PODCAST · kids
Off Duty
by offdutypodcast1
Two vets. Two mums. Lots of animals.Off Duty blends real vet-life stories with expert advice on everything from puppies to ponies. With specialist guests, practical tips, and plenty of laughs, we help you understand your pets and horses — while juggling the madness of everyday life.
Episodes
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Inside Animal Welfare: Life as an ISPCA Inspector with Alice Lacey
In this episode of Off Duty, we sit down with Alice Lacey, Senior Animal Welfare Inspector with the ISPCA, to explore the realities of working on the front line of animal welfare in Ireland. Alice shares her journey from volunteering to becoming an inspector, and gives an honest insight into the...
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Bonus Episode: Your Strangles Questions Answered
With an increase in strangles cases and a lot of misinformation circulating on social media, we’re bringing you a short bonus episode of Off Duty to answer your questions. We managed to catch Off Duty co-host and equine vet Sabrina in the middle of a busy schedule to respond to real questions…
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“Just Go to Catherine” – Understanding Dog Behaviour Properly
If you’ve ever heard us say “Just email Catherine” — this is why. Catherine Griffin from Snout & About joins us to break down what behaviour actually means, why it’s not the same as training, and why so many cases have pain or emotional distress at the root. We talk: Puppy foundations...
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How to Pass Your Pony Club D+ Test | Stable Management & Riding Guide (Part 1)
Are you preparing for your Pony Club D+ Test? Wondering what examiners look for in stable management, riding and horse care? In this episode of Off Duty, we share a practical, step-by-step guide to passing the Pony Club D Plus Test — covering everything candidates must know before progressing to...
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The Completely Unofficial Blagger’s Guide to the Pony Club C Test: Stable Management (Episode 1)
In this episode, Sabrina Barnwell is joined by Vincent O’Hara as they work through Stable Management for the C Test, starting with one of the most important foundations of horsemanship: remembering that your pony is an animal, not a machine. We cover: Pony welfare and behaviour (including the...
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Mini Off Duty: How to Be a Dog’s Best Friend with Catherine Griffen, Snout and About
Welcome to Mini Off Duty, where we learn cool things about animals in ten minutes 🐾 In this episode, Mairead chats with Catherine from Snout & About, a dog behaviour consultant, all about how dogs feel, think, and communicate — and how kids can be the best kind of friend to their dog. Together…
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What Vet Nursing Is Really Like – The Honest Conversation We All Need with Claire Kinsella RVN
In this episode of Off Duty, we’re joined by Claire Kinslla, a veterinary nurse with over ten years’ experience across referral practice, first opinion clinics, small animal and equine work. Claire shares her honest journey through veterinary nursing — from starting out in a high-pressure…
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The Pony Club C Test – An Unofficial Audio Companion
An Unofficial Audio Guide to the Pony Club C Test This podcast is an unofficial support and revision guide designed to help listeners understand the horse care and stable management topics commonly covered in the Pony Club C Test. While it’s especially useful for Pony Club members preparing for...
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Mini Off Duty: A January Pause (Blue Monday Edition)
January can feel a little long — the days are short, the weather is grey, and everything feels quieter after Christmas. You might hear people talk about Blue Monday, a day that’s said to feel a bit heavier than usual. This short Mini Off Duty episode is a gentle pause for kids — and the grown-ups...
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From Donkeys to Dressage: The Una O’Donnell Story
Una O’Donnell joins Off Duty to share her journey from a horse-mad child in the Dublin mountains to respected coach, dressage judge and thoroughbred producer. We talk about learning the hard way, riding everything from donkeys to racehorses, balancing family life with a busy yard, and what really...
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Mini Off Duty: Planning Your Pony Year with Una O’Donnell
For every child who counts down the days to riding, who knows the smell of a stable, who finds their calm beside a pony. Whether you compete, hack, or just love being at the yard – this one’s for you. In this Mini Off Duty, Una O’Donnell shares gentle, practical advice on planning, preparation,...
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An Introduction to Us, Our Lives & How We Got Here
Every vet has a story — and this week, we’re sharing ours. From childhood horses and vet school struggles to early jobs, unexpected turns, family life and finding balance, this episode is all about how real life shapes the professionals we become. No perfection. No polish. Just honest…
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Off Duty Christmas Special: Santa Paws, Ponies & Naughty Lists
This Christmas special of Off Duty was recorded live at Santa Paws, so if you hear kids laughing, dogs snoring, ponies being discussed very seriously, or Santa having strong opinions about mince pies — that’s exactly how it’s meant to be. This is Christmas, Off Duty style. In this episode, we…
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Hope After Colic: Mr Trigger’s Surgery & Comeback
Colic is one word that strikes fear into the heart of every horse owner — and when surgery is mentioned, that fear often doubles. In this episode of Off Duty, we share the powerful real-life story of Mr Trigger, a much-loved pony who developed a surgical colic and came through the other side....
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🎧 Mini Off Duty: Colic Explained Simply – What Every Pony Owner Should Kno
“Colic” is a word that strikes fear into the heart of horse owners — but it doesn’t have to. In this Mini Off Duty episode, Sabrina breaks colic down in a clear, reassuring way, with help from two young pony experts who know their ponies inside out. We cover: How to spot when your pony isn’t…
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Fear, Anxiety & The Vet: Making Visits Happier for Pets (and Owners!)
Is your dog shaking before the vet even touches the thermometer? Does your cat know you turned left instead of right and start planning its escape? This week on Off Duty, Maireád and Sabrina deep-dive into Fear Free veterinary care — what it is, why it matters, and how tiny changes at home can...
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The Mini OffDuty: 3 W’s: Your Guide to Meeting Dogs Safely
In this week’s Mini Off Duty, we dive into dog safety for kids and families — especially important at this busy time of year. We chat about why dogs don’t want to bite, the moments when dogs feel scared or unsure, and the simple things children can learn to keep everyone safe and happy at home.…
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Prescription-Only Wormers: What Horse Owners Need to Know
Veterinary hosts Sabrina Barnwell and Mairead Leahy speak with parasite expert Nikki Wall about the new prescription-only rules for horse wormers, why parasite resistance is accelerating, and how outbreaks are affecting horses and herds. The episode covers practical advice on pasture management,...
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Pony Secrets: Worms, Poo and Prevention
Join Mini Off Duty with Dr Nicky Walsh as she explains what parasites (worms) are, how they live in ponies, and the signs to watch for like loose poo or weight loss. Learn simple prevention tips—pick up poo, use pasture management (and even ruminant "worm hoovers"), and when to ask a vet for…
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The Truth About Horse Vaccinations
Why vaccinate? Because prevention is cheaper, kinder and far safer than cure. In this episode, we break down tetanus, equine influenza, vaccination rules, foals, mares, competition requirements, and the biggest myths we hear every week in practice. If you own a horse—this is one not to miss. 🎧...
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Why Do We Vaccinate Our Pets? — Mini Off Duty with Vincent
Our newest Mini Off Duty star, Vincent, wants to know: “Why do we vaccinate our pets?” Dogs, cats, ponies — we break it all down in child-friendly language. 🎧 A perfect listen for little animal lovers! Don't miss the full episode on decoding vaccinations in horses...out on Thursday night
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From Banking to Vet Nursing: Cheryl’s Extraordinary Journey
In this full-length episode, we sit down with Cheryl — vet nurse, mum, mature student, cancer survivor, award-winner, and all-round powerhouse — for one of the most inspiring conversations we’ve had on Off Duty. Cheryl shares her remarkable journey from banking to veterinary nursing, retraining...
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Mini Off Duty- Licky-Licks, Loud Kittens & Vet Nurse Wisdom
In this Mini Pod episode, we’re joined by Cheryl, one of our brilliant veterinary nurses, who lifts the lid on what vet nurses really do — from calming nervous pets to mastering the ancient art of licky-lick bribery. We chat about how to make vet visits easier for your pet, the signs that...
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Welcome to Off Duty
In our first episode, vet and mums Mairead Leahy and Sabrina Barnwell finally sit down to chat about the beautiful chaos of juggling vet life, parenting, ponies and everything in between. We share why we started Off Duty, what listeners can expect and a few stories from behind the scenes-the…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Two vets. Two mums. Lots of animals.Off Duty blends real vet-life stories with expert advice on everything from puppies to ponies. With specialist guests, practical tips, and plenty of laughs, we help you understand your pets and horses — while juggling the madness of everyday life.
HOSTED BY
offdutypodcast1
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Off Duty have?
Off Duty currently has 24 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Off Duty about?
Two vets. Two mums. Lots of animals.Off Duty blends real vet-life stories with expert advice on everything from puppies to ponies. With specialist guests, practical tips, and plenty of laughs, we help you understand your pets and horses — while juggling the madness of everyday life.
How often does Off Duty release new episodes?
Off Duty is no longer actively publishing new episodes, but the existing catalog remains available.
Where can I listen to Off Duty?
You can listen to Off Duty on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening.
Who hosts Off Duty?
Off Duty is created and hosted by offdutypodcast1.
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