Compassion and empathy are very important qualities in veterinary nursing. However, as soft skills, they are assets that are sometimes undervalued or under appreciated in practice.
Each year, the BVNA hosts its ‘Unsung Heroes’ awards, which set out to celebrate veterinary nurses who are championing excellence in their role. For 2026, the organisation selected the theme of ‘Compassion and Empathy’.
During Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month 2026, which took place in May, the BVNA aimed to change the perception of compassion and empathy by inviting colleagues and clients to nominate the veterinary nurses and nursing teams who have made a lasting difference through their care, kindness and dedication. From the near 200 nominations received, the BVNA selected Sharon Phillips as its individual winner and the nursing team at Barrow Hill Vets as its team winner.
Read on to learn more about Sharon and the Barrow Hill Vets team.
Individual Winner: Sharon Philips, Medivet Leominster
After more than three decades of working in practice, Sharon Philips (affectionately known to her colleagues as ‘Shazzy’) was named BVNA’s 2026 Unsung Hero.
Her nomination is backed by complementary quotes from her colleagues, all of which come together to paint a picture of the value Sharon adds to her team. Described as ‘so empathetic with animals, and all the clients adore her’, Sharon was recognised for her exceptional empathy towards both animals and clients, as well as the unwavering support she provides to her colleagues every day.
“Basically, without her at the helm, our practice would be a far less bright and enjoyable place to work.”
Sharon’s nomination also showcases the care she has for her fellow team members in practice. From celebrating colleagues’ birthdays to lifting spirits with her infectious laughter, Sharon is described as ‘the heart’ of Medivet Leominster. A worthy winner indeed!
Team Winner: The veterinary nursing team at Barrow Hill Vets
Nominations for the Barrow Hill Vets veterinary nursing team reflect a clear culture of compassion within the practice.
The team’s nomination comes from a colleague who experienced hardship in their personal life, the nomination reflects that the team quietly stepped in with practical, emotional and financial support, including regular check ins to ensure their colleague never felt alone.
“I was lost for words as I have never experienced kindness like this before, so it seems appropriate that this year’s VNAM theme is compassion and empathy.”
What do these awards mean for the profession?
While the ‘Unsung Heroes’ awards aim to recognise excellence within the veterinary nursing profession, the choice of compassion and empathy as key focal points recognises the importance of these skills more broadly. Whether it’s supporting a grieving owner, building trust with an anxious patient or supporting our colleagues, having these qualities helps to build relationships with clients and within our own teams.
BVNA President Sarah Holliday shared that the response to this year’s competition demonstrated just how many veterinary nurses are making a lasting impact behind the scenes. She says, “we received nearly 200 truly inspiring and uplifting nominations, all of which completely embodied this year’s theme of compassion and empathy, and it was incredibly difficult for our VNAM committee to shortlist them. While I congratulate this year’s worthy winners, I would also like to congratulate every one of the deserving nominees. We hope the campaign has provided the profession with the boost of positivity and recognition that we aim to achieve during VNAM each year.”
Read more from the nominations of Sharon and the veterinary nursing team at Barrow Hill Vets, and learn about the runners up in both categories on the BVNA website: https://bvna.org.uk/blog/bvna-announces-veterinary-nursing-awareness-month-2026-unsung-heroes-winners/
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