The Links Group was certainly on Santa’s Nice List for 2024 – we are delighted to tell you now that our long-term supporters at BSAVA have given us a huge seasonal boost for 2025 by supporting a second series of Links Group training days throughout their regional network!
BSAVA have been supportive of The Links Group from our beginnings in 2001, when our founder Freda Scott-Park attended a conference called “Forging the Link” when she was BSAVA Public Relations Officer. Freda took on the role of BSAVA President in 2003 and continued her work in The Links Group. In 2018, BSAVA supported Freda and the team in setting up the first series of day meetings known as the Links Veterinary Training Initiative Days. Arranged throughout the BSAVA Regions, these face-to-face meetings provided essential training for all members of the veterinary team on non-accidental injuries (NAI) in animals, and the link between abuse of animals and abuse of people.
Covid interrupted this series, which re-started in BSAVA NI Region in February 2023 and finished in BSAVA NW Region in November 2024. The financial, administrative, advertising and moral support of BSAVA and the regions has been instrumental in the success of these days. With this backing, together we have been able to raise awareness of the link between NAI, domestic abuse, child abuse and animal abuse within veterinary teams and in allied professions working in safeguarding of people. 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 support veterinary team members 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.
We are currently planning our upcoming second series of face-to-face training days, which will run across the BSAVA regional network from 2025 – 2027, and cover our 25th anniversary in 2026. Sign up to our free quarterly newsletter here to be in the know, or check back on our training pages here. Courses will be available to book through the BSAVA CPD pages and will continue to be offered at reduced rates as a BSAVA member benefit.
Thank you for a great start to 2025, BSAVA!
