A Belleek-based vet has been crowned Northern Ireland-wide ‘Young Vet of the Year’. Aoife Ferris (27), who is a vet in Lakeland Veterinary Services, Belleek, picked up the award in April.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter, Aoife said: “It is a client-based nomination [for the award]. It’s an annual award, but it hasn’t happened for the last two years because of the pandemic.

“The nominations came from some small-animal clients, and then after a panel of judges went through them, I was invited to the ceremony with other finalists.

“I didn’t know before I went along that I’d won, so I only found out when I was on the stage!

“Everyone here was delighted – it is great, because we are an independent practice, so it is great that we won in the end.”

Aoife, who hails from Shanangolden, Limerick, grew up on a suckler farm and wanted to be a vet for “as long as she could remember”.

She is a graduate of University College Dublin and specialises in both large and small animals. She holds certificates in dairy herd health, and a certificate in small animal ultrasound.