Ravenshead-based vet Charlotte Hanson, of Hanson Animal Doctor Ltd, has been shortlisted for the esteemed title of Vet of the Year in the prestigious 2020 Petplan Veterinary Awards.

Now in its 21st year, the awards have gone from strength to strength and this year Petplan received over 37,000 nominations.

The awards recognise the nation’s most outstanding veterinary professionals, who have been nominated by their colleagues and pet owners for their hard work and dedication to keeping pets healthy.

In light of the coronavirus restrictions, the awards will be taking place virtually for the first time with veteran broadcaster and writer Gyles Brandreth hosting the exciting event on Facebook @PetplanUK.

Commenting on her nomination, Charlotte said: “I can’t quite believe it, I’m in shock! I’m honoured and so grateful to all that took the time to nominate me, I can’t thank them enough. It means the world to me and really shows how caring my patients and owners are.”

The judges were particularly impressed by the impact she’s made on her local community and her efforts in transforming the practice into a family-friendly environment. She engages the public through free pet first aid classes, and often visits schools to educate children about animal welfare.

Isabella von Mesterhazy, head of marketing at Petplan, commented: “The judges had a very tough time picking just three finalists in each category. The quality of entries has been incredibly high and we’re delighted to have received so many nominations from the veterinary community and indeed pet owners themselves.

“The awards recognise outstanding individuals and teams who go the extra mile to care for the nation’s pets. The Petplan Veterinary Awards provide an opportunity to say thank you for the exceptional work carried out by members of the veterinary profession and are particularly special this year given the extra devotion displayed while continuing to care for the nation’s pets during COVID-19.”

Winners will be announced during the virtual awards ceremony on 28th May at 8.30pm on Facebook @PetplanUK. We hope as many people as possible will join us online for this celebratory event and to thank the nation’s veterinary professionals.

For further information on the awards and to follow the finalists’ progress visit www.petplan.co.uk/vetawards/