Speakers

(RCVS and EBVS European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery). Jon, who runs his own company, VetEd Specialists Ltd, grew up in the veterinary world as his parents owned a practice near Wigan, Greater Manchester. He graduated from the University of Cambridge before spending his early years as a vet at a primary care practice in Lincoln, followed by an internship at the Royal Veterinary College. He returned to Cambridge and completed a European College of Veterinary Surgeons’ Residency at the university, passing his board exams in 2015. Jon stayed at Cambridge for two more years as an affiliated lecturer and has now moved to Wear via the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, where he was a senior lecturer in small animal surgery.

European Veterinary Specialist in Oncology; RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Oncology (Small Animals). Gerry graduated from Cambridge Veterinary School in 1997. He entered specialist practice as a clinical oncologist in 2002. Gerry was awarded a Master of Sciences degree in clinical oncology by the Institute of Cancer Research at Birmingham University in 2003. He became a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and a European Veterinary Specialist in Oncology in 2010. Gerry has published scientific literature and lectured across the world on a range of cancer. Gerry is Clinical Director of North Downs Specialist Referrals.

Ian Ramsey is the Professor of Small Animal Medicine at Glasgow University Veterinary School. He graduated from Liverpool, completed his PhD at Glasgow on feline leukaemia virus and his residency in internal medicine at Cambridge. He became a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2015. He was instrumental in developing and writing the BSAVA PROTECT guidelines on antibiotic prescribing and is a Board member of RUMA-Companion Animal and Equine. He has served on numerous professional bodies, most recently as BSAVA President 2020-21.

Dr. Paola Valenti graduated from the University of Milan in 2005. She developed soon a strong interest towards cancer biology and clinical oncology and started a Masters Course in Veterinary Oncology at Pisa University, which she completed in 2009. After 4 years working in small animal practice, she moved to Switzerland, where she completed an ACVIM residency program in Oncology and obtained the American Diploma in Oncology in 2014 . Since 2014 she has been working at “Malpensa AniCura Veterinary Clinic” and “I Portoni Rossi AniCura Veterinary Hospital” as head of the Oncology Unit. In 2022 she also became a diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Medicine. She actively works on research projects on spontaneous tumors and she is author and co-author of several peer- reviewed publications. The main topics of her research are related to clinical application of electrochemotherapy protocols and targeted therapies in solid tumors.

(RCVS & European Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine) Edd is a recognised specialist in equine internal medicine with a strong interest in endocrinopathic laminitis. Edd splits his time between clinical work at Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic and research at the Royal Veterinary College. His reseach interests include risk factros for the development of laminitis, pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction and atypical myopathy.

Dr. Yu completed his DVM at the Ontario Veterinary College in 1990, and after finishing a residency and MSc. at Auburn University, he started the first private dermatology referral practice in Oregon where he dealt with chronic ear, skin, and allergic conditions in dogs, cats, and horses for 11 years. He then returned to the OVC as an Associate Professor in Veterinary Dermatology in 2004. As of 2013, Dr. Yu is back in private referral practice at the Veterinary Allergy Dermatology & Ear Referral Clinic (VADER) in Ontario. He has lectured extensively and authored, and guest edited several publications in canine, feline, and equine journals, and veterinary textbooks.

Jennifer is an emergency and critical care veterinary technician specialist in Utah, United States. She acquired her bachelors and masters degrees from UC Davis in animal biology with a focus in genetics and reproduction. After some time in research, including working in labs that pioneered the research for FIP treatment and feline genome mapping, she decided to transition into working in veterinary medicine. She was one of the first CVTs in Utah, and achieved her VTS in 2021. She is a published author and experienced speaker. Outside of veterinary medicine she spends her free time adventuring with her husband and being a doting mom to her four cats.

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Jacqui Matthews qualified as a veterinary surgeon in 1989 before completing a PhD in parasiteimmunology at the University of Glasgow. After her PhD, she worked in academia for >25 years,leading a range of interdisciplinary research projects for which she received >£13M competitivefunding. Her outputs, primarily in the field of helminth vaccines and diagnostics, include >145 peerreviewed research papers, several patents, numerous lay articles and invited plenary and stakeholdertalks. In this period, Jacqui also taught parasitology to undergraduates and postgraduates at Glasgow,Liverpool and Edinburgh veterinary schools, as well as being active in several CPD initiatives. For manyyears, Jacqui was technical advisor to the Control of Worms Sustainably in Cattle industry initiativeand parasitology expert on the UK Veterinary Products Committee and is currently a member of theSteering Group of the CANTER, a cross industry initiative which seeks to promote best practice equineparasite control. Jacqui was conferred fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons formeritorious contributions to knowledge in 2017 and is a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, RoyalSociety of Biology and is a RCVS recognized specialist in Veterinary Parasitology. One of her inventions,a blood test for equine small redworm, was commercialised by Austin Davis Biologics in 2019 and, in2022, she moved to this company as Director of Veterinary Science, where she leads the R&Dprogramme and works with end-users in promoting evidence-based parasite control.

Hello, I’m Sarah Ramsden, also known on social media as ‘The Dental RVN’ and my passion iseducating my peers and clients on the implications of oral and maxillofacial conditions thatinhibit patients being able to live a pain free life. I have completed 2 certificates in dentistry forveterinary nurses and am always happy to be asked questions. I have a love of diagnosticimaging and I am heavily involved in taking intraoral dental radiographs along with all thepractical aspects of comprehensive oral health assessment and treatment (COHAT). Thisincludes induction into anaesthesia, charting, probing the gingiva and professional descale andpolish

Aoife graduated as a Veterinary Surgeon from the University of Liverpool in 2014 and has worked as a vet in Northern Ireland since then, first in mixed animal practice and then solely small animal practice. She quickly gained a keen interest in dermatology, and saw the challenge and reward in treating skin cases. She studied for her post-graduate qualification in Dermatology also at the University of Liverpool, and gained her Certificate in Advance Veterinary Practice, specialising in Dermatology, in July 2021. Since then, she has been seeing a wide range of referral dermatology cases, from allergy work ups to complex auto-immune conditions. ​Aoife lives in East Belfast with her partner, young son and cat.

Ben graduated from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in 2014 and has worked in both first opinion and referral settings as a surgeon. He completed the RCVS Certificate in General Small Animal Surgery in 2020 and became an RCVS Advanced Practitioner in 2021. Ben is a director and surgeon at ‘Debenham Vets Surgical Referrals’ in Suffolk where he treats patients with soft tissue, orthopaedic, and spinal conditions. Outside of clinical work Ben is interested in research and education. He is a reviewer for a for peer-review journal and has published several papers on topics within small animal orthopaedic. Ben regularly provides CPD for vets and is a consultant for N2-UK.

European Veterinary Specialist in Zoological Medicine (Small Mammal Medicine and Surgery). RCVS Recognised Specialist in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine (Small Mammal Medicine and Surgery). Elisabetta graduated from the University of Naples “Federico II”, Italy, in 2002. Her interest in exotics became clear shortly after her graduation, anticipating a career mainly based on non-conventional animal medicine and surgery. In 2007, she moved to UK where she initially worked in private practice and wildlife charities. In 2009, Elisabetta started the first European College of Zoological Medicine (ECZM) Residency in Small Mammal Medicine, which she completed at The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Edinburgh. Elisabetta passed her RCVS Certificate in Zoological Medicine in 2010. In 2014, she obtained the ECZM Diploma, Specialty “Small Mammal Medicine and Surgery”. She has published extensively over the years and she is very active lecturing both in UK and internationally in her field. She currently works at Valley Exotics in Cardiff.

(European and RCVS- Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine) Susanna qualified from the University of Glasgow in 2012. She spent two years in first-opinion small animal practice before returning to Glasgow to complete a rotating internship, followed by a combined residency and masters. She is now a European Board of Veterinary Specialisation and RCVS-recognised specialist in small animal internal medicine, and currently works at North Downs Specialist Referrals, Bletchingley.

Dr Eve Hanks is a veterinary surgeon, research scientist and her key skills and training include PhD and Post Graduate certificate degrees. She is an innovator, intrapreneur and entrepreneur and she used her clinical background for conception, development and implementation of this test.

Angie is a senior advanced ultrasound practitioner, and the founder of Aspire Ultrasound Consultancy Services Ltd. Angie’s knowledge base is drawn from her extensive clinical, managerial, and senior lecturer experience, working her way through the ranks of the NHS across the UK to management level, within the private medical sector and for several CASE-accredited, higher education institutes. She also worked briefly for Public Health Wales, training screeners to deliver a new Welsh Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme (WAAASP). She worked for a UK wide private imaging company, as Head of Ultrasound, leaving the company after 4 years to diversify into small animal ultrasound at specialist level. She soon realised the need to support the veterinary profession by endorsing competency-based ultrasound training with a view to raising the standards of veterinary ultrasound.

EBVS European Veterinary Specialist in Anaesthesia and Analgesia. Toby has a passion for teaching due to his childhood difficulties in mainstream education due to severe dyslexia. He has worked in some of the UK’s top universities and veterinary referral hospitals as an EBVS recognised specialist in veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia. In 2020 Toby was appointed Assistant Professor of Anaesthesia and Analgesia at the Univerity of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science; his teaching and research focus on using technology and video to improve the learning student experience. He has sought opportunities to improve educational delivery to vets and nurses throughout his career and established Trimble Productions in early 2020 to combine his veterinary medicine and film background. Toby has produced more than two hundred educational films and understands that course design storytelling techniques are at the core of successful academic courses.

Stephanie qualified as an RVN in 1992, and spent 20 years working in first opinion, referral and ECC practice. She studied applied animal behaviour at the University of Southampton and began accepting behaviour referrals in 2006. She retired from nursing in 2010 to focus full time on behaviour work. She was accepted as a Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB) in 2013. Stephanie is a frequent contributor to the veterinary press and speaker at conferences and CPD events. The second edition of her book ‘Practical Canine Behaviour for Veterinary Nurses and Technicians’ was published in 2021.

(RCVS and EBVS Recognised European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology). Fabio graduated from the University of Padova, Italy in 2003 and then worked in first opinion small animal practice for three years. In 2006 he undertook a PhD at the University of Padova in Small Animal Neurology and Neurosurgery. Fabio undertook an ECVN-approved Residency in Neurology and Neurosurgery at the Animal Health Trust and became an ECVN Diplomate in 2017. Fabio enjoys every aspect of Neurology and Neurosurgery and finds nothing more satisfying that give paralised animals the chance to walk again and enjoy life with their owners. Fabio’s main areas of interest are Neurosurgery and Epilepsy. Fabio aims to provide the highest standard of care for all his patients and their owners. Out of work Fabio enjoys travelling, gardening and spending time and caring for his dogs and cat.

Dr. Michelle Kutzler graduated from Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1993. In 1997, she began a residency in veterinary reproduction (Theriogenology) at Cornell University and became board-certified in Theriogenology in 1999. She earned a PhD in Physiology at Cornell University in 2002. Dr. Kutzler is a Professor of Theriogenology at Oregon State University. Dr. Kutzler teaches numerous courses including Companion Animal Production, Equine Reproduction, Calving School, Mammalian Reproductive Biology, and Hormone Action. Dr. Kutzler also enjoys giving lectures to colleagues and lay audiences. Dr. Kutzler spends much of her day mentoring undergraduate and graduate research students. She has published widely in the fields of both large and small animal theriogenology. Her research interests include methods for non-surgical and alternative surgical sterilization, effects of gonadectomy on long-term health, and use of GnRH agonist treatment to improve long-term health of gonadectomized dogs.

(RCVS and European Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine) Zoë works for Axiom Veterinary Laboratories Ltd as a consultant in equine internal medicine, alongside this she has her own business, ‘Specialist Equine Medical Services’. Zoë is particularly interested in the investigation of chronic disease, infectious diseases and antimicrobial therapy. Zoë graduated from the University of Liverpool with both a veterinary degree and a master's degree in veterinary parasitology. She initially worked in a rural mixed practice, before undertaking an internship at the University of Nottingham and subsequently a residency at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. In 2017 she returned home to the UK, working in private practice as an internal medicine clinician before joining the Axiom team and starting her business. Outside of work Zoe enjoys photography as well as riding, cycling or walking in the countryside.

Stephanie Sorrell graduated from the RVC and undertook her residency in Internal Medicine at Edinburgh University. She is a European Internal Medicine Specialist and RCVS Feline Specialist. She has a passion for teaching and has lectured nationally as well as publishing original research papers in journals. She is interested in all aspects of internal medicine. She provides locum internal medicine and feline medicine cover to private and university-based referral practices as well being a senior consultant for a telemedicine service and providing bespoke CPD to practices.

Emily Dutton is Director of Cheshire Cardiology, offering a specialist cardiology referral service for veterinary practices throughout the North West. Emily was awarded the Diploma in Veterinary Cardiology in 2014, shortly followed by RCVS Specialist Status in Veterinary Cardiology. Emily has been heavily involved in CPD training for vets, she has contributed to international clinical trials and has written a number of articles for professional and peer-reviewed journals. Her interests include brain-heart interactions, syncope, echocardiography and cardiac biomarkers. She is currently actively researching echocardiographic reference intervals, ambulatory ECG recordings and dilated cardiomyopathy in deerhounds.

University, USA. She graduated from the University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic in 2018. She completed a Small Animal Rotating Internship at Vets Now Referral Hospital, Glasgow, UK in 2019 and Small Animal Medicine Internship at The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, UK in 2020. Dr. Cerna obtained an ISFM Advanced Certificate in Feline Behavior with Distinction in 2018 and has particular interest in feline medicine, especially Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP).

Matthew has been a RVN for over 25 years and is passionate about providing gold standard welfare minded veterinary care for all exotic and domesticated species. He started his career at a large mixed species practice as a trainee in 1989, progressing within that practice to be in charge of the operating theatres. In 2003, he moved to ZSL London Zoo's veterinary department and progressed to Senior Clinical Nurse before leaving, looking for a new challenge in 2017. Matthew has worked in numerous places all around the world in zoological, conservation and wildlife veterinary facilities and has been lucky enough to have nursed most species from ants to elephants! Matthew is an elected member of the RCVS VN council (The regulator for all vets and veterinary nurses in the UK) as well as being chair and co founder of the Association of Zoo and Exotic Veterinary Nurses (AZEVN)

Janet came to specialise in dermatology after clinical training in internal medicine and a period in research. After heading the dermatology unit at the Animal Health Trust she established her own clinical referral service in East Anglia. She has over 30 years experience in referral dermatology and holds the RCVS Diploma and is a RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology. She has a particular interest in hypersensitivity disorders, cutaneous manifestations of internal disease and equine dermatology. Interests outside of seeing scabby dogs, cats and horses include choral singing, two grown-up sons and an aged Jack Russell terrier.

Jane graduated from Cambridge University Veterinary School in 2002, and has been head of the Veterinary Department for the Aspinall Foundation, UK, since 2006. In this role, Jane leads and manages all veterinary activities for the Aspinall Foundation’s conservation projects worldwide. The work includes responsibility for veterinary care at two of Europe’s largest zoological collections – Howletts and Port Lympne parks in the UK – and the veterinary aspects of the foundation’s overseas conservation projects in West Africa, Indonesia and Madagascar. Jane has extensive experience in all aspects of husbandry, medicine and surgery of a wide range of wild mammal species; disease risk analysis in mammalian release projects; and in field veterinary techniques relevant to overseas programmes. Jane has been a veterinary advisor to WVI since 2017.

Tania graduated from Universidad Autonoma of Barcelona in February 1998, and spent 4 years travelling the World, working in zoos and conservation projects in Greece, Finland, Argentina, Mexico, the US, and with a whale Photo-ID and whale watching project in Norway. In 2000, she started working as a vet for the Aspro-Ocio group, becoming head of the Veterinary Department by 2002 and Technical Director by 2006. For a few years, Tania divided her time between working for Barcelona Zoo as Curator for Aquatic Animals and working for IZVG. Since 2015 she has worked full time with IZVG. Tania is also Chair of the European Association for Aquatic Mammals Veterinary and Accreditation Committee, as well as an inspector for the Association. She is a member of the International Association of Aquatic Animal Medicine, the European Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians, the British Veterinary Association and the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association.

William Ingham works for Poultry Health Services (PHS) and is based at the Shrewsbury and Tarvin (nr Chester) branches. He graduated from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Science in 2014 before starting his veterinary career as a farm vet. In 2017, William became a full-time poultry vet for PHS, and, in 2018, became Lead Backyard Poultry Vet. He works alongside the Biobest Poultry Laboratory, Manor Court Veterinary Centre and Vet Partners to provide veterinary services to both clients and vets.

Frances began nursing a long time ago and has worked in private, charity and university practices. She gained the BVNA Diploma in Dermatology (a now extinct qualification) in the early 2000s, going onto to write Veterinary Dermatology: A Manual for Nurses and Technicians. Since then, Frances has taught Nursing at Brinsbury College and continued to work in general practice, trying to get young nurses interested in the fascinating field of dermatology.

An RVC graduate, Adam completed an internship at the QMHA and spent two years including out of hours work in a central London RCVS accredited hospital. He became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care and gained a masters in veterinary medicine again at the RVC. Adam is an RCVS Recognised Specialist in Emergency and Critical Care and an Honorary Lecturer of the University of Liverpool teaching and examining for various organisations including for advanced veterinary practice certification. Adam oversaw out-of-hours provision to 50+ sites through four hospitals until 2017 as clinical lead at the flagship site developing a specialist centre. He has published a number of articles and speaks internationally. He has been the RCVS Practice Standards Group Representative for the British Association of Veterinary Emergency and Critical from 2017 and a clinical expert advisor to the British Animal Rescue Trauma Association from 2019 and is the current chair of the sponsor committee for the European Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Conference. Adam is currently the Vice Chair of Small Animal Clinical Advisory Committee for the CVS Group and ECC Specialist, previously chair of the clinical advisory board at Lumbry Park Veterinary Specialists.

Dan’s role as a founding partner at VetLed primarily involves developing material, delivering training and providing insights into human performance and wellbeing gained from his perspective across multiple fields. Dan has experience as an international athlete, sports coach, pilot instructor, commercial pilot and as a Human Factors trainer. Across all fields, Dan has identified the crucial strengths and limitations relating to the human mind and body which he believes form the foundation for feeling and functioning at our best - both as individuals and as teams. He has developed and delivered training courses to professionals from aviation, healthcare and veterinary medicine on numerous performance related topics including non-technical skills, safety tools such as surgical checklists and organisational culture. The starting point for all of his work however, is that of self-care, compassion and wellbeing, both physical and mental. Dan passionately believes that highly developed skills, advanced systems and good intentions are essential but can be all but irrelevant if the care for our mind and body isn’t a priority. He has recently completed courses in Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, Positive Psychology and has worked closely with a team of clinicians, coaches and psychologists when developing the VetLed HALT campaign, along with other VetLed wellbeing materials and initiatives.

Dr Marge Chandler is an independent consultant in small animal nutrition and internal medicine, Clinical Nutritionist for Vets-Now Referrals, Glasgow, and Internal Medicine Specialist for Moorview Referrals in Newcastle. She has a BS from California State University, and a MS (Animal Nutrition) and DVMfrom Colorado State University (CSU). After several years in mixed practice, she did residencies in small animal medicine and clinical nutrition at CSU and Massey University, NZ. She is a diplomate of ACVIM and ACVN, member of the ANZCVS (SAM), Chair of the FEDIAF Scientific Advisory Committee, founding member of the European Veterinary Nutrition Educators Group, and Co-Chair of the WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee.

Hilary graduated from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh where she later returned to complete a residency in Veterinary Dermatology. Since then she has worked in Academia (the University of Bristol & North Carolina State University) and for the past 15 years has been in private practice at the Dermatology Referral Service in Glasgow. She has specific interests in canine atopic dermatitis and adverse food reaction and is a member of the International Committee for Atopic Diseases in Animals.

David qualified from Cambridge in 1988, aiming to devote his professional life to veterinary ophthalmology. Having worked at the Animal Health Trust and Royal Veterinary College where he gained his CertVOphthal and a PhD researching in ocular immunology, then returned to Cambridge, studied for his FRCVS with a dissertation of ocular abnormalities in farmed halibut as part of his continuing interest in exotic animal medicine and a VetMD concentrating on age-related cataracts in dogs cats and horses. He now teaches ophthalmology there running the ophthalmology clinic and providing an ambulatory referral clinic to practices in East Anglia. He has a passion for animal welfare and is a diplomate of the European College of Animal Welfare and Behaviour Medicine, has a Masters in Education and is currently undertaking a Doctorate in that subject, focussing on the teaching of veterinary ethics and animal welfare.

Sarah graduated from Liverpool in 2007 and worked in small animal practice for 2 years before returning to Liverpool to undertake a rotating internship. She remained at Liverpool and completed a Petsavers sponsored residency in Oncology. Sarah then worked at the University of Liverpool as a lecturer in Oncology for 2 years. In 2014 she passed the ECVIM diploma in veterinary oncology and obtained the RCVS certificate in advanced veterinary practice (Small Animal Medicine) in 2012. From 2015-2018, Sarah worked at The Queen's Veterinary School Hospital as Principal Clinical Oncologist. Prior to training as a vet Sarah completed a BSc in molecular biology and a PhD in cell cycle regulation at the University of Glasgow. Following this she worked as a post-doctoral researcher at Harvard Medical School. Sarah joined Southfields Veterinary Specialists in April 2018. She became a specialist in radiation oncology by training and examination in 2019. Her areas of interest include the optimisation of chemotherapy protocols for small animal lymphoid neoplasia, radiation therapy for the treatment of small animal neoplasia and combined medical and radiation therapy.

Dr. Domenico Santoro graduated in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Naples “Federico II” in 2001. In 2006, he completed his Research Doctorate (DrSc) in Veterinary Internal Medicine (dermatology – major) at the same University. In 2007, he completed an Internship in Veterinary Dermatology at the North Carolina State University. In 2010, he obtained the status of Diplomate in both the European and the American College of Veterinary Dermatology (ECVD and ACVD). In the same year (2010), he completed a Master in Veterinary Clinical Sciences (dermatology - major) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. From 2010 to 2013 he was Visiting Clinical Instructor at the same University while working on his PhD in Veterinary Clinical Sciences (immunology - major), completed in 2013. The following year (2013- 2014) he was a post-doctoral associate in comparative dermatology at the University of Florida – College of Veterinary Medicine. In 2017, he obtained the status of Diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists (ACVM - Bacteriology/Mycology, Immunology). Dr. Santoro is currently an Assistant Professor in Dermatology at the University of Florida – College of Veterinary Medicine. His main research interests include immunopathogenesis and treatment of canine atopic dermatitis and canine leishmaniosis. In particular, Dr. Santoro’s research mainly focuses on the evaluation of host defense peptides and host-microbe interaction in both diseases.

Ian is a practising Veterinary surgeon and co-owner of the Mount Veterinary Practice in Fleetwood. He has a Master’s degree in Veterinary Parasitology, is head of the European Scientific Counsel of Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP) UK & Ireland and guideline director for ESCCAP Europe. Ian is regularly published in peer review journals, and an editorial board member for the Companion animal and Vet CPD journals. He continues to carry out research in practice including work on intestinal nematodes and ticks.

RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Zoological Medicine. Honorary Associate Professor in Exotic Animal Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham. Yvette qualified from the University of Liverpool in 2007 and has worked mainly in first opinion small animal practice. She obtained the ESVPS GPCert (Exotic Animal Practice) in 2009 and the CertAVP (Zoo Med) in 2017. She enjoys being a general practitioner for all small animal species, and sees her exotics work as simply providing the same level of care to these species that we would expect for the more traditional pets. She has particular interests in rabbit and hystricomorph dentistry, and ferrets. She is currently the lead vet at the Langley Mill practice of the Scarsdale Veterinary Group family, as well as being involved in the Exotics rotation at the University of Nottingham’s School of Veterinary Medicine and Science.

Lindsey Dodd graduated as a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) from the University of Bristol with a degree in Veterinary Nursing and Practice Administration and a certificate in Veterinary Practice Administration. After graduating in 2007 she spent a period in general practice after which she joined the team at the University of Liverpool Small Animal Teaching Hospital to run the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). After four years running the ICU at Liverpool she made a move to Vets Now Referrals in Glasgow as Head Hospital Nurse. In 2013 she joined the team at Pride Veterinary Centre to set up and run the Intensive Care Unit. She has lectured for BSAVA, BVNA and various private UK CPD companies. As well lecturing across Europe as part of the EVECC congress. She became an international speaker in America during IVECCS 2011 (Nashville), returning in 2012 (San Antonio) and 2014 (Indianapolis). In 2013 she lectured at additional CPD events in Sweden and ‘The Voorjaarsdagen’ in Amsterdam. In 2015, she became a lecturer in Veterinary Nursing at Harper Adams University covering maternity leave, during which time she achieved her PgC in Education and became a fellow of the higher educational academy. She sits on the European Veterinary Emergency Critical Care Society (EVECCS) General Board (since 2012) and is the past chair of the EVECCS Public Relations Committee as well as an advisory member of the membership committee for the Veterinary Emergency Critical Care society (VECCS). Her special clinical interests lie in critical, intensive and emergency care nursing. She shares her home with Dotty a beautiful liver and white Springer Spaniel; Dotty by name and nature. They can often be spotted on many a big walk throughout Hampshire. Also her cat Archie who she handed reared during university… initially as a learning experience. He became a part of the family after bottle feed one. He was bought up with her prior Springer Spaniels and so loves snuggling with Dotty after work and at weekends. She also enjoys yoga, pilates, a good book, any good movie and spending time with her friends from all over.

Katie graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2012, and gained her Small Animal Internal Medicine Certificate in 2017. Alongside her clinical work, she has a strong interest in preventative mindset techniques for professionals, following her own battle with “Imposter Syndrome” and subsequently she trained in both cognitive behaviour therapy, broadband consciousness and was coached through the Proctor Gallagher Institute; Thinking Into Results programme. She is currently working as a locum across the North West, alongside helping other vets and nurses. She is passionate about spreading her message in a positive way, speaking both with individuals and practices, via social media and as an event speaker.

Nicola works as the Head Medical Nurse at Plymouth Veterinary Group. Nicola has written for many veterinary publications and textbooks and is the editor of Aspinall’s Complete Textbook of Veterinary Nursing. Nicola has won the BVNA / Blue Cross award for animal welfare, the SQP Veterinary Nurse of the Year and the SQP Nutritional Advisor of the Year. Nicola is currently studying for a Master’s degree in Advanced Veterinary Nursing with Glasgow University.

Dr. Anastasio hails from New York City, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Biology at the City University of New York. He then attended Ross University and completed his clinical year at the University of Pennsylvania. After a rotating internship at the Animal Medical Center in Manhattan, he was accepted into the Emergency/Critical Care Residency Training Program at Tufts University. Board certified, Dr. Anastasio is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care and his interests include respiratory medicine, hemodynamic optimization and trauma. He serves as Medical Director at VRC.

(European and RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Neurology) Paul Freeman has had a varied career spanning more than 30 years. He began his working life as a mixed general practice vet, before passing the RCVS certificate in Small Animal Orthopaedics in 1993. He then spent 20 years mixing general practice and referral orthopaedics, and in 2008 began a residency in neurology. This led to the European Diploma in Veterinary Neurology in 2014, as well as RCVS and European Specialist status. Paul began his current role as Principal Clinical Neurologist at the Queen’s Veterinary School Hospital, University of Cambridge in 2016, and since that time the neurology service in Cambridge has grown rapidly. Paul now works with three senior specialist colleagues, as well as supervising two residents and a junior clinical neurologist. His main research interests are spinal cord injury, in particular canine intervertebral disc herniation and fenestration. In 2017 he published a short review of canine IVDH as well as contributing to the most recent edition of Veterinary Clinics of North America, Neurology issue (Jan 2018). Paul has lectured widely including BSAVA Congress 2017 and NAVC 2019, and currently finds teaching in all its forms the most enjoyable aspect of his work.

Sarah qualified as a veterinary nurse in 1995. Following 11 years in 1st opinion/referral practice, Sarah moved to the University of Bristol to work in the intensive care unit. During her 7 years in this role, Sarah obtained both the Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing (Medical) and the Veterinary Technician Specialist in Emergency and Critical Care. After a further 7 years as a Veterinary Marketing Executive at ROYAL CANIN, Sarah is now part of the International Cat Care team looking after the nurse distance education courses.

(C’ Army Veterinary Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece) Stefanos graduated from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece and received post-graduation studies in Small Animal Surgery in Greece and USA. Currently he serves as Head of Veterinary Clinic at C΄ Army Veterinary Hospital of Thessaloniki, Greece. He also works as a mobile referral veterinary surgeon focused in small animal surgery. He is an invited speaker in national and international conferences, seminars and labs, chair for several organising and scientific committees in national small animal veterinary conferences and meetings, an active member of several national and international veterinary associations and currently he is also President of the Hellenic Companion Animal Veterinary Society (www.hcavs.gr)

(Veterinary Director @ Virtual Vet Derms) Sue Paterson is an RCVS and European Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology. She has been elected as a Fellow of the RCVS for contributions to clinical practice in the field of Veterinary Dermatology. Sue has written 7 text books, numerous book chapters and has more than 80 refereed dermatology publications. She has lectured at international meetings in more than 30 countries. She is a member of RCVS Council, and SVP of ESVD. She is past President of BSAVA. In her spare time, she and her husband Richard (and her two Labradors Thornton and Saffron) are keen walkers.

(Dermatology Nurse Advisor; VNDG Group Manager) John qualified as a nurse in 2004 and went on to run a dermatology clinic for 8 years from 2011. He was Head Nurse and Practice Coordinator at the same practice and is now Group Manager of a new Veterinary Nursing Dermatology Group to support nurses interested in this field.

Silvia is a veterinarian passionate about flexible working and helping to modernise the veterinary profession for a sustainable future. Silvia is the founder of Flexee (www.myflexee.com), helping to address the way vets work with the aim to improve staff work-life balance, retention, recruitment and return to work. She also works as an equine vet and animal health business consultant. Silvia’s tio-combination of expertise in scientific methodology, veterinary medicine and start-up development is supported by her qualifications from London’s Royal Veterinary College, Liverpool University and Cornell University, and include BSc in Veterinary Science, MSc in Wild Animal Biology, BSc in Veterinary Medicine, and a postgraduate certificate in Veterinary Business Management. She volunteers as Junior Vice President for SPVS, and a member of the Greener Veterinary Practice working group for VetSustain.

Malcolm is a 1993 Bristol Veterinary School graduate with almost 30 years’ experience in equine medicine in the UK and Australia. He is a Clinical Director at Stable Close Equine Practice, which he co-founded in 2003 and has since built into a leading first-opinion practice. Outside of clinical practice, Malcolm is a member of the BVA Policy Committee and is an honorary life member of the British Association of Equine Dental Technicians. Malcolm served as the President of the British Veterinary Association from 2022-2023.

I've enjoyed a varied clinical career since graduating as a vet in 2004. However, I become increasingly concerned about the levels of stress and mental ill health experienced by veterinary teams and co-founded WellVet in 2018 to help provide wellbeing support. This led to developing skills in article writing, web design, marketing and PR enabling me to diversify into many different roles within the industry, and most recently to my job as Head of Communications at VetCT! My role includes communicating our fantastic culture and values throughout our growing global team, and also sharing the great work of our specialists and team in supporting veterinary care and education. I live in a lovely cottage in Waterbeach, UK with an array of people and pets, and I love outdoor exercise to keep me feeling healthy in body and mind.

Dr Peter Weinstein is a husband, father, pet parent, veterinarian and leader He has been involved with virtually all aspects of veterinary practice from a 15 year old kennel kid to a hospital owner. Organized veterinary medicine has been a passion as well with various roles and leadership and presidencies of Southern California VMA, California VMA, and Vet Partners. He is a published author, most notably of the EMyth Veterinarian-Why Most Veterinary Practices Don’t Work and What to Do About It. Currently, he is teaching business and finance at the Veterinary College of Western University of Health Sciences. He likes to think of himself as a free thinking change agent and disruptor who, because he has a daughter in veterinary school, is working for an even better veterinary profession in the future.

Karen Froud-Murray, a former Head Veterinary Nurse, founded Vital Spark Training Consultants 19 years ago. Karen progressed into Sales and Marketing Manager roles across an array of blue-chip Veterinary Pharmaceutical companies, before moving into consultancy and launching Vital Spark. As a firm believer in professional CPD, Karen became accredited as an accredited Motivational Map practitioner eight years ago. Five years later and Karen’s continued development led to her accreditation as a Motivational Maps coach - on which she has practiced for a further three years. Through her work - the first time - we can measure motivation as a percentage to improve and empower individuals, coaches, teams, and leaders. As quoted by Forbes “People don’t leave jobs they leave bad bosses.” Karen understands the pressures and challenges associated with veterinary practice and having spent nineteen years training and developing veterinary professionals, has been able to tailor the training and articulate the results based on the contemporary veterinary industry. To quote an old saying “one size does not fit all!” Vital Spark’s training is not only tailored to the veterinary and associated industries, but also contemporary and relevant for modern day practice. The workshops are fun, interactive and – most of all – practical.

Laura Shaw is a Development Consultant with Training-Progress, helping businesses to gain control of their processes. Laura Shaw qualified as a veterinary surgeon in 2000 from Bristol University. 14 years in veterinary practice in the UK and New Zealand has brought a wealth of experience in both clinical and management roles. Beyond work, Laura is a volunteer vet with StreetVet, enjoys painting, print making and walking her Irish terrier, Hobb.

Dr. Chiara Noli graduated in veterinary medicine from the University of Milan, Italy, in 1990. After a residency at the University of Utrecht, Holland, she obtained the European Diploma in Veterinary Dermatology in 1996. Since then she works as referral dermatologist and dermatopathologist in Northern Italy. Dr. Noli was President and Founder Member of the Italian Society of Veterinary Dermatology, President of the European Society of Veterinary Dermatology and is currently President of the European College of Veterinary Dermatology. Dr. Noli is author of more than 100 articles in Italian and international journals, of nine book chapters and three veterinary dermatology textbooks, and co-editor of the books “Veterinary Allergy” (2014) and “Feline Dermatology” (2020). She has given several hundred lectures in four continents. Her main interests are feline allergy and dermatology, food hypersensitivity and quality of life assessment in veterinary dermatology. Her last project is the web portal dedicated to veterinary dermatology called www.dermavet.online/en/

Svetlana Belova graduated from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Estonian Agricultural University in 1995 and worked in small animal practice before starting her ECVD (European College of Veterinary Dermatology) residency programme at the Veterinary School in Zurich, Switzerland in 2007. After 4 years of training and successful examination in 2011 she became a Diplomate of the ECVD. Svetlana is a lecturer in dermatology and is involved in clinical teaching of veterinary students at the Estonian University of Life Sciences since 2005. Svetlana has given more than 100 presentations and workshops in dermatology for veterinary practitioners in Baltic countries, western Europe, Russia and Ukraine. She is a founder of Veterinary Dermatology School and dermatology conference in Estonia. Apart from teaching she provides a referral dermatology service in small animal practice in Tallinn. In 2010 Svetlana was awarded by the RSAVA (Russian Small Animal Veterinary Association) with “The Golden scalpel – lecturer of the year” and by the EVA (Estonian Veterinary Association) with the title “Veterinarian of the year”.

Dr. Lucia Panáková, Dipl. ECVD is currently the President of the ECVD and is a European Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology. She has been working as a private veterinary dermatologist in Slovakia since 2009, when she obtained her dermatology certificate. Since 2010 she has also been working as a clinician, clinical researcher and teacher of veterinary dermatology at the Veterinary University in Vienna. Her main interest is ear diseases in dogs and cats.

Lizzie joined the RCVS in February 2005 as Head of Communications, bringing with her 13 years' experience working in agricultural, environmental and veterinary marketing communications both in the UK and across Europe. She later became RCVS Director of Strategic Communications. In autumn 2014, Lizzie set up the Mind Matters Initiative (MMI), to make a difference to the mental health and wellbeing of members of the veterinary team. Lizzie took up the role of Acting CEO in September 2017 and was appointed CEO in November 2017. From a farming background in North Yorkshire, Lizzie has plenty of hands-on livestock experience. Lizzie is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and holds a degree in English from St John’s College, Oxford (matriculated 1989). She sits on the Communications and Fundraising Committee of the Mental Health Foundation, is a Director of the Veterinary Policy Research Foundation and a Trustee of RCVS Knowledge.

Ami graduated from Liverpool in 2011 and went on to undertake a production animal internship and complete a PhD in dairy cattle lameness at the Royal Veterinary College. Working in farm practice ever since, she has found her clinical niche catering to the health and welfare of camelids. Ami sits on the VetPartners Clinical and Farm Executive boards, and is Clinical Director of Westpoint Farm Vets in Chelmsford. Her main non-clinical interest is enhancing and maintaining the wellbeing of veterinary colleagues, recognised when Westpoint Chelmsford received the SPVS and Mind Matters Veterinary Wellbeing Award in 2018. Since then, she has focused on building a practice with a strong team ethic and contented colleagues.

Dr. Pope has been in veterinary medicine for over 20 years, practicing in both the large and small animal sectors. Her broad career experience has provided her a unique understanding of the stresses involved with maintaining a career in this industry. She now dedicates her time to providing wellbeing support for the profession in developing the 1 Life Connected movement and shares this message through 1 on 1 coaching, customized team events, author to “The Unspoken Life”, and as a dynamic international speaker. In the end, Dr. Pope truly believes that we are all 1 Life Connected.