, both in person and online.
Thank you to BSAVA for their invaluable support.
