VIP Westport Night

This was an extra special night to celebrate an evening of kindness. Our evening was held at our new practice in Linlithgow and was an invitation only event for our Very Important People and Very Important Pets. 

In attendance were Westport Vets Local Hero Award winners, Hugo’s Hero Award winners and nominees, Westport’s Gift of Kindness campaign winners and nominees, and a selection of guests including people from the local schools, other local businesses, local councilors, charities, organisations and individuals that we’ve been working closely with for a long time. With 65 guests and 6 dogs, it was quite a busy evening!

Guest speaker, Lesley Winton BEM, gave a wonderful, heartfelt and engaging talk on “The importance of the human-animal bond”, and I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room. 

Stuart McMorrow gave a talk about the new practice and on each of the above VIP categories, celebrating acts of kindness in the local community.

The award presentation ceremony for Hugo’s Hero Award 2023 also took place, with this year’s winner named as Nibbles, a dog who has brought much support and care to her owner through difficult times. Sadly, Nibbles could not be with us on this special night to remember them as they recently passed away, but their family was there and we had a beautifully made presentation from Carena and the family to look through and watch some of her best moments together.

An additional Hugo’s Hero Special Recognition Award was presented to the search and rescue labrador Thor. Thor and his owner Hazel go out in search of missing and lost animals, in the hopes of finding and returning them to their owners as quickly as possible.  Hugo’s Hero Award is our animal heroes award, created in memory of Hugo the labrador who’s loyalty and devotion helped to save his owner’s life.

There was also a special mention to a lovely boy called Sirius the rescue dog, who very recently passed his Assistance Dog training with flying colours!

Our local hero award went to Peter Wright for being recognised for his recent mission of kindness and fundraising. 76 year oldPeter has been dedicating his time with a mission of kindness and raising money to improve the lives of others. He traveled Eight River Valleys of Dumfries and Galloway, in 21 days by bike-camping to raise money for Maasai Girls Education - through Scottish Registered charity Joseph Thomson Maasai Trust. Peter has raised over £3000 for the charity!