Kerry Gardham of the 'We Care Veterinary Surgery' at Brough in East Yorkshire has been nominated for the prestigious Receptionist of the Year Award at the 7th annual Petplan Veterinary Awards. Dubbed by some as the ‘Oscars of the Veterinary World’, the Awards will take place at the CBSO Hall in Birmingham on the 20th April, where the winners will be announced. The pet insurance company which organises the awards has received a record number of nominations from around the country across the four categories; Veterinary Nurse of the Year, Vet of the Year, Receptionist of the Year and Practice of the Year. Kerry runs the practice and assists the vet with any nursing duties that are required. In 2002, Kerry was involved in a serious car accident when she was on holiday in South Africa with her fiancé, resulting in her taking almost a year off work. Kerry was nominated by the people who take their pets to practice as they feel that she has shown remarkable courage and commitment to her work overcoming the difficulties of returning to work after her accident. One of the those who regularly takes their pet to the surgery who nominated Kerry said, "Kerry is fantastic with animals. Even the most aggressive animals warm to her whilst they are being examined." Fiona Pinkney, the communications manager with the company involved in the awards said of Kerry; "Everything she attends to is done with care." She added: "The Petplan Veterinary Awards has grown from strength to strength each year and the nominations we received for 2006 have been of the highest calibre. Kerry’s professionalism when dealing with pets and their owners is remarkable. We wish Kerry the best of luck in the Receptionist of the Year Award." The awards are linked to the The Petplan Charitable Trust which provides grants for the welfare of dogs, cats and horses by funding education and welfare projects. The Trust has raised over £3.75 million. For every nomination for the awards received, £1 is donated to Petsavers which is a charity which funds veterinary studies into the diagnosis and treatment of sick pets. | 
