Vet Class Notes Spring 2025
Updates from fellow alumni
Jasmin Paris MBE (BVSc 2008), who made history last year by becoming the first woman to complete the Barkley Marathon, has been featured as the cover star for the March edition of Runner’s World. You can read her interview for the magazine here: Jasmin Paris: Meet the British ultrarunner on our latest cover.
Joseph Angell (BVSc 2008, Veterinary Epidemiology 2016) completed the Montane Spine Race, crossing the line six days later. Joseph enjoyed ‘nearly’ every minute out on the course having worked hard for his first Winter Spine Finish.
Class of 1984 have donated a collective gift of £52,500 in support of the Reeves International Travel Fund. If you and your cohort would like to give a class gift to support this fund or similar, please click here: Donate now | Giving | University of Liverpool.
Thank you to the alumni volunteers who supported the BVSc interviews for the E2025 cycle. Applicants were not interviewed face-to-face this year but via recorded questions. School of Veterinary Science staff and volunteers marked these recordings either for a half-day or full day. If you would like to support as an external marker in a future cycle, please register your interest: School of Veterinary Science volunteering opportunities - Alumni - University of Liverpool.
Upcoming reunions
Class of BVSc 2000 are invited to your 25-year Reunion Weekend in June 2025!
Date: 7-8 June 2025
Location: Liverpool and Leahurst
Please reserve your spot at the reunion weekend now via the Alumni Engagement team. You can also join and follow BVSc Class of 2000 Facebook event page to stay updated on the weekend. This event is being organised by your former classmates Darrell Nazareth and Mari Nicholls Espetvedt.
Class of BVSc 2015 are invited to your 10-year Reunion Weekend in August 2025!
Date: 9-10 August 2025
Location: Leahurst and the Wirral
Please reserve your spot at the reunion weekend now via Eventbrite. You can also join and follow the BVSc Class of 2015 Facebook group to stay updated and connect with your classmates. This event is being organised by your former classmates Nicola Rolph, Anna Mawston, and Rachel Steele (née Darlow).
In Memory
It is with sadness that we inform our alumni community of the death of Professor Don Kelly on 1 April 2025. Professor Kelly returned to Liverpool in 1979 to take over the Pathology Department at the Faculty of Veterinary Science after a period at the University of Pennsylvania. He made a rapid impact, his standards were high, and nobody got a pass without earning it. He greatly strengthened the programme, leaving a legacy of excellence. He also had a big impact on students as a committed mentor and helped many students on the programme. A few days before his death, Dean Professor Paul Lunn and Dr Andy Stringer were able to visit Don and his wife and commented that he was in remarkable spirits. He did not want to talk about his health, just about the School and its students – the things he cared about most.
We have also been informed of the passing of Gordon Clive Bush (BVSc 1969) who for many years had practiced as a veterinary surgeon in Coventry, which was his home city.
We send our condolences to both Don's and Gordon’s families, and fellow alumni who remember them.
Pet Dental Health Awareness Month
March was Pet Dental Health Awareness Month, and the University of Liverpool Alumni Association spoke to members of our alumni community to raise awareness of the importance of oral health for our animal companions.
We spoke to Andrew Perry (BVSc 2000) who has a particular interest in oral and maxillo-facial surgery, pain management and endodontics. He is currently undertaking research on the effect of suture pattern on the healing of oral wounds.
We also spoke to Jonathan Frost (BVSc 2013), with a keen interest in educating and helping primary care vets improve their dentistry. He is experienced in orthodontics and minimally invasive maxillofacial surgery, and has a particular interest in root canal therapy.
Thank you to both Andrew and Jonathan for sharing an insight into their careers, and advice on pet dental health.
Pet Poison Prevention Awareness Month
March was also Pet Poison Prevention Awareness Month, so we spoke to members of our alumni community to raise awareness about the hidden dangers lurking in our homes and environments that could put our pets at risk.
ECC vets Ellie Jenkinson (BVSc 2019), Sophie Milligan (PGT 2023, 2024) and Johannah Maxwell (BVSc 2020) shared their ECC experiences, cases of accidental pet poisoning, and tips for prevention.
Thanks to all three graduates for sharing their stories.