Nicky Sheldon, practice manager at EC Straiton Vets in Penkridge and Rugeley, has been named a finalist in the 2026 Petplan Veterinary Awards after showing remarkable dedication to her team while undergoing cancer treatment.
What’s new: Nicky Sheldon has been shortlisted for a national veterinary award recognising exceptional dedication and leadership.
By the numbers: More than 20,700 nominations were submitted, with just 15 finalists selected across five categories.
What’s next: Winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on Thursday 19 November.
A Staffordshire veterinary practice manager who remained dedicated to her colleagues and local pets while undergoing treatment for cancer has been shortlisted for one of the veterinary industry’s most prestigious awards.
Nicky Sheldon, who is practice manager of EC Straiton Vets, which has a veterinary hospital in Penkridge and a branch surgery in Rugeley, is a finalist in the 2026 Petplan Veterinary Awards.
She was nominated by colleagues for continuing to oversee a major refurbishment of the Penkridge veterinary hospital while undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy after being diagnosed with cervical cancer.
The Petplan Veterinary Awards, which are now in their 27th year, are regarded as the Oscars of the veterinary profession and recognise teams and individuals who make a difference to the lives of clients, pets and veterinary teams.
Nominations are made by pet owners, animal charities and colleagues who are invited by Petplan to tell them about veterinary practices and individual team members who deliver exceptional levels of care and outstanding expertise and go above and beyond the call of duty to help poorly pets.
This year, over 20,700 nominations were made, and Nicky is one of just 15 finalists across five categories.
Nicky has worked at EC Stration Vets, which is part of VetPartners, a vet-led group with veterinary practices and animal healthcare businesses across the UK and Europe, for 27 years. She joined as a veterinary care assistant before training and qualifying as a Registered Veterinary Nurse and then taking on the role of head veterinary nurse in 2016.
Three years ago, Nicky stepped up to become practice manager, overseeing the smooth running of both EC Straiton’s branches.
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