Hollysdad Posted March 25, 2013 Report Share Posted March 25, 2013 Samantha is a finalist for the Ceva Animal Welfare Awards in the International Volunteer category. She works so hard and its fantastic to see her work getting recognised, I am so proud of her and everything she does This is the wording from the Press release Ceva have put out: The nationwide awards, held by Ceva, manufacturers of Feliway and Adaptil, will celebrate volunteers, charity workers, veterinary professionals and young people who have all demonstrated dedication to animal welfare. Samantha, originally from London where she worked in the engineering department for the London Underground. After the 7/7 bombings she was made the site manager of Edgware Road, assisting the police investigations, removal of the damaged train and reopening of the station. However shortly afterwards when her role was made redundant she wanted some time out so headed to volunteer in Sri Lanka. It was here, in 2006, that Samantha became aware of the welfare problems and desperate need for sterilisation amongst street dogs in Sri Lanka and as a result she founded her charity Dogstar. After setting up the charity, Samantha has been working tirelessly to ensure thousands of dogs and cats are sterilised every year, as well as educating the children in the need for vaccination against diseases such as rabies. Last year Samantha organised a teaching clinic for western vets to work with Sri Lankan students in the improvement of animal care and treatments. Samantha said: “ we’ve sterilised over 3,000 dogs so far and vaccinated more than double that against rabies. This is the only way we can reduce the stray population effectively and there’s still a lot to be done. “I spend between three and six months of the year over in Sri Lanka and the work is incredibly varied and exciting. There’s so much work to do over there in terms of vaccinating and sterilising but also in educating people in animal welfare. We’re fundraising, training teachers, teaching young children about animals and developing a workshop demonstrating surgical protocols in a field clinic environment. It keeps me very busy” “When I’m back in the UK I manage the fundraising, digital media and charity governance as well as looking after the team back in Sri Lanka remotely via emailing and Skype. However, in April of this year both my husband and I will be moving out there to volunteer full time which we’re very excited about.” Ginette Bryant of Ceva Animal Health said: “The International Volunteer Award category is more competitive than ever this year; there were just so many fantastic candidates who dedicate their lives to animal welfare. We’re really excited about the awards but the judges have an extremely tough job on their hands.” Ceva Animal Health’s judging panel consists of celebrity vets Marc Abraham and Joe Inglis, as well as veterinary surgeon Chris Laurence MBE, Ross Tiffin of the Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB) and Dennis Baker OBE Chief executive at Wood Green, the Animal Charity. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on April 3 2013. For good measure she also got an article in the Southwark News! (being a Peckham girl) :-) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trallwm farm Posted March 25, 2013 Report Share Posted March 25, 2013 Thats utterly brilliant and Im not surprised you are proud of her. Well done BOTH of you for your commitment and the difference you have made to so many animals lives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen Posted March 26, 2013 Report Share Posted March 26, 2013 That's a wonderful write up and the Southwark News bit is fabulous! Good luck on the 3rd Sam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murtle Posted March 26, 2013 Report Share Posted March 26, 2013 (edited) Aw, not surprised you are proudly of her Mark. She is an amazing lady :-) xxx Edited March 26, 2013 by murtle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz Posted March 26, 2013 Report Share Posted March 26, 2013 fantastic! we are so proud of you too xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindere528 Posted March 26, 2013 Report Share Posted March 26, 2013 You are right to be proud of her. Fingers crossed that she wins the award on April 3rd 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gooster Posted March 26, 2013 Report Share Posted March 26, 2013 You are right to be proud of her - she is an amazing person, and if she doesn't win the award, I will be surprised We are all so proud of both of you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackmagic Posted March 26, 2013 Report Share Posted March 26, 2013 You are right to be proud of her but she couldn't have achieved it all without your support so you deserve some kudos as well. Good Luck on the 3rd. I hope you have an award to take back to Sri Lanka with you. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
griff Posted March 26, 2013 Report Share Posted March 26, 2013 well done Sam and Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted March 26, 2013 Report Share Posted March 26, 2013 Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happylittlegreensquirrel Posted March 26, 2013 Report Share Posted March 26, 2013 Thank you all , it was a real shock to get the call from Ceva You are right to be proud of her but she couldn't have achieved it all without your support so you deserve some kudos as well. Totally true This is why I would like to win to be able to tell more people that I do run Dogstar with the support of just 2 people , hubbie Mark and our in country volunteer Mo. All 3 of us are also trustees and between us all we manage all Dogstars services and all the fundraising/social media / website and Charity Governance. If I win it will be an award shared between us all 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen Posted April 4, 2013 Report Share Posted April 4, 2013 I was thinking the awards were today, so was going to wish you luck. But I've just realised that it all happened yesterday - so how did it go?! Hope that you had a good evening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happylittlegreensquirrel Posted April 4, 2013 Report Share Posted April 4, 2013 I did'nt win but realistically I knew I was unlikely too It was a fantastic night , amazing event and I have a very sore head today Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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