Today I saw an amazing video showing a dog that was injured in the Missouri tornado on April 27 of this year. When the tornado had passed, one family was unable to find their beloved dog Mason in all the wreckage. When they returned to the house 2 weeks later to clean up, they were astonished to find Mason happy and waiting to see them. What made the story even more unbelievable was the fact that Mason had broken both front legs and it appeared that he had crawled home like that after being swept some distance away in the storm. The story made international news, and for good reason. Not only was the tornado a terrible tragedy, but the story focused on Mason's bravery and resilience, as well as the special relationship that he had with his human caretakers. Mason's desire to return to his family at all costs may not be surprising to many of us who are familiar with the interspecies bond that develops between animals and humans, but the spectacle was nonetheless noteworthy and perfectly illustrates why so many of us choose to work in the veterinary field.
The human–animal bond is a cultural phenomenon that is widespread throughout the world. Compassion toward animals has increased over the years and the importance of pets in peoples' lives has taken on a new significance in modern society. These unique relationships between animals and humans challenge our perceptions of the family unit and they partly dictate the ways in which veterinary nurses deliver holistic care. An important aspect of this care is the acknowledgment that many clients worry as much for their pets as they would a human family member and this means that we have a special responsibility to respect that relationship and, when necessary, provide additional resources and support for clients who may need comfort when addressing their pet's healthcare decisions.
Recognizing the significance of animals in the family unit is a key role of veterinary nursing today and in some ways it is a jewel in the crown of all the values that we uphold as veterinary professionals. This is just one area that can be highlighted in terms of improving public perceptions of the veterinary nursing profession and, as with all efforts to promote the profession, it adds value to the services we provide. Regardless of our country of origin, raising awareness of veterinary nursing is essential for our continued development as a profession. It not only helps to ensure the public finds value in the provision of veterinary services, it makes certain that employers continue to seek high standards in the veterinary nurses that they employ and it guarantees a steady stream of new veterinary nursing students who will enter into the profession. It also provides continued pressure for our profession to reflect on our performance and sets a precedence for continued improvement and professional development.
Today's technology has provided us a greater opportunity than ever before to unite internationally and raise awareness of the profession. Like our human counterparts have done before us, we can forge new international networks and learn from each other as we develop and grow. It is this approach that we here at The Veterinary Nurse are striving to showcase as authors from around the world share their unique perspectives on the provision of veterinary nursing care. In this issue, we have some interesting articles on tissue banking and nursing care plans as well as an excellent look at accreditation of veterinary nurses in Europe. There is a useful practical guide to managing indwelling urinary catheters in dogs as well as a fascinating article on adder bite injuries. To top it off, there is a great continuing education article from a New Zealand veterinary nurse about barrier nursing. We hope you enjoy this issue!