Local vet honoured with prestigious award
Dr Lawson Cairns was the first person to receive a Global Merit Award by the WSAVA.
AT the World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s 39th annual convention, hosted in Cape Town, local veterinarian Dr Lawson Cairns received a Global Merit Award for his outstanding work in his profession.
Dr Lawson, a 69-year-old Highway resident, has let his passion and love for animals drive his career and has been helping pets in the area for more than 40 years.
“When I was young I knew I wanted to be a vet, but I thought it would be for large animals but here I am working with small animals. But my love lies with all animals and I enjoy working with them and I enjoy coming to work – every single day,” said Dr Lawson.
It was the first time that the glass trophy has been awarded to anyone, and was given to the honourable veterinarian for his continued work in helping increase the knowledge of his fellow vets throughout Africa. He is instrumental in organising lectures in Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Swaziland and Mozambique. In these lectures, which he has been organising for the past eight years, the gathered vets are taught about treating small animals. All of the trips are sponsored by the British Small Animal Veterinary Association and the Netherlands Veterinary Association. “These are hugely positive for everyone involved and the numbers of vets attending the lectures throughout the years have greatly increased. We have seen development of associations in a few of the countries, while others are now looking into becoming more involved,” said Doctor Lawson.
He has two dogs, a cat and he admitted to owning “a lot” of gold fish. “I absolutely love my animals.” I have been practicing in the Highway area for years and have grown from a three person staff to a 24 person staff at a 24-hour veterinary hospital,” said Dr Lawson. During his time he has come across some funny and bizarre cases, one of which he said involved a woman, her pruning sheers and a chameleon. “She was trimming her hedge and snipped into a chameleon. The poor little thing. She came in after hours and asked me to stitch it back up,” said Dr Lawson.
Four vets from the UK contacted the doctor in the hopes of attaining sponsors for their trip to vaccinate and spay animals in Lesotho. “I am looking for anyone willing to assist with the group and their project. They will spay and castrate between 20 to 50 cats and dogs per day during their time in the country,” said Dr Lawson. If you would like to help sponsor the group with food and or accommodation, contact Dr Lawson at the Hillcrest Veterinary Hospital on 031 765 3221.
