Animal Welfare Conversations

In this expansive and deeply grounded conversation, we hear from Manda Scott, to explore why personal healing and systemic change must go hand in hand if we want to leave a healthy planet for future generations. Tracing her journey from veterinary medicine in Scotland and Cambridge to award‑winning writing and spiritual practice, Manda shares her understanding of today’s interconnected poly crisis, the sixth mass extinction, breached planetary boundaries, and why incremental solutions can’t meet the scale of the challenge. Manda reminds us that the answers already exist—and meaningful change is still possible if we choose to act together.   Biography Born in Scotland at 318ppm CO2, Manda Scott trained as a veterinary surgeon, but is now an award-winning novelist, host of the Accidental Gods podcast and co-creator of the Thrutopia Masterclass. Best known for the Boudica: Dreaming series, her latest novel, Any Human Power, is a mytho-political Thrutopian thriller that explores the potential for a future we'd be proud to leave as our legacy. She believes that the way forward now is for everyone to craft open-hearted connections with all parts of ourselves, each other and the Web of Life. She lives with her wife in the Shropshire Marches.   Further information Accidental Gods Podcast https://accidentalgods.life/our-podcast/ Accidental Gods Membership https://accidentalgods.life/join-us/ Thrutopia Masterclass https://thrutopia.life/the-thrutopia-masterclass/ Dreaming Awake https://dreamingawake.co.uk/ Manda books https://mandascott.co.uk/  Resource Page from Any Human Power https://mandascott.co.uk/any-human-power-resources/   Audrey Tang https://rightlivelihood.org/the-change-makers/find-a-laureate/audrey-tang/ Doughnut Economics https://doughnuteconomics.org/ Wellbeing Alliance (there’s a strong hub of this in Scotland) https://weall.org/ Client Earth https://www.clientearth.org/ Stop Ecocide https://www.stopecocide.earth/ Layers for Nature https://lawyers-for-nature.ghost.io/ Biomimicry https://biomimicry.org/inspiration/what-is-biomimicry/ The Work that Reconnects https://workthatreconnects.org/dimensions-of-the-great-turning/ River Dôn Project https://www.theriverdon.org/ Local Currencies  https://centerforneweconomics.org/publications/local-currencies-in-the-21st-century-understanding-money-building-local-economies-renewing-community/

  With Crufts taking place this weekend, we explore the future of dog breeding. Recent media attention has focused on breeding practices, conformation, the Innate Health Assessment Tool, and the Royal Kennel Club’s new nose‑to‑tail assessment / Breeding For Health Framework. Mary catches up with Beverley Cuddy, a former podcast guest, to discuss these developments. A key theme of the conversation is the importance of involving breeders in discussions about the future of dog breeding. Beverley recently founded the Union of Dog People, representing those small scale breeders who believe that breeding a dog brings with it responsibility.  As previously discussed on the podcast, puppy farming poses significant risks to animal welfare. Small, ethical breeders can and do play an important role in the fight against puppy farms, providing support and education for new dog owners, and enabling people to bring dogs into their family that are healthy and socialised.  There's a lot to discuss, with social media full of different points of view on the best way forward, from academics, charities, breeders and everyone who has spent their life with dogs. Hopefully, by working together, we can find a solution to the problem of extreme conformation and have many future generations of healthy, happy dogs.  More Information Welcome to the Union of Good Dog People - Dogs above everything Breeding for health framework | The Royal Kennel Club Innate Health Assessment | Promote Healthy Breeding Now RKC and APGAW Dog Health Action Plan    

In this episode we are joined by Dr Beatriz Monteiro, to discuss in more depth the impact of pain on animal welfare. We consider the differences between acute and chronic pain, how pain impacts on all aspects of animal welfare, the use of validated pain scales such as the Feline Grimace Scale and the importance of evidence based medicine. We talk a lot about the WSAVA and their resources on pain management, and you can find the links to these at the end of these notes. We hope you will join The Animal Welfare Conversation. Biography - Dr. Beatriz Monteiro DVM, PhD, PgDip, ISFMAdvCertFB, Diplomate ACAW Dr. Monteiro received her veterinary degree from the Unesp-Botucatu followed by two internships at the University of Guelph. She has a PhD in chronic pain from the University of Montreal (UdeM), a Postgraduate Diploma in International Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law from the University of Edinburgh, and an Advanced Certificate in Feline Behaviour from the International Society of Feline Medicine. She is board-certified by the American College of Animal Welfare (ACAW). Dr. Monteiro has acted as the Chair of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) Pain Committee and as a board member of the International Veterinary Academy of Pain (IVAPM) and World Animal Protection Canada. While at UdeM, she was involved in numerous studies related to the Feline Grimace Scale. She has authored over 80 peer-reviewed publications, 8 book chapters and has lectured in numerous international conferences. Dr. Monteiro supports the use of science for guiding societal progress while promoting the concepts of One Welfare to improve the lives of animals and people while caring for the planet we all share.   Links and further information 2022 WSAVA Global Pain Management Guidelines: 2022 WSAVA guidelines for the recognition, assessment and treatment of pain - Monteiro - 2023 - Journal of Small Animal Practice - Wiley Online Library   2022 AAHA Pain Management Guidelines: 2022 AAHA Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats* | Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association   WSAVA Certificate in Pain Management: WSAVA Certificate in Pain Management - WSAVA

Welcome to 2026, and new episodes of the Animal Welfare Conversation.  In this introductory episode we have a sneak preview of the new interviews, covering a broad range of topics including animal welfare science, climate change, the sixth mass extinction and dog breeding. So much is happening in the veterinary profession at the moment, including the CMA report and review of the Veterinary Surgeons Act. There are many opportunities here for the veterinary profession to have a greater influence on animal welfare and also to develop more confidence within the profession itself.  We also have an update about the Animal Welfare Medal. We received many, many nominations and it has taken much longer than I anticipated to reach a final decision. We're awarding more than one winner, and will be contacting everyone this week. Many thanks to vet nurses Emma Ruggles and Nikki McLeod for joining me on the judging panel - it was a very difficult decision. More information will be released soon.  Please sign up to our newsletter to keep up to date with everything that's happening. The first full episode of 2026 will be along on Friday 27th February.  I hope you enjoy the Animal Welfare Conversation.   

This week, we had the privilege of speaking with Professor Eddie Clutton and Dr Polly Taylor, both distinguished anaesthetists and two of the co-editors of Veterinary Controversies and Ethical Dilemmas. Their book, now highly regarded within the veterinary profession, raises important questions about the current veterinary landscape, approaches to treatment, and standards of animal care. Our discussion covered a range of complex topics, including moral dilemmas, euthanasia, and over-treatment, offering diverse perspectives and highlighting unresolved issues within the profession. The conversation explored the financial, emotional, and societal costs associated with animal treatment, prompting reflection on what outcomes we truly seek for our animals. We hope you find this discussion on animal welfare both thought-provoking and informative. Biographies Dr PM Taylor MA VetMB PhD DipECVAA FRCVS European & RCVS Veterinary Specialist in Anaesthesia Polly graduated from Cambridge many years ago and worked in general practice then clinical academia in Cambridge University and the Animal Health Trust. Since 2002 she has been an independent consultant in veterinary anaesthesia, covering clinical anaesthesia, teaching, drug registration and research; numerous papers on anaesthesia and analgesia have resulted. Polly is a director of Topcat Metrology Ltd, developing bespoke nociceptive threshold testing systems for several animal species. She was a member of the Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs (2002-2010) and has continued to be an advocate for the veterinary profession regarding drug legislation. Her most recent activity putting her head above the parapet is to encourage the profession to understand that overtreatment of animals “just because we can” is often not in their best interests. Prof Eddie Clutton BVSc (Hons) DVA DipECVAA FRCVS European & RCVS Veterinary Specialist in Anaesthesia Eddie Clutton graduated from the University of Liverpool in 1981 and completed postgraduate training in anaesthesia at the Department of Anaesthesia, The Royal Liverpool Hospital. After serving as Assistant Professor in Veterinary Anaesthesiology at the University of Virginia–Maryland, USA, he obtained the RCVS Diploma in Veterinary Anaesthesia in 1985. From 1990 to 2015, he led Veterinary Anaesthesia at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, and was appointed Chair of Veterinary Anaesthesiology in 2007. He is a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia and has held leadership roles including Editor-in-Chief of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia and President of the Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists. His professional memberships include the Royal College of Anaesthetists, the Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists, the Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law Association, the Laboratory Animal Veterinary Association, the Laboratory Animal Science Association and the Association of Veterinary Ethical Committees.  Eddie’s research focuses on pain management, anaesthesia monitoring in pigs and sheep, and medical ethics. He co-founded EthicsFirst in 2016 and the Research Animal Anaesthesia Network (RAAN) in 2025. He currently serves as Clinical Director of the Wellcome Trust Critical Care Laboratory for Large Animals at the Roslin Institute. His contributions have been recognised with the Morpheus Award (2019) for exceptional contributions to Veterinary anaesthesia, analgesia and intensive care, RCVS Fellowship (2019) meritorious contribution to knowledge, and the Dalrymple-Champneys Cup and Medal (2024), the British Veterinary Association's Advancement of Veterinary Science Award, for the distinctive contributions he has made to the field of veterinary anaesthesia.. He was senior author of the FELASA guidelines for anaesthesia in biomedical research involving large animals. Further Information Veterinary Controversies and Ethical Dilemmas: Provocative Reflections    

This week we catch up with Dr Jos Bongers, a veterinary neurologist from Glasgow Vet School, and Professor Sameer Zuberi, a paediatric neurologist at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow. They discuss their career paths, the similarities and differences between human and veterinary neurology, and the impact of epilepsy on welfare of both animals and children. We consider a variety of different topics including seizure classification and video diagnostics, similarities between human and veterinary neurology, welfare and quality of life, treatment of epilepsy and clinical trials, one medicine, and future breakthroughs in the treatment of epilepsy. The discussion underscores the value of cross-disciplinary collaboration, technological innovation (especially video and AI), and a holistic approach to welfare in both human and veterinary contexts. Jos and Sameer hope for faster, more accurate diagnoses and treatments, particularly in resource-limited settings, and highlight the shared motivation to improve lives across species. Biographies Professor Sameer Zuberi MB ChB (Ed), MD, FRCP(Ed), FRCPCH Professor Sameer Zuberi is a Consultant Paediatric Neurologist at the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow and Honorary Professor in the School of Health & Wellbeing at the University of Glasgow, leading the Paediatric Neurosciences Research Group. He studied at the University of Edinburgh and undertook postgraduate paediatric and neurology training in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Sydney. He is Clinical Lead of the Scottish National Genetic Epilepsy Service, Trustee of Health Innovation Scotland and Neurodevelopment Theme Lead of the Epilepsy Research Institute UK. He is immediate Past President of the European Paediatric Neurology Society, vice President of the European Brain Council (advocating for better brain health globally) and President-Elect of the British Paediatric Neurology Association. He has been active in the International League Against Epilepsy, serving on many Task Forces, and was Chair of the Commission on Classification & Terminology 2013-17. His research group have a broad focus in childhood epilepsies including genetics, epidemiology, outcomes, trials & precision therapies and global health. In recent years he has developed and researched innovative technologies including smartphone video and AI for diagnosis & management, and devices to prevent sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. He has published more than 150 academic papers and many book chapters.   Sameer’s family includes a cat and a cocker spaniel. He is excited about collaborating with veterinary neurologists and owners in a project to improve classification of seizures in dogs using smartphone video. Dr Jos Bongers MSc MVM DipECVN MRCVS Jos is a veterinary neurologist with a primary focus on developing and expanding the Glasgow Seizure Clinic to improve diagnosis and treatment for pets with epilepsy and to strengthen support networks for their carers. She has also recently begun a PhD that examines the use of home video recordings for determining seizure semiology in dogs, guided by methods used in human medicine. She intends for this project to promote closer links between human and veterinary neurology and to deepen understanding of epilepsy across species. More information on the Seizure Clinic can be found via: https://petseizureclinic.co.uk/.   Other information One Medicine and Humanimal Trust Home - Humanimal Trust

Decision making mini-series - episode 3 - Bias In this episode we discuss the complexities of decision-making in veterinary medicine, focusing on biases that can impact clinical reasoning and client communication. We look at how biases can lead to misdiagnosis, affect treatment choices, influence client trust and ultimately impact on animal welfare.  We consider some of the more common biases, such as confirmation bias, anchoring bias, and availability bias, and emphasizes the importance of recognizing and mitigating these biases to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient safety. As usual, we have more resources on this topic at Vet Your Decisions  In a future episode we're going to look at our favourite text books on animal welfare and decision making. I'm currently reading Veterinary Controversies and Ethical Dilemmas | Provocative Reflection (there are so many topics in here!) and it would be great if you could suggest your favourite books in this area.  A couple of the authors in this text book Tanya Stephens and Sean Wensley very kindly supported the The Animal Welfare Conversation podcast in the early days. If you've not listened to them yet then you can catch up here.  We hope you will join The Animal Welfare Conversation: Sign up to the podcast mailing list  Animal Welfare Conversations Sign up to Vet Your Decisions mailing list  Vet Your Decisions: Essential Vet Advice for Pet Owners (scroll to the bottom of the home page).  Y6BjMEfdwGKs9qYbuqVm

In the second episode focussing on Clinical Decision Making, this week we look at clinical reasoning. Last week we discussed the way in which vets make decisions and all of the things that they are juggling at the one time, considering their own knowledge and experience, alongside the needs of the owner and the needs of the animal.  Clinical reasoning encompasses all of the processes that take place in a consultation, and that lead to the decision making process. It can be described in different ways, but one approach is to consider: collecting information, processing it, identifying problems, setting goals, taking action, evaluating outcomes, and reflecting. Alongside this we need to consider the importance of owner input, thorough patient history, and avoiding bias, alongside the need for clear communication with owners about treatment plans and costs. More information can be found at Vet Your Decisions 

In this episode of the Animal Welfare Conversation podcast, we take a break from the interviews, and will spend the next few weeks looking at the complexities of decision-making in veterinary medicine and how this relates to animal welfare. In this first episode we look at the ways in which vets make decisions, and the mental gymnastics that go on when making clinical decisions. We look at the ways in which vets consider their own knowledge and experience, the owner wishes, and the needs of the animal.  Find out more about clinical decision making at: Vet Your Decisions: Essential Vet Advice for Pet Owners Vet Your Decisions Blog   Speaker Biography Mary Fraser is the founder and host of The Animal Welfare Conversation podcast and Vet Your Decisions.  Dr Mary Fraser is a veterinary surgeon who has bridged the gap between human and veterinary medicine. She began her career in mixed practice, completed a PhD in canine dermatology funded by The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and then moved into education and clinical research in both further / higher education and the corporate sector. Along the way she has set up her own small animal veterinary practice, developed new training pathways for veterinary nurses, worked with Stirling University’s Innovation Centre and is now Executive Director of Education at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. She is an Honorary Clinical Associate Professor at Glasgow University, and in 2017 she was awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (FRCVS) for Meritorious Contributions to the Profession. Her main interests, alongside One Medicine, are animal welfare, veterinary and medical education, clinical decision making and charitable work through Humanimal Trust and UHI Perth.

Welcome to the next episode of The Animal Welfare Conversation.  This week we meet Dr Rowena Packer, of the RVC. Rowena is the Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science at the Royal Veterinary College, London, where she leads a research group exploring diverse topics in this area, including the impact of chronic and inherited disorders on dog behaviour and welfare, the impact of owner knowledge, attitudes and behaviour on canine welfare, and caregiver burden. In this episode we delve into the controversial world of dog breeding, where human preferences for "cute" features often override concerns about animal health – particularly in brachycephalic breeds like pugs and French Bulldogs. The podcast reveals how human biases in pet ownership directly impact animal welfare, challenging listeners to rethink their motivations behind breeding choices. The discussion on brachycephalic breeds uncovers the often-overlooked health implications of emotional attachment in pet ownership, urging a shift toward prioritizing animal well-being over aesthetic preferences. Dr Rowena Packer, BSc (Hons) PhD PGCert(VetEd) FHEA Rowena is the Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science at the Royal Veterinary College, London. Rowena leads a research group exploring diverse topics in this area, including the impact of chronic and inherited disorders on dog behaviour and welfare, the impact of owner knowledge, attitudes and behaviour on canine welfare, and caregiver burden. She has received >£2 million of research funding from diverse sources, with ~£1 million held as Principal Investigator.  Rowena is a frequent flyer on the conference circuit and has presented her research internationally, including in the USA, Australia, Canda, and across much of Europe.  Rowena has co-authored >100 peer reviewed papers and book chapters and co-edited the textbook ‘Health and Welfare of Brachycephalic (Flat-faced) Companion Animals’ (2021). Rowena holds a PhD from the Royal Veterinary College (2013) which explored the impact of extreme conformation on canine health, and has continued to research and drive initiatives on this topic for 16 years.  Rowena is a founding member of Brachycephalic Working Group and the Legal Advisory Group on Extreme Conformation in Dogs. Find out more about Rowena’s research at https://www.rvc.ac.uk/about/our-people/rowena-packer NOMINATE YOUR ANIMAL WELFARE HERE NOW: If you haven't already done so, please nominate your animal welfare hero for our new award HERE

Professor Andrew Knight BVMS BSc PhD PFHEA DipECAWBM DipACAW MANZCVS FRCVS Welcome to the next episode of the Animal Welfare Conversation. And this week we caught up with Prof Andrew Knight, animal welfare advocate, researcher and campaigner. In this episode we about Andrew’s journey of campaigning for animal welfare. We hear about the impact of livestock farming on climate change, the future of vegan diets and how this relates to animal welfare. We also consider how the veterinary profession can play a pivotal role in advocating for systemic change beyond the clinic. Andrew established and directed the Centre for Animal Welfare at the University of Winchester; is a Principal Fellow of Advance HE; EBVS European and RCVS Veterinary Specialist in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law; American & New Zealand Veterinary Specialist in Animal Welfare and a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.   In 2019 Andrew was awarded  the Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics Shomer Award and also received the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association Humane Achievement Award Andrew has published a wide range of academic papers and books on animal welfare including The Costs and Benefits of Animal Experiments and co-edited the Routledge Handbook of Animal Welfare.   Further Information Sites https://www.andrewknight.info https://sustainablepetfood.info https://humanelearning.info https://animalexperiments.info   socials https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-knight-409b7434/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100046421604769 https://www.youtube.com/c/andrewknight   Key infographics Knight A (2023) The relative benefits for environmental sustainability of vegan diets for dogs, cats and people. PLoS ONE 18(10): e0291791. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0291791  Knight A, Bauer A, Brown H (2023) Vegan versus meat-based cat food: Guardian-reported health outcomes in 1,369 cats, after controlling for feline demographic factors. PLoS ONE 18(9): e0284132. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0284132  Vegan dog health   Other Information: http://aknight.info/articles/pet-food    And finally......... Please follow us on social media, and if you haven’t yet nominated you Animal Welfare Hero, please take time to nominate them. Find out more here. Alex Fraser Medal for Animal Welfare | Girling & Fraser Ltd  Closing date is 30th September.

What makes a good life? Part 2 In this episode of the Animal Welfare Conversation, we continue the conversation with Dr Dan O’Neill of the RVC. Dan is well known in the veterinary profession for his work with VetCompass and animal welfare. Dan is a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, and has received many awards in recent years from BSAVA, Kennel Club Charitable Trust, and was awarded the RCVS Impact Award in 2025. In this 2 part podcast episode we examine an animal’s capacity for a good life and the opportunities they get to fulfil that. In this eye-opening episode, Dr. O'Neill challenges traditional veterinary approaches, arguing that good animal welfare extends far beyond the absence of disease. He presents a groundbreaking framework based on two key elements: an animal's capacity for a good life and their opportunity to fulfil that capacity. Through compelling examples, including the concerning rise of brachycephalic breeds in the UK we see how human choices can significantly impact animals' ability to live naturally and happily.   BIOGRAPHY Dr Dan O’Neill , Associate Professor Companion Animal Epidemiology, RVC MVB BSc(hons) GPCert(SAP) GPCert(FelP) GPCert(Derm) GPCert(B&PS) PGCertVetEd FHEA MSc(VetEpi) PhD FRCVS Following 22 years in general veterinary practice, Dan moved to academia to gain a PhD and now co-leads the RVC VetCompass™ Programme. With over 170 papers, he also co-authored the books ‘Breed Predispositions to Disease in Dogs and Cats’ and ‘Health and Welfare of Brachycephalic (Flat-faced) Companion Animals’. He is a founding member of the UK Brachycephalic Working Group, the UK Legal Advisory Group on Extreme Conformation in Dogs and the International Collaborative on Extreme Conformation in Dogs. Dan was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2018, the BSAVA Blaine Award for Advancement of Small Animal Science in 2019, the International Canine Health Award from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust in 2021, the UK All Party Parliamentary Group ‘Phillippa Robinson Dog Welfare Award’ in 2024 and the RCVS Impact Award in 2025. Dan is currently developing his Innate Health Concept as an application for the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW) that aims to shift the UK dog demographic progressively away from extreme conformation over the coming decade. 

What makes a good life? Part 1 In this episode of the Animal Welfare Conversation, we meet Dr Dan O’Neill of the RVC. Dan is well known in the veterinary profession for his work with VetCompass and animal welfare. Dan is a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, and has received many awards in recent years from BSAVA, Kennel Club Charitable Trust, and was awarded the RCVS Impact Award in 2025. In this 2 part podcast episode we examine an animal’s capacity for a good life and the opportunities they get to fulfil that. In this eye-opening episode, Dr. O'Neill challenges traditional veterinary approaches, arguing that good animal welfare extends far beyond the absence of disease. He presents a groundbreaking framework based on two key elements: an animal's capacity for a good life and their opportunity to fulfil that capacity. Through compelling examples, including the concerning rise of brachycephalic breeds in the UK we see how human choices can significantly impact animals' ability to live naturally and happily.   BIOGRAPHY Dr Dan O’Neill , Associate Professor Companion Animal Epidemiology, RVC MVB BSc(Hons) GPCert(SAP) GPCert(FelP) GPCert(Derm) GPCert(B&PS) PGCertVetEd FHEA MSc(VetEpi) PhD FRCVS Following 22 years in general veterinary practice, Dan moved to academia to gain a PhD and now co-leads the RVC VetCompass™ Programme. With over 170 papers, he also co-authored the books ‘Breed Predispositions to Disease in Dogs and Cats’ and ‘Health and Welfare of Brachycephalic (Flat-faced) Companion Animals’. He is a founding member of the UK Brachycephalic Working Group, the UK Legal Advisory Group on Extreme Conformation in Dogs and the International Collaborative on Extreme Conformation in Dogs. Dan was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2018, the BSAVA Blaine Award for Advancement of Small Animal Science in 2019, the International Canine Health Award from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust in 2021, the UK All Party Parliamentary Group ‘Phillippa Robinson Dog Welfare Award’ in 2024 and the RCVS Impact Award in 2025. Dan is currently developing his Innate Health Concept as an application for the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW) that aims to shift the UK dog demographic progressively away from extreme conformation over the coming decade. 

Welcome back!  In this episode we catch up with Dr Toby Trimble, the founder of Trimble Group, a film production company, reinventing education for animal health. Listeners to the podcast will know that education features a lot in conversations about animal welfare, so, in this episode we get the chance to look at this in more detail and discover just why education is so important.  You can find out more about Toby's work at Trimble Group or find Toby on LinkedIn  Biography Toby is an RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia and the founder of Trimble Group, a film production company reinventing education for animal health, making it less like PowerPoint and more like Netflix. He focuses on making education engaging, visual, and memorable. With his team, Toby has created over one thousand CPD videos and live broadcasts in the UK, Europe, Asia and Australia.  

After a slightly longer break than we had anticipated, I'm really happy to let everyone know that we're back! With so much happening in the world of animal welfare it's difficult to know where to start, but we're going to try.  Join Mary this week for a short introduction to the new series.   Our first full episode of this new series goes live on 16th May, when we catch up with Dr Toby Trimble to find out more about the importance of education in relation to animal welfare. More information about that episode to follow in a few days. 

It’s the end of the year, so we took the chance to review the podcast. I still can’t believe that we’ve being doing this for a year now and had the chance to talk to so many people, about the great work they’re doing in relation to animal welfare. It would be great, if you get a chance to go through the back catalogue and listen to some of the older episodes, but we wanted to highlight a few different things. Education – this has been discussed in every single episode – in relation to the veterinary profession, owners, the public, government and just about everyone! Charities are essential for animal welfare – we caught up with Dogs Trust, SSPCA, USPCA and Humanimal Trust and found out more about the scope of work that they undertake People – animal welfare is inextricably linked to the welfare of people. Where there are problems with society, then there are problems with animal welfare. You can find out more about some of our guests at: Dogs Rehoming & Dog Rescue Charity | Dogs Trust Home | Humanimal Trust | One Medicine for Humans and Animals Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals | SSPCA USPCA | Protecting All Animals The Leading UK Dog Magazine - Dogs Today Magazine Saving Wildcats | Scottish wildcat conservation and recovery | Saving Wildcats Veterinary Osteoarthritis Alliance – Providing information and education to veterinary professionals in the field of osteoarthritis All-party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group University of Glasgow - Postgraduate study - Taught degree programmes A‑Z - Advanced Practice in Veterinary Nursing Vet Sustain BVA policy - Animal welfare strategy   Books by our guests: One Welfare in Practice: The Role of the Veterinarian - 1st Edition – Dr Matt Morgan Through A Vet’s Eyes by Dr Sean Wensley | The home of non-fiction publishing Thank you to everyone for taking part in the podcast, and for listening - and we're looking forward to more conversations in 2025. 

Welcome to the next episode of The Animal Welfare Conversation. This week we are joined by Prof Simon Girling. Simon has worked with zoological collections for the past 15 years, and has been involved with many different reintroduction programmes in Scotland and across the UK. In this episode we find out what it takes to successfully reintroduce a species. The Scottish Beavers Reinforcement Project | BIAZA Scottish Beavers | Beaver reintroduction | Scottish Wildlife Trust Saving Wildcats | Scottish wildcat conservation and recovery | Saving Wildcats Cairngorms Connect | News Item   Prof Simon Girling Simon worked in general practice and government before focussing on zoological medicine. He was awarded the RCVS Certificate in Zoological Medicine in 1999 and the Diploma in Zoological Medicine (Avian) in 2002 and RCVS Specialist status in 2003 being the first vet in the country to obtain the avian specialism. In 2012 he became the first vet in the UK to be awarded European Veterinary Specialist in Zoo Health Management and was awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2016 for Meritorious Contributions to Practice Simon is a past president of the British Veterinary Zoological Society and the European College of Zoological Medicine and set up the first UK veterinary residency training position in 2013 that leads to EU recognition as a veterinary specialist in Zoo Health Management. He currently advises the UK and Devolved Governments on animal welfare, both captive and wild through his work on a number of committees including DEFRA's Zoo Experts Committee (which he has chaired since 2018), DEFRA's Animal Welfare Committee and the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission. ​​Simon recently completed a PhD focussing on the reintroduction of the Eurasian Beaver to the UK and has worked on many different reintroduction programmes including water voles, wildcats and pine hover flies. He lectures widely in the UK and Europe on many different aspects of zoological medicine, both to vets and veterinary nurses and has written widely on this subject, including the core text for veterinary nurses on exotics - 'Veterinary Nursing of Exotic Pets' now in its 2nd edition (3rd edition out in April 2025). 

In this episode we were lucky enough to catch up, earlier this year, with Mike Flynn MBE, Chief Superintendent of the Scottish SPCA, and we caught up just before he retired, to find out more about his 37-year career protecting animals both across Scotland and further afield. We consider the achievements of this career and challenges of working in animal welfare, including organising the largest dog-fighting capture in Europe, in 1991, that resulted in 31 arrests and convictions. We highlight the work of the Scottish SPCA, and how they work within current legislation.  We look at the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act of 2006, which granted Scottish SPCA inspectors statutory powers, and we also look at more recent achievements in relation to animal welfare, including a ban on snaring, which has been effective in Scotland from November 2024. Mike advocates for better enforcement of animal welfare laws, including a national register for animal abusers and stronger penalties. And on a lighter note, we also share memorable cases, such as transporting a crocodile to Spain and rescuing an ostrich in Leith Walk, Edinburgh. On thing that we hope everyone takes away from this conversation is the urgent need for Government to update the Veterinary Surgeons Act of 1966 - a lot has changed over the last 58 years and this really is something that needs to be considered.  We hope you will join the animal welfare conversation.   Links for further information: Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals | SSPCA SSPCA 2024 Winter Appeal TV advert Home - Safeguarding People And Animals - The Links Group Animal Welfare Act 2006 Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966   Biography: Mike Flynn MBE Mike recently retired as Chief Superintendent of the Scottish SPCA, having started working for them in 1987. Mike set up the Scottish SPCA undercover unit, tackling areas of cruelty including organised dog fighting, badger baiting and puppy farming, and also wrote the first Inspectors’ Instruction manual approved by the Crown Office. Within the Scottish SPCA Mike was responsible for all uniformed staff of the society; all Parliamentary issues relating to animal welfare for both devolved and reserved issues; and dealing with all animal welfare related Government consultations, including the provision of oral evidence to both Scottish and Westminster Committees. He has assisted in the implementation of animal welfare legislation around the world including Jersey, North and Southern Ireland, Canada and Catalonia. Mike is a founder member of the original Links Group (exploring the link between animal and human abuse), is an independent external animal welfare advisor and was awarded an MBE in the Queens 80th birthday honours list for services to animal welfare in Scotland. He is an Honorary associate of the BVA (British Veterinary Association) and RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons) and advises Scottish Government through membership of the Scottish Government’s Animal Welfare Commission.    

Trigger warning This is part 2 of an episode that we recorded with Dr Paula Boyden, Veterinary Director at Dogs Trust. This extra episode focusses on domestic abuse, and how the work of the Dogs Trust and The Links Group supports people, and provides foster homes for the dogs of people who find themselves affected by domestic abuse.  16 days of activism against gender based violence takes place from 25th November until 10th December - you can find out more about this here.  If you are interested in supporting Dogs Trust as a foster carer then you can find out more here.  Find out more about: Freedom Project The Links Group    

In this episode we catch up with Dr Paula Boyden, Veterinary Director at Dogs Trust, to find out more about their work. Dogs Trust is the largest dog welfare organisation in the UK, rehoming 14,000 dogs a year and many of you will be familiar with their work.  Alongside their rehoming work, they work across public affairs, outreach, and dog behaviour. A current focus for them is  the push for stronger legislation to address puppy smuggling, a topic which we find out more about, as well as discussing the current challenges of dangerous dogs legislation. But their work doesn’t just focus on dogs – a large part of their work is about people. And so we decided to split this interview into 2 parts, with part 1 focussing on Dogs Trust, and part of 2 focussing on their work around domestic abuse, through key projects like Freedom for domestic abuse survivors, and Paula’s work with The Links Group. 25th November to 10th December marks 16 days of activism against gender based violence; and it will be no surprise there is a spike in domestic abuse incidents around Christmas. The work of the Freedom project and The Links Group is important all year, but particularly around Christmas, and so we wanted to highlight this. So, there will be another special episode of the podcast released on Monday.   Further information Dogs Rehoming & Dog Rescue Charity | Dogs Trust The Links Group Freedom (fostering for dogs belonging to people fleeing domestic abuse) Puppy Smuggling – Westminster - recent news   Biography Paula Boyden graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London in 1992. She spent 11 years in general practice, before moving into a technical role in industry in 2003. Paula joined Dogs Trust in 2010, where she is now Veterinary Director. Her responsibilities include oversight of Dogs Trust’s veterinary matters, outreach and public affairs work.   Paula has a particular interest in the link between abuse of animals and abuse of people and is current Chair of the Links Group. She also chairs the Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG), is vice chair of the Canine and Feline Sector Group, sits on the RSPCA’s Prosecutions Oversight Panel and is a member of the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission. Paula is a founder member of the Association of Charity Vets.   In 2017, Paula received BSAVA’s J A Wight Memorial Award for her contribution to the welfare of companion animals, and in 2023 the WSAVA’s Global One Health Award.

In this episode we sit down with Professor Cathy Dwyer of SRUC and Edinburgh University.  Prof Dwyer will be known already, to many of our listeners, as an advocate for animal welfare. There were so many take-aways from this episode that it's difficult to highlight a few main points, but here goes - sentience, current challenges in animal welfare, generating and applying evidence to animal welfare, education, and influencing government policy to name a few!  We also reflect on people, rather than animals, as I came away from our conversation thinking about how human behaviour impacts on animal welfare.  Whether you’re a student of animal welfare, someone working with animals or an animal keeper, this episode has something for everyone. We would love you to join the animal welfare conversation.   Further Information: Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education International work supporting animal welfare   Biography: Professor Cathy Dwyer, BSc, PhD Cathy is Professor of Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare at SRUC (Scotland’s Rural College) and has a joint appointment with the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies (RDSVS), University of Edinburgh where she is the Director of the Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education (JMICAWE) since 2016. In 2019 she was also appointed by Scottish Government to Chair the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission which provides independent scientific advice on animal welfare to Ministers and parliamentary committees. Cathy has research interests in parturition, mother-offspring interactions and behavioural development in ruminants; human-animal interactions and welfare in horses; welfare assessment in a number of species, and assessment of pain. She teaches animal behaviour and welfare to undergraduate vet students, vet nurses and animal science students, and contributes to the University of Edinburgh MSc Programmes in animal behaviour and welfare on campus and online. Cathy sits on the scientific advisory committees for Dog’s Trust, the Horse Trust, British Veterinary Association Animal Welfare Foundation, the Scientific Advisory Board of the Global Animal Partnership and University of Vienna Veterinary School. She was the 2013 recipient of the BSAS/RSPCA Award for outstanding achievement in animal welfare and led the application that resulted in the RDSVS being awarded the first CEVA Animal Welfare Vet School Award in 2020.

In this episode we focus on the work of the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, otherwise known as the USPCA.  Established in 1836, the USPCA is the second oldest animal welfare charity in the world, and we were delighted to have the chance to talk to Nora Smith, Chief Executive.  The USPCA work across many different areas of animal welfare including rehoming, working with wildlife, providing veterinary care, animal cruelty investigations, community support and campaigning, particularly around the illegal puppy trade and badger baiting, amongst other things.  There are lots of challenges in animal welfare, but you'll hear many examples of how the USPCA is influencing, supporting, campaigning and improving the lives of animals and people across Northern Ireland.  Find out more about the work of the USPCA here  Speaker Biography Nora Smith, is the Chief Executive of the USPCA, she has been in post since January 2023.  As CEO her role is to lead the staff team to grow and extend the charity’s services across Northern Ireland.  Prior to working with the USPCA, Nora was the Chief Executive of a membership-based charity providing leadership support for Charity Chief Executives, a post she held for eight years.  She has experience of working across the public, private and third sectors, leading change and growth strategies.  Advocacy and campaigning have been a central function of her experience.  Nora lives with her partner Michael, alongside their eight-year old cat called Eamonn and Cooper a three-year energetic Labrador.

Episode 17 - What impact does behaviour have on animal welfare? With Nikki McLeod BSc(Hons) PGDip(CAB) NCert(Behav) RVN ISFM CertFN & AdvCertFB  In this episode we focus on animal behaviour and the impact behavioural problems can have on animal welfare. We consider how important it is for all veterinary professionals to understand animal behaviour both to prevent and cure problems. We also focus on veterinary nursing, and the need for veterinary nurses to play a key role in improving animal welfare through behavioral awareness and education. Along the way Nikki tells us more about her career, taking time out, and following her own path in the world of animal behaviour. A crazy cat lady and self-confessed study geek, Nikki has been a RVN since 2000. With her fingers in many pies, she splits what little time she has, between working as the Cat Advocate, and a consulting nurse, for a small animal practice in Fife, Scotland, as well as studying for multiple certificates. Not satisfied with gaining her first undergraduate degree at the age of 50, she has now gained a Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Animal Behaviour from the University of Edinburgh. She has a vision of becoming a practice-based Clinical Animal Behaviourist in the near future. She is also keeping a British Veterinary Nursing Association Council seat warm for three years, while also campaigning for promoting excellence in animal behaviour and training as a trustee for the Animal Behaviour and Training Council.  When work and studies doesn’t consume her brain, her husband and kids fry it gently and keep her on her toes. Sleep is optional. Find out more about: https://bvna.org.uk/blog/category/protect-the-title/ https://catfriendlyclinic.org/ https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/how-we-help/professionals/vet-clinics https://abtc.org.uk/ www.Instagram.com/nurse_positiVety BehaviouRVNs | Podcast on Spotify

Welcome to the latest collection of conversations, focussing on the world of animal welfare. We’re going to start this season by considering pain, analgesia and arthritis, with Professor Stuart Carmichael. Did you know that 40% of all dogs, across all ages, have pathological osteoarthritis? And that the condition can be detected in dogs as young as 6 months of age.  Or that 80% of cats over 10 years old with have arthritis?  In this episode we consider osteoarthritis, consider how this can affect young and older animals, and the challenges associated with recognising chronic pain. We look at the long term management, rather than acute relief of chronic pain, including monoclonal antibodies, regenerative techniques using stem cells and owner education. One of the main themes from this conversation is the team approach to this condition and we look at how the traditional 10-15 minute veterinary consultation needs to change to provide animals and their owners with a more rounded approach to pain management. We discuss the Veterinary Osteoarthritis Alliance initiatives including the Blue Paw Award and practice accreditation scheme.  We also discover some of the surprising similarities between the management of osteoarthritis and dermatology cases!   Prof Carmichael has a wide experience as a specialist clinician in orthopaedics and in veterinary business management. He is Diplomate, a past Specialist and current Fellow of the RCVS.  He has been Director of both Queen Mother Hospital and Small Animal Hospital at Glasgow and Professor of Clinical Studies and Associate Dean for Clinical Services at Glasgow University. He has also been National Referrals Director at Vets Now Ltd, a Director at Fitzpatrick Referrals Ltd. and visiting Professor at University of Surrey. Charity roles have included acting as Board member and Chair of International Cat Care and as a trustee and Board member of Blue Cross. He is currently running a veterinary consultancy business, Joint Adventures Ltd., is a Co-Founder and Board member of the Veterinary Osteoarthritis Alliance and is also Director and Co-founder of Aim-OA Ltd., providing a web-based Disease Management System for chronic osteoarthritis in dogs.  Further information: Veterinary Osteoarthritis Alliance – Providing information and education to veterinary professionals in the field of osteoarthritis Blue Paw – Veterinary Osteoarthritis Alliance Practice Accreditation Scheme – Veterinary Osteoarthritis Alliance Treated Like Animals - Simmons - 9781784273415 – Pelagic Publishing Are we smart enough to know how smart animals are? 

Sneak preview! We are still finalising things, but I wanted to let you know that Animal Welfare Conversations is launching a new award for Animal Welfare.  The Alex Fraser Medal for Animal Welfare will be awarded on an annual basis to someone who has shown outstanding commitment to improving the lives of animals.  More information about how to nominate someone (or put yourself forward for consideration) will be available soon, but I wanted to let you know that this will be happening later in the year, so you can start thinking about your animal welfare heroes now.  More information will be on the website soon and you if you sign up to the podcast newsletter then you'll be the first to know about things.  In the meantime we've been recording new interviews with some amazing guests, and the podcast will be back to normal in a few weeks, after the summer break!

Welcome to the next episode of the Animal Welfare conversation. This week we’re joined by Dr Bronwyn Orr, who is a veterinary surgeon in Australia. Dr Bronwyn Orr has a particular interest in animal welfare, completing a Master of Science majoring in International Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law from the University of Edinburgh and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from University of Sydney. She is a Member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists by examination in Animal Welfare, and has spent much of the past decade of her career working in animal welfare policy, research and in frontline settings including shelters and abattoirs. She was President of the Australian Veterinary Association between 2022-2023 and last year was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to explore veterinary workforce policies overseas. She is based in Canberra and in late 2023 took over CAWSEL, Courses in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law held in Cambridge annually for the past thirty years. Find out more about Bronwyn’s career journey and her diverse experiences in animal welfare, policy and education. Join us as we consider the current challenges for animal welfare in Australia, including industrial farming,  political polarization, lack of progressive policies, and resistance to change; find out more about undertaking a Churchill Fellowship, and the problems of recruitment and retention within the veterinary industry and the impact of this on animal welfare. We hope you enjoy the animal welfare conversation.   Links and Further Information: Churchill Trust Vet Matters  

In this episode we catch up with Dr Marc Abraham OBE, BVM&S MRCVS, or ‘Marc the Vet’ as he’s usually known, a multi-award-winning veterinary surgeon, author, broadcaster, and animal welfare campaigner.  Marc qualified from Edinburgh University in 1995, and during one nightshift at his Brighton out-of-hours emergency clinic in 2009 treated some poorly pups, then decided to campaign against irresponsible dog and cat breeding practices such as puppy farming. He founded awareness campaigns #WheresMum and Pup Aid, led the successful ‘Lucy’s Law’ campaign in Parliament to ban commercial third-party puppy and kitten sellers, e.g. pet shops. With Lucy’s Law now legislation in England, Wales, and Scotland, this means all UK dog and cat breeders are accountable.  Marc is also the co-founder and secretariat of the All-Party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group (APDAWG) in Westminster, was responsible for sourcing rescue pup Dylan for 10 Downing Street, appears regularly in the media, plus visits local schools chatting with pupils about caring for animals and looking out for one another.  Marc was recently awarded the OBE for Services to Animal Welfare by Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II, presented to him by His Royal Highness King Charles III at Windsor Castle.  Marc has just finished filming a documentary called ‘Dogspiracy’, available to stream this autumn, which looks at the puppy trade in the UK, US, and takes a behind-the-scenes look at campaigning.  Marc’s latest book ‘#BeMoreMosquito’ lists the tools required for grassroots campaigners to make practical and lasting change, from online petitions to social media, meeting politicians to engaging with select committees; all effective methods of raising awareness, changing behaviour, improving legislation, and sometimes all three.  Marc currently practices at an independently-owned veterinary practice, near Brighton, East Sussex, and in his downtime enjoys sea swimming, walking on the South Downs, and supporting Brighton & Hove Albion. Join us as we find out more about Marc’s work, including influencing legislation to bring about real and lasting change for animals. We hope you will join the animal welfare conversation.   Useful links Marc the Vet: www.marcthevet.net  Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/marcthevet  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarcTheVet/   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcabraham/  All-party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group (APDAWG): www.apdawg.co.uk Be More Mosquito - How you can campaign and create change   As mentioned in the podcast, this episode was recorded before the general election was called. So, unfortunately legislation relating to the banning of imported pups under 6 months and puppy smuggling and the import of dogs with mutilations bills were dropped; but the pet theft reform bill and the live export of sheep and cattle bills were passed.  The Assistance dog and accessibility meeting that is referred to has already happened.

In this episode we catch up with Beverley Cuddy, editor of Dogs Today Magazine.    Beverley Cuddy has been the editor of Dogs Today magazine since in launch in 1990 when it was part of the Daily Mail group. From childhood she was dog mad and worked at the weekly show dog papers before six long years at the Kennel Club trying to reform them from within! She has campaigned for a better dog world for decades - some of the successes include an end to quarantine and the start of Pet Passports, the end to cosmetic tail docking, the first ever take your dogs to work day, Lucy’s Law to take the dog out of the pet shop and most recently the Pet Theft Abduction Bill. Her most recent project is The Bark Angel - a fledgling tech start up to change the way the public adds a dog to their family. To make finding ethical breeders and rescues just much simpler and more attractive than what currently happens online. Beverley shares her life with Honey a young Cocker Spaniel and Betty a 10-year-old rescue dog that is a cross between an Old English and a Golden Retriever. And a long-suffering husband and three grown up boys that also love dogs. Beverley’s life story has been told in the magazine on the Confessions of a dog lover column on the back page and is collated in the free book called The Devil Wears Dog Hair - which is also the name of her occasional podcast. Beverley often appears on TV and radio talking about dogs - what else? Link here to Confessions Book with links to free copies to Dogs Today and more: https://midd.me/OABH Join us as we talk about personal experiences and insights of advocating for animal welfare, speaking up for the underdog and protecting the interests of animals. We hope you will join the animal welfare conversation.   Further information: Dogs Today Magazine Lucy's Law The Bark Angel Companion Spaniel Project - Facebook Cavalier Project        

In this episode we meet Sam Fontaine MSc PGCAP BSc DipAVN(Med) RVN FHEA SFRET Sam qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2002 and after a short time in general practice, joined the University of Glasgow’s Small Animal Hospital as their first dedicated oncology nurse in 2003. She spent 16 years in the SAH working both in the oncology service, and latterly as the deputy nursing services manager, where she co-led a team of over 50 veterinary nurses and veterinary care assistants. During her time in clinics, Sam gained her RCVS Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing in Medicine and an MSc in Veterinary Clinical Studies, where she investigated the role of the serum biomarker C-reactive protein in dogs with lymphoma. In 2017 Sam launched the MSc, PG Diploma, and PG Certificate in Advanced Practice in Veterinary Nursing, and the PG Certificate was accredited by the RCVS in 2019 for the Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Nursing. This fully online postgraduate programme has evidence-based veterinary nursing and quality improvement at its core, and Sam and her team have welcomed students from across the globe. She enjoys seeing veterinary nurses on the programme becoming empowered as they develop a skill set that supports them to become champions of change within their practice. Sam was awarded an RCVS Knowledge Award in 2021 for promoting Quality Improvement within veterinary nurse education. She has a keen interest in research, having published on a range of topics, and she is currently undertaking a professional doctorate in education. Sam is a strong advocate for the advancement of the profession and believes that veterinary nurses can contribute significantly to improving patient safety and to expanding the veterinary nursing evidence base.     Links to further information Advanced Practice in Veterinary Nursing PGCert / PGDip / MSc   RCVS Knowledge Natter   An Introduction to the Advanced Practice in Veterinary Nursing Online Programme

In this episode we meet Emma Ruggles RVN CertVNECC APVN (Wildlife and Zoo Animals) L3CertSAHydro.  Emma has worked in the veterinary industry for 10 years and qualified as a registered veterinary nurse in 2016, and has always had a passion for small animal emergency and critical care and wildlife conservation. After 1 year of working as an RVN in practice she started the CertVNECC qualification, and became a Locum RVN as of June 2018. Since then as well as working as a locum across the UK in both referral and general practice, they have travelled/worked and volunteered abroad in South Africa, the Cook Islands, Australia and most recently Thailand with the Wildlife Friends Foundation. Emma was interested in diversifying their nursing career and so undertook 6 months training and then qualified as a Canine Hydrotherapist in March 2022. Emma loves the consistency of investing in your patients and seeing them back for regular therapy sessions, forming a connection with the animal and the client as well. It is so rewarding to see your patient make positive progress with a rehab plan that you put in place. Emma continues to learn a lot about hydrotherapy and truly believes it is a key step in improving the welfare/wellbeing of the patients we see in practice. Clients are seeking surgical alternatives and/or they invest in surgery and want to achieve the best possible recovery for their pet and so will seek a programme of aftercare and rehabilitation. Conditions such as osteoarthritis and management of the geriatric patient are being more widely discussed amongst clients and with that  the rehab sector can work with the vet and owner to provide the best possible care plan for management of these patients. Further information* Canine Arthritis Management – information and resources on caring for your arthritic dog, courses, and products for both pet owners and veterinary professionals. Canine Arthritis Management – Arthritis in Dogs Blue Bear Animal Rehabilitation – Copford in Colchester Essex Home | Colchester | Blue Bear Animal Rehabilitation Hydrotherapy training Courses | K9HS Courses | Canine Hydrotherapy Courses BVNA Article on Running Senior Pet clinics in practice. Running Senior Clinics: A marathon or a sprint? - British Veterinary Nursing AssociationBritish Veterinary Nursing Association (bvna.org.uk) Canine Hydrotherapy Association – providing more information on Canine Hydrotherapy and its benefits. Canine Hydrotherapy Association - Canine Hydrotherapy Association (canine-hydrotherapy.org) National Association of Registered Canine Hydrotherapists - providing more information on Canine Hydrotherapy and its benefits NARCH | National Association of Registered Canine Hydrotherapists - About Us Ruggles, E. (2023) Alongside a career as a veterinary nurse – the road to patient rehabilitation. VNJ 38(5) pp 25-31. Thanks to Girling & Fraser Ltd for enabling this podcast. If you enjoy the podcast, please follow us and subscribe to our mailing list.  *Links are provided for information purposes only. Animal Welfare Conversation does not endorse any links provided here for information.   

In this episode we chat to Lacey Pitcher RVN about the world of veterinary nursing, and that impact of that on animal welfare.  We consider the importance of understanding socio-economic factors in animal welfare, sharing personal experiences and emphasizing the need for empathy and understanding towards pet owners. It’s likely that we’re going to see a shift in the veterinary profession's approach to care, and we consider the importance of collaboration, empathy, and contextualized care. Trust and relationships were also discussed as crucial in veterinary medicine, with a focus on building trust with clients through open communication and nurturing relationships with clients and their pets. Lacey Pitcher RVN Biography Lacey Pitcher RVN is a veterinary nurse with a very squiggly career. Having grown up in South Wales and worked all over the UK, Lacey has used her career passport in many ways. Lacey is passionate about connecting people and about providing accessible education and support, to improve not only animal welfare, but also to maintain the human-animal bond. Lacey currently works as the editor of VN Times, a locum RVN and volunteers at a few different outreach projects. Thanks to Girling & Fraser Ltd for enabling this podcast. If you enjoy the podcast, please follow us and subscribe to our mailing list. 

In this short intro episode, we highlight new episodes for May, otherwise known as Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month. So, we're focussing on the impact of veterinary nursing on animal welfare.  In our first 3 episodes we chat to Lacey Pitcher of the VN Times, Emma Ruggles, hydrotherapy vet nurse, and Sam Fontaine, programme lead for the MSc in Advanced Veterinary Nursing Practice at Glasgow Vet School.  The first new episode goes out on 17th May so we hope you will join #TheAnimalWelfareConversation. 

In this episode we take a break from interviews, and Mary considers the impact of the CMA report on animal welfare.  Recent years have seen many changes in veterinary practice, and in particular the corporatisation of the industry. Whilst there are still independent practices out there, many of the UK's veterinary practices are owned by small number of large corporates. In this situation vets and veterinary nurses are employees of a larger company, and are not responsible for pricing decisions.  The Competitions and Markets Authority recently examined the provision of veterinary services, and has decided to carry out further work in this area.  Healthcare for humans and animals has seen ground-breaking advances in recent years, and, as with the NHS, state of the art healthcare has a financial cost. But how much are owners willing to pay, and how much should practices charge?  As a profession vets and veterinary nurses are not well paid in comparison to other professionals, and much of the cost paid by owners will disappear into practice overheads, including the purchase and maintenance of diagnostic equipment which wouldn't be out of place in a local human hospital. In vet practice, diagnostic tests and surgery are often carried out on the same day - a service which is not always replicated in human healthcare (NHS or private).  Advances in healthcare have saved the lives of many animals but the cost of veterinary treatment is going up. We consider how this could impact on animal welfare, and ask the question, what do owners want?  Competition: As mentioned, during April, we are running a competition to win a copy of One Medicine by Dr Matt Morgan, and Through a Vet's Eyes, by Dr Sean Wensley. To be in with a chance of winning all you need to do is subscribe to our email list which can be found at Animal Welfare Conversations  

This edition of Animal Welfare Conversations focusses on veterinary life in Australia. We’re joined by Dr Tanya Stephens BVSc, MSc, IAWEL, MANZCVS, FRCVS. Tanya is a veterinary practitioner in Australia, who has been able to combine a clinical career in practice alongside research on kangaroos, actively supported the profession, completed further studies in the area of animal welfare, and received a number of awards for her veterinary work. Her main interests are in animal welfare, research, evidence based practice, ethics and sustainability. She has recently edited One Welfare in Practice, The Role of the Veterinarian. Join us as we discuss the challenges of running a practice in the 21st century, controversy around the term gold standard in practice, the art of veterinary science, clinical decision making, climate change and the challenges of animal welfare in Australia. 

In this episode of The Animal Welfare Conversation we are joined by Joe Bailey, CEO of the Humanimal Trust, a charity set up in 2014 by Professor Noel Fitzpatrick to support collaboration between human health professionals and veterinary professionals, to enable knowledge sharing for the benefit of humans and animals. We find out more about one medicine and discover why education is central to improving animal welfare. We consider sentience and how important it is to ensure that all animals have choice; and look in more depth at why complacency can be one of the biggest challenges to animal welfare. And finally, Joe highlights how everyone can make a difference, and how great things can be achieved if everyone does one small thing every day. Find out more about the Humanimal Trust Home | Humanimal Trust | One Medicine for Humans and Animals Biography Joe Bailey joined Humanimal Trust as CEO in November 2023. She has worked in various animal welfare related roles, predominantly for the RSPCA, as an Inspector and then more recently as Head of farming, welfare and wellbeing for RSPCA Assured. Joe is passionately dedicated to protecting animals, preventing suffering, exploitation and abuse, and not only influencing but delivering systemic change in order to create a better, fairer world for all beings, which is the reason the Trusts aims of converging human and animal medicine-One Medicine-appealed. By building strong relationships with NGOs, Governments, and other organisations both in the UK and globally, she has positively affected change in behaviour and in policies pertaining to welfare, wellbeing and sustainability. Joe is a Nuffield Scholar, having studied ‘The Welfare of man and Beast’ and travelled extensively looking at the correlation between welfare and wellbeing. she is on the Board of One Welfare Phoenix, and has recently become a Trustee of My Black Dog, a mental health charity.  

In this episode we catch up with Dr Matt Morgan, Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine, adjunct Professor, regular BMJ columnist and author of One Medicine - What animals can teach us and why it matters.  We chat about the physiological, anatomical and behavioural similarities between humans and animals and how we can improve veterinary care for animals, alongside improving medical care for humans. We find out more about the concept of one medicine, how human medicine advances were inspired by the animal world, the importance of a joint education for vets and medics, and consider what the medical profession can learn from vets.  Matt's book One Medicine will be released in paperback in March.  About Dr Matt Morgan Matt Morgan is a Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine, adjunct Clinical Professor and regular BMJ columnist. He has contributed to >50 scientific articles following his PhD in artificial intelligence including the NEJM, Lancet and JAMA. After appearing on television and radio, he gave the 2023 Woodridge Lecture and was nominated for the Royal Society’s David Attenborough prize for public engagement. His first book CRITICAL tells remarkable stories of patients in the intensive care unit. His second book, ONE MEDICINE, explores how understanding animals can help treat human disease. His third book will look at the lives of patients after surviving a cardiac arrest. His is a member of the BMJ Commission on the Future of the NHS and is the medical advisor for The National Theatre’ in London’s production of "Nye", the story of Aneurin Bevan. He lives in Cardiff with his family. Animal Welfare Conversations website Sign up to the Animal Welfare Conversation mailing list

In this episode we chat to Dr Simon Doherty. With experience in veterinary practice, industry, academia and professional representation there is a lot to talk about, including how innovation and sustainability can improve animal welfare and what the UK can learn from around the world. As always, we ask Simon what animal welfare means to him.  More information about the podcast and our guests can be found on the podcast website, where you can also subscribe to our newsletter.  Animal Welfare Conversations Further information and links: QUB Institute for Global Food Security: https://www.qub.ac.uk/Research/GRI/TheInstituteforGlobalFoodSecurity/   Trade and Agriculture Commission (TAC): https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/trade-and-agriculture-commission   CowSignals: https://www.cowsignals.com/en/   Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock (CIEL): https://cielivestock.co.uk   British Bee Veterinary Association: https://britishbeevets.com   Crustacean Compassion: https://www.crustaceancompassion.org   House of Lords evidence re supply of veterinary medicines in NI: https://committees.parliament.uk/event/20208/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/   Sustainability Vet Sustain   One Health UK One Health Co-ordination Group   vHive: https://vhive.buzz   Veterinary World British Veterinary Association Federation of Veterinarians of Europe   BVA Animal Welfare Foundation: https://www.animalwelfarefoundation.org.uk   World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association: https://www.wavma.org    

In this edition of Animal Welfare Conversations, I’m delighted to chat to Dr Sean Wensley. We discuss a diverse range of topics starting with what animal welfare means to Sean – that takes us into a fascinating conversation about the physical and mental wellbeing of animals, alongside animal welfare science, ethics and law. We delve into the complexities of each of these, how we can understand what an animal needs and wants and how to assess welfare. We discuss Sean’s book Through a Vet’s Eyes – How to Care for Animals and Treat Them Better a book which challenges us to see how animals experience the world and how we can make their lives better, across the spectrum of animals kept for food, as companions, for sport, and wild animals impacted by human activity. We discuss sentience, innate behaviour and behavioural needs, and what our relationship with animals should look like, alongside the importance of education and raising awareness about animal welfare problems. We look at the big challenges in animal welfare including breeding for brachycephaly (a ‘flattened face’ in certain dog breeds and other species) but also discuss areas of good work which need to be adopted more widely by animal owners. Although we discuss what governments can do to improve animal welfare, responsibility doesn’t end there, with the individual and society also having a central part to play in continuously striving to improve animal welfare. Further information Brachycephalic Working Group – Working together to improve the health and welfare of brachycephalic dogs (ukbwg.org.uk) RSPCA Assured UK - Farm Animal and Chicken Welfare BVA policy - Animal welfare strategy Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) Animal Welfare Strategy - FVE Animal Welfare Strategy: The Veterinary Voice for Europe’s Animals – FVE – Federation of Veterinarians of Europe World Organisation for Animal Welfare - WOAH - World Organisation for Animal Health Animal Welfare - WOAH - World Organisation for Animal Health Shock Collars / BVA / Template letter BVA policy - Electric shock collars and training aids BVA policy - Electric shock collars and training aids PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report - PAW Report - PDSA Guest Biography Dr Sean Wensley FRCVS is Senior Veterinarian for Animal Welfare and Professional Engagement at the UK veterinary charity, PDSA. He was President of the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and chaired the Animal Welfare Working Group of the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE). Sean has contributed to animal welfare and conservation projects around the world and received the Global Animal Welfare Award for Europe from the World Veterinary Association (WVA) and the J.A. Wight Memorial Award from the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA). His first book Through A Vet’s Eyes: How to care for animals and treat them better was one of the Financial Times’ Best Summer Books of 2022.

This edition of AWC focusses on wildlife with Veterinary Nurse Emma Onyejekwe. Many of you will know Emma as The Wildlife Vet Nurse and I’m sure that after listening to this discussion you will want to follow in her footsteps working with some amazing animals around the world, and here at home. In 2023, Emma was awarded a 30 under Thirty Award at the London Vet Show for her work promoting wildlife care.  In this episode we cover a diverse range of topics, including how to raise awareness about the veterinary nursing role, the important role that veterinary nurses play in education (there’s a theme emerging here), ethical dilemmas of working with wildlife, what opportunities can be created with a veterinary nursing qualification and how to break into wildlife veterinary nursing. Emma’s enthusiasm for caring for wildlife is clear throughout. I really enjoyed having the chance to talk to Emma, and I’m sure you'll enjoy listening.   Useful sites and further information on the topics discussed: The Wildlife Vet Nurse on Instagram / Website / and Facebook Improving the welfare of both wildlife and domestic cats - British Veterinary Nursing AssociationBritish Veterinary Nursing Association (bvna.org.uk) Cats and their Owners - SongBird Survival Research (songbird-survival.org.uk) BWRC | Ethics | British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council

We were delighted to chat with Amy Lyons in our more recent edition of Animal Welfare Conversations. Working as a veterinary nurse in Australia Amy sees a variety of different animals – anything from wombats and kangaroos through to rabbits and dogs. We look at how the role of the vet nurse is central to animal welfare – through vet nurse training, the challenges of working with wildlife, common husbandry conditions, owner education and the reality of working in practice. We compare life as a vet nurse in Australia with that in the UK, and identify similarities between the two countries for the profession. It’s clear that the role of the veterinary nurse is central to owner support and education – it doesn’t have to be boring, using social media and TikTok, giving glimpses of behind the scenes, can enable practices to engage with owners providing information in a friendly and approachable way. One surprising element to the discussion focussed on television programmes about vet practice, asking the question why they always focus on the vets, rather than the nurses. Perhaps there’s an idea for a new TV programme there. Listen now to find out more. Useful resources related to this episode: https://www.vnca.asn.au/ https://www.ava.com.au/ Home - Sleepy Burrows Wombat Sanctuary

Welcome to Animal Welfare Conversations A podcast for veterinary nurses, vets, vet students, and anyone who just loves working with animals. This podcast is for you if you want to feel part of a larger conversation and community around animal welfare in the UK and beyond. Our first season is all about highlighting the good work that’s already going on in animal welfare. Meet the humans working in animal welfare We have an inspiring list of guests for season 1. We’ll be talking to vet nurses, writers, vets, policymakers, and human doctors to explore the idea of animal welfare and their relationship with the human world. Gain knowledge and insight for your own practice Our chats will open up new ideas and ways of thinking and give you a fresh outlook on working with animals in modern times. Lightbulbs and ideas are one thing, but you’ll also get practical steps and actions to start implementing change, too. Work together to bring about real change in animal welfare You already do so much to improve the industry, but it’s when we come together that we can really impact change. Animal Welfare Conversations will highlight some areas that need to be addressed. We’ll talk about how change can happen and what you can do to get involved. Stay informed, stay involved To make sure you don’t miss any of the new episodes as they’re released, make sure you subscribe to the podcast and sign up to our mailing list where you’ll get more information about the episode and some behind-the-scenes insight, too. We hope you can join The Animal Welfare Conversation.