We are thrilled to announce that Dr Vicki J Adams BSc(Agr) DVM MSc PhD MRCVS, Director of Dignipets Cambridge, will be part of an an exciting in-person CPD event organised by the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) this coming May.
She will be joining Hannah Brown BSc (Hons) RVN.”A review of the principles used to perform a kind and compassionate euthanasia” and Jess Woolrich BSc(Hons) RVN PHCert VetEd Cert VNES. “Euthanasia – looking after our wellbeing so that we can look after our patients and support their caregivers.”
The Event
Euthanasia — A Kinder Approach for Ourselves and Our Patients
📅 Saturday 9 May 2026 🕙 10:00 arrival | 10:15–13:30 📍 Risby Village Hall, Aylmer Close, Risby, Bury Saint Edmunds, IP28 6RT
🎟️ £35 BVNA Member | £55 Non-Member
This is a 3-hour in-person CPD session suitable for RVNs, Student Vets, VCAs and Vets — and it promises to be a genuinely eye-opening morning.
What the Session Will Cover
Vicki will be sharing the Dignipets philosophy and clinical approach to sedation-assisted, in-home end-of-life care — exploring what truly makes a peaceful and dignified goodbye possible for pets and their families, and how veterinary professionals play a central role in shaping that experience.
Drawing on her background as a small animal, emergency and critical care vet, epidemiologist, and animal hospice specialist, Vicki will take attendees through every stage of the journey — from the very first phone call a grieving owner makes, right through to aftercare and grief support.
Key topics will include:
- What makes a “perfect” euthanasia — and what gets in the way
- Managing client expectations through communication and compassion
- The emotional and welfare benefits of euthanasia in a familiar, home environment
- How sedation transforms the experience for pets and owners alike
- Supporting families before, during and after the procedure
- The importance of aftercare and bereavement resources
Vicki Adams, vet at Dignipets Cambridge and West Suffolk
Why This Matters
Surveys suggest that 90% of clients prefer in-home euthanasia when it is offered to them — yet it remains far from standard practice. At home, pets are calm and relaxed. Families can say goodbye in their own space, on their own terms. And veterinary practices are preserved as happy, positive places in the client’s memory.
The session will also address something rarely talked about openly: the emotional impact on the veterinary team. Euthanasia is one of the most profound things we do — and doing it well, for the animal, the owner and ourselves, deserves proper attention.
About Vicki
Vicki Adams is Director of Dignipets Cambridge and brings a remarkable breadth of experience to this topic — as a small animal and emergency vet, an epidemiology consultant, Chief Executive of the Animal Cancer Trust, and Director of the Raw Feeding Veterinary Society. She is deeply passionate about raising the standard of end-of-life care for pets across the UK and supporting the professionals who provide it.
Book Your Place
This is a fantastic CPD opportunity for anyone working in veterinary practice who wants to approach end-of-life care with greater confidence, compassion and skill.
Tickets: £35 BVNA Member | £55 Non-Member
Visit the BVNA website to secure your place — spaces are limited!
Can’t make it on the day but want to learn more about Dignipets and how we support veterinary practices? Visit www.dignipets.co.uk and register for a free colleague login to access our online CPD resources.
📞 Emergency Helpline: 0808 506 0714
Dignipets Cambridge is a Joint Venture Partnership with Dignipets Partners, providing in-home pet euthanasia and hospice support across Cambridgeshire and the surrounding area.
