"Rachel, who is a veterinary nurse, founded TOLFA (Tree of Life for Animals) in 2005 to alleviate the large-scale suffering of animals on the streets of Rajasthan in India. Through Rachel’s vision and leadership, TOLFA has established a loyal and dedicated team of staff in India who deliver high quality animal care services in circumstances that are often challenging. TOLFA offers its services through four main projects – Rescue & Care, Rural Animal Health, Anti-Rabies & Sterilisation and Education. In 2018, the charity rescued 6,392 animals, providing 107,492 individual treatments to those animals. TOLFA’s rescue team responded to 9,801 emergency rescue calls in 2018. 14,741 animals were treated through Rural Animal Health, with 12,968 being goats belonging to subsistence farmers and the poor."

The awards were hosted by TV presenter and animal lover, Matt Baker, and renowned retired veterinary surgeon, Chris Laurence MBE FRCVS, who puts his name to the Vet of the Year Award. They recognise the achievements of remarkable people from the farming, veterinary and charity industries, who go beyond the call of duty to better the lives of animals around the world. The awards’ ceremony on 3 April in the run up to BSAVA (British Small Animal Veterinary Association) Congress saw praise bestowed on all the shortlisted nominees and winners were announced across eight categories.

Speaking from India after receiving the news, Rachel said: “I am honoured and delighted to have won the Vet Nurse of the Year Award at the Ceva Animal Welfare Awards and would like to thank the whole TOLFA team for their hard work in Rajasthan to better the lives of the animals on the streets.”

Congratulations Rachel, we're all so proud of you!