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The veterinary voice for animal welfare: reflecting on BVA’s updated Animal Welfare Strategy
11 Jul 2025
Celebrating Young Vets: The Impact of Recognition and Mentorship
In 2022, Hannah Hunt was named BVA Young Vet of the Year in recognition of her passion for veterinary medicine and exceptional dedication to her work as a mixed practice vet.
Working across farm animals, equine and companion animal practice, Hannah’s award celebrated her commitment to providing high-quality care across multiple species. In this blog, Hannah reflects on the impact of receiving this recognition, navigating imposter syndrome as a young vet, and why celebrating, encouraging and supporting the next generation is so important to the veterinary profession. Four years on, Hannah reflects on what winning the award meant to her, how it helped shape her confidence as a young vet, and why recognising and supporting the next generation matters more than ever.
"Being part of this profession in something I am immensely proud of, and I still look back on winning BVA Young Vet of the Year in disbelief. I was surprised enough to receive the call from Malcolm Morley, the BVA president at the time, to say I had been nominated and made one of the finalists, that alone was an achievement to me. But to win the award was a privilege and an astounding moment, given all the other incredible young vets out there.
"I think imposter syndrome is often a vet’s companion from the first day and continues throughout the career. As a new graduate I found it hard to fathom how all the skills and knowledge I saw in other colleagues could be attained by myself with the same competency and efficiency. However, being nominated for the award highlighted what others could see in me, even if I couldn’t appreciate it myself, and that is something I am very grateful for. It continues to encourage me to pursue this career and further challenge myself.
"Young vets need recognition, whether publicly or privately. A colleague informing a young vet of a job well done, acknowledgement of effort and skill, celebrating passion and dedication, are all vital. It generates fulfilment, perseverance and joy for that young vet in their vocation.
"Winning the award was a wonderful moment and has since afforded me some other opportunities, such as sitting on discussion panels in national and global animal health conferences, and participation in radio and television interviews. I would encourage colleagues in the veterinary profession, in whichever sector, to seek out the young vets around them, to remind them everyone was there once, celebrate their wins, help in the losses, mentor them, support them, and nominate them!"
Would you like to nominate someone for BVA Young Vet of the Year 2027?
Find out more about the award, or go straight to the nomination form.
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