Two employees from Hume Animal Hospital have been recognised by the National Vet Nurse of the Year awards which receives hundreds of entries from Australia.

Amanda Oeser won her division as a student vet nurse and Jessica Howe has made the top 14 short-list for the head surgical nurse category.

Amanda is studying certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing and said her mum and colleagues have fuelled her passion for helping animals.

“My mum is a vet nurse as well so I’ve been exposed to it from a young age and it’s always been something I’ve been interested in,” she said.

“I was actually really surprised when I found out I had won, it came as quite a shock.

“The vets and nurses I work with are a big part of my development and what I’ve learnt so it’s a credit to all of them as well.”

Amanda won the award not only for her role as a nurse but for all her extra community involvement as well.

She regularly gives talks to school children about safety around animals and volunteers for major events including Pets Day Out, Paws in the Park and Paws Walk.

The competition is run through the Hills Pet Nutrition Pty Ltd and it is the second year Jessica has been short-listed.

She said it is already a win for the clinic.

“I’m proud of Amanda because I have helped train her so I feel like I have won already with that, but it is a team effort,” she said.

“The really good thing is all your hard work is being appreciated and it makes it all worthwhile.

“It’s a hard industry because you take a lot on board emotionally, but at the end of the day we do it for the animals.”

Jessica is waiting to hear if she will make the top three in her division, if she is successful both her and Amanda will fly to Sydney for the presentation on October 10.