> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.thestaffordshiresignal.co.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Caring Staffordshire vet practice manager is finalist in the Oscars of the veterinary world - URL: https://www.thestaffordshiresignal.co.uk/vet-practice-manager-is-finalist-in-the-veterinary-awards/ - Published: 2026-10-21T09:14:54.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-21T09:14:54.000Z - Description: 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. - Author: The Staffordshire Signal Newsroom - Tags: Country & Creatures ****THE SIGNAL BRIEF** ****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. Competition 2pairs to win ### Win tickets to see the *Mediaeval Baebes* at Stoke Minster 30th Anniversary Concert • Saturday 19 December Torchlit processions, ancient songs and voices that sound centuries old, all in one of the city's most atmospheric buildings. Entering is free. [Sign up to the newsletter to enter](https://www.thestaffordshiresignal.co.uk/#/portal/signup) **Already a subscriber? You're automatically entered.** Closes 11.59pm, Friday 20 November 2026\. [Full details and T&Cs](https://www.thestaffordshiresignal.co.uk/win-tickets-to-see-the-mediaeval-baebes/) Photo: Rob Kelly This summer, Nicky took on the project management of a major revamp of the hospital’s kennels, theatre, prep area and offices, to ensure that the team can continue to offer the highest levels of care to local pets. The work needed to be completed in time for an inspection by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), which regulates veterinary practices. Despite receiving her cancer diagnosis and needing to undergo gruelling treatment, Nicky continued to oversee the project and, as a result, EC Straiton’s sailed through its inspection and met all the required standards to have its veterinary hospital status renewed. Since completing her treatment, Nicky has been given the all-clear from cancer. ![Nicky Sheldon (front row, fourth from left) with some of her EC Straiton colleagues.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3b/48/3b482e3b-bd85-4cd0-bf5d-b4c28e10d60b/content/images/2026/10/Photo-2.jpg) Nicky Sheldon (front row, fourth from left) with some of her EC Straiton colleagues EC Straiton Vets’ customer care manager Helena Diffey nominated Nicky for the Petplan Awards and said: > “Nicky is incredibly proud of our practice and it wasn’t in her nature to step back when she received her diagnosis, and she continued to demonstrate an extraordinary level of commitment. > > “However, while Nicky's cancer journey has demonstrated her remarkable personal strength, it is important she is not defined by her illness. The strength, compassion, resilience and determination she showed during that time are the very same qualities she brings to her role every single day. > > “She is an exceptionally supportive and empathetic leader. Her team knows they can turn to her for practical guidance, professional support or simply someone who will listen and she always makes it her mission to look after the people who are looking after the patients.” Nicky said she was completely surprised to receive a call from Petplan earlier this month to tell her that she’d been shortlisted. Nicky said: > “Finding out I had been nominated for the award was such a shock, but it’s nice to be recognised in this way and it is extra special that the team put my name forward. > > “I have faced some big challenges this year, but everyone at EC Straiton’s has been amazing and supportive and I love working here. It’s such a wonderful team to be part of and we are just like a family, and despite being unwell I wanted to be there for everyone to help them get through a busy time. As well as making sure the project stayed on track, it was important to keep the team feeling positive and upbeat while the work was going on around them, and it was helpful to have something to focus my mind on.” The winners of the Petplan Veterinary Awards will be announced in London on Thursday 19 th November, and Nicky will be attending the ceremony with her colleague Nicky Weitendorf, who is a senior veterinary nurse. EC Straiton Vets has been delivering the best possible care to pets, horses and farm animals in Staffordshire for 84 years, and has a dedicated team of vets and nurses at its veterinary hospital in Penkridge and branch surgery in Rugeley. 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