Twelve minutes of CPR, one tiny Chihuahua and an extraordinary veterinary team who proved that compassion, teamwork and determination really can save lives.

Michael Roberts
Vet
White Cross

The context

Veterinary medicine can be an incredibly unforgiving profession, and I don’t think we recognise the people who give everything to it nearly enough. Michael is one of those people. As one of the few senior vets in his practice, he carries an enormous amount of responsibility, often under considerable pressure, yet somehow never loses sight of why he became a vet in the first place. One particular day, a tiny, critically unwell Chihuahua was transferred from an out-of-hours provider back to his practice. On arrival, the little dog was in cardiac arrest. For the owners, it was so stressful to arrive with a deceased pet! For Michael and his nurses, it was another moment where everything depended on them, despite the pressures they already face What happened next is something I think deserves to be recognised!

The action

Michael and his incredible nursing team immediately began CPR. For 12 long minutes, they worked together, refusing to give up on this tiny patient. Twelve minutes might not sound like much, but when you’re desperately trying to save a life, every second matters. Against the odds, they managed to get the patient back. But their efforts didn’t stop there. Knowing the patient needed further intensive care, they took responsibility for transferring the little dog to a 24-hour veterinary hospital. I cannot emphasise enough how much admiration I have for Michael and his nurses. This wasn’t just clinical skill; it was teamwork, compassion and a genuine determination to give an animal every possible chance. In a profession where people are stretched beyond their limits, they still found the strength to give absolutely everything. I should note, I don’t work with Michael, he just filled me in.

The ripple effect

A week later, that same little Chihuahua returned to the practice, happy, healthy and with a second chance at life. The owners were understandably overjoyed, showering the team with gifts and gratitude. In a relatively small first-opinion practice, cases of this severity aren’t something you encounter every day. It’s a humbling reminder of just how quickly a clinical picture can change, and how much difference the right people can make. What I loved most was how genuinely proud Michael was of his nurses. He couldn’t speak highly enough of their teamwork, communication and clinical skills. There was no taking individual credit, just an overwhelming appreciation for what they had achieved together. I’m incredibly proud to call Michael both a colleague and a friend. Moments like these remind us why we do this job, and why the people beside us matter so much.

Voting opens 13 November.