Canine Health Schemes scrutineers honoured for outstanding contributions to the veterinary profession

Four Canine Health Schemes (CHS) scrutineers have been made Fellows of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), awarded for outstanding contributions to the veterinary profession.

The fellowships recognise veterinary surgeons who have made meritorious contributions to clinical practice, veterinary knowledge or the veterinary profession, by showing leadership and advancing knowledge and public understanding of veterinary science.

Showing the strength of the British Veterinary Association (BVA)/Kennel Club CHS scrutineer teams - who work across four programmes screening dogs for hereditary conditions so that breeders can make informed decisions about which dogs to include in their breeding programmes – the four scrutineers who will be made fellows at the RCVS Fellowship Day on 19 October are:

• Dr Angus Anderson, CHS Hip & Elbow Schemes Scrutineer, recognised for meritorious contributions to clinical practice
• Dr Ruth Dennis, Chief Scrutineer for the CHS Hip & Elbow Schemes and CHS Chiari-malformation/Syringomyelia Scheme Scrutineer, recognised for meritorious contributions to clinical practice
• Dr Clare Rusbridge, CHS Chiari-malformation/Syringomyelia Scheme Scrutineer, recognised for meritorious contributions to knowledge
• Professor Michael Herrtage, Chief Scrutineer for the CHS Chiari-malformation/Syringomyelia Scheme and CHS Hip & Elbow Schemes Scrutineer, recognised for meritorious contributions to the profession.

BVA President Gudrun Ravetz said:
“We send our warmest congratulations to our CHS colleagues on the award of these fellowships that reflect the professionalism, expertise and excellence of their work. Our scrutineers do invaluable work in helping to breed healthier dogs and improve the health of breeds susceptible to life-limiting conditions. We are proud to have these FRCVS scrutineers as part of our CHS team.”

To learn more about Canine Health Schemes and to see Professor Herrtage talk through the role of a scrutineer, watch our new veterinary View film on the importance of responsible dog ownership and breeding.