History of our awards

BVA Advancement of Veterinary Science Award (Dalrymple-Champneys Cup and Medal) 

As a mark of the esteem in which he held the veterinary profession, Sir Weldon Dalrymple-Champneys presented a Cup to BVA in 1934. The object of this gift was to mark and recognise work of outstanding merit which it is considered will encourage the advancement of veterinary science.

BVA Animal Health and Welfare Overseas Award (J.Trevor Blackburn Award)

This award was instigated in 2006 in memory of J.Trevor Blackburn, President of BVA 1984-85, the Commonwealth Veterinary Association 1988-91, and the World Veterinary Association 1991-95.

In creating the award, BVA was mindful of the countless numbers of British vets who have worked overseas over the past 200 years.

Many of those in the early days were in the colonial service or, later, worked with government departments or aid organisations in newly independent countries. All contributed to the control of livestock disease and the raising of standards of animal and human health.

Today many vets still live and work overseas contributing to animal health and welfare, and environmental needs, in low and middle income countries. Often their they do not receive the recognition they deserve and the J.Trevor Blackburn Award, named after a colleague who believed passionately that the profession has so much to offer, provides an opportunity to reward those people.