A talented veterinary nurse at a Penrith practice is officially top of the class after being recognised for her work combining a degree with a full-time job.
Lottie Helm joined Veterinary Vision in June 2019 and has been working towards a part-time veterinary nursing top-up degree at Myerscough College, in Preston, alongside her day job.
Thanks to her hard work and dedication, Lottie graduated with first class honours and has been additionally recognised for her commitment with the Lorraine Allan Memorial Award, the college’s student of the year prize.
The award is named in memory of Myerscough’s former head of equine, farriery and veterinary nursing, who died last year.
The citation from Alison Robinson, chief executive and principal at Myerscough, praised Lottie for being a role model to all veterinary nurses who wished to advance their careers academically and for her “exceptional” dissertation, which looked into the utilisation of veterinary nurses.
The 23-year-old, who lives in Penrith, said: “I wasn’t expecting the award at all. When it arrived in the post, I didn’t realise what it was – my mum had to tell me!
“Veterinary nursing was always something I wanted to do. What we do at Veterinary Vision is very specialised, so I have had a lot to learn. You are using a lot of the skills you have learned every day.
“You never get the same day twice, there is always something different.”
Asked how she sees her career developing, Lottie added: “First it will be having a break from education after five years doing my degree. I am settled at Veterinary Vision and really enjoying it here, so I am looking forward to learning even more.”
