Founding Trustee Receives Veterinary Impact Award
Dr Bill Bishop receives the Veterinary Impact Award 2024 from NZVA President Dr Kate Hill
Story sourced from NZVA:
Dr Bill Bishop has made a considerable impact on the veterinary profession over the past 50 years. Graduating from Massey University, Bill and his wife Helen, also a veterinarian, commenced general practice in 1972 working for the Clutha Veterinary Association. After three years they moved to Canada. Bill undertook post graduate study in equine surgery at the University of Guelph. Upon his return to Christchurch, he completed the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists’ exams in equine surgery. In 1998 he was granted registration as a specialist in equine surgery by the Veterinary Council of New Zealand (VCNZ)
Bill is a charismatic personality and is well known to both equine veterinary professionals and horse lovers. He co-founded Canterbury Equine Clinic, which was one of the early innovators in equine practice. Bill played a significant role in the development of equine referral surgery in the South Island. In 2005 he was appointed as an Adjunct Lecturer in Equine Surgery at Massey University in conjunction with the establishment of a formal educational “Partnership for excellence” liaison with Massey. He maintained a strong focus on continuing education throughout his career presenting at conferences both here and in Australia along with publication of papers in the NZ Veterinary Journal. He was the face of the Canterbury Equine Clinic for many years until his retirement in 2019.
From 2009 to 2011, Bill served as the President for the New Zealand Equine Veterinary Association, a special interest branch of the NZVA. During his term, Bill and his executive were instrumental in developing the New Zealand Horse Ambulance Trust. Bill secured significant funding for this project, working with Peter Gillespie to organise the national fleet of horse ambulances to attend race meetings and transport injured horses safely. The first ambulance was commissioned in 2018 in a world first for equine welfare, and there are currently 10 dedicated ambulances and tow vehicles around the country.
In 2012, Bill helped set up the Dr Don McLaren Trust Fund, which is mediated by the equine branch of the NZVA. Since its inception, the fund has distributed funds to support research and continuing education for large animal veterinary surgeons in Aotearoa. This fund is a tremendous benefit for the veterinary profession and has been greatly assisted by Bill’s drive and determination.
Given his enormous contribution to the veterinary profession, it’s no wonder that Bill was awarded the Dr Brian Goulden Award in 2015 for excellence in equine practice. In recognition of his achievements and dedication to the profession, Bill was awarded the Veterinary Impact Award for 2024.