Rachel graduated from University College Dublin in 2012, after which she completed a rotating internship at Mississippi State University. She then spent two years working in small animal general practice in Manchester before starting a cardiology residency at The University of Edinburgh in 2015. She finished her residency and passed exams to gain the European Diploma in veterinary cardiology in 2019, also gaining a masters by research degree in the same year.   She joined the cardiology team at Pride Veterinary Centre in June 2019.

Carl graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2002 and after a few years in mixed practice undertook a residency in anaesthesia and intensive care at The Royal Veterinary College and Davies Veterinary Specialists. He has worked in both private and university specialist practice. Carl joined the anaesthesia team at Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists in October 2018.

Carl is an RCVS Recognised Specialist and an EBVS European Veterinary Specialist and is the current President of the Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists. His main areas of interest are the use of local anaesthetic techniques in pain management, and monitoring of ventilation during anaesthesia.

Stephen Butler is a Principal Research Scientist and group leader for dairy cattle reproduction research in Teagasc Moorepark, located in Co. Cork, Ireland. He has completed BS and MS degrees in agricultural science at University College Dublin, a PhD degree in animal science at Cornell University, and an MS in bioinformatics and systems biology at University College Cork. He was awarded the Maynard Award by Cornell University faculty in recognition of his outstanding graduate student achievements. His main areas of research include exploring the genetic basis of sub-fertility, oestrus and ovulation synchronization protocols to maximize submission rates for seasonal calving systems, the effects of micronutrients on dairy cow reproductive physiology, and strategies to utilize sexed semen in cattle production. He has presented invited plenary session talks at national and international conferences to animal scientists, veterinarians, policy makers and dairy herd-owners. He has served as an Editor for Livestock Science (2013-2015), and is currently an Editor for the Journal of Dairy Science in the Physiology section.

Laura graduated from University College Dublin in 2008 with a first class honours degree in Veterinary Medicine. She completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery, followed by a Masters of Science and residency in small animal surgery at the University of Florida (UF). In 2013, Laura joined University College Dublin as Assistant Professor in Small Animal Surgery. She was welcomed as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) and European College of Veterinary Surgeons (ECVS) in 2014, and as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (ACVSMR) in 2015 and European College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (ECVSMR) in 2018.

Laura currently offers specialist services from her purpose-built, state of the art, small animal specialty hospital Veterinary Specialists Ireland, in Summerhill, Co. Meath. Services include small animal surgery, sports medicine and rehabilitation.

Laura is actively involved in teaching and regularly delivers lectures and practical workshops nationally and internationally. Her research interests include orthopaedic biomechanics, specifically relating to medial coronoid disease in dogs, as well as teaching and proficiency assessment in minimally-invasive procedures. Laura maintains a strong interest in all aspects of orthopaedic, soft tissue, neurologic and oncologic surgery, however, her main clinical interests reflect her advanced training at UF in minimally-invasive techniques, traumatology and rehabilitation of the post-operative patient.

Mairead graduated with a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing from University College Dublin in 2004. She attained a Diploma in Higher Education Clinical Veterinary Nursing from Myerscough College in 2012, and followed this with an RCVS Advanced Diploma in Veterinary Nursing in 2013. She is currently studying towards a VTS surgical qualification.

Mairead currently works as Head Theatre Nurse at Gilabbey Veterinary Hospital, where she is responsible for the surgical nursing care of referral orthopaedic & soft tissue cases. She has worked for Gilabbey for the past eighteen years, playing a central role in their growth from a small mixed practice to a major referral centre. She enjoys all aspects of surgical nursing, and has a particular interest in anaesthesia and the care of spinal and orthopaedic patients.

Zoe graduated as a veterinary nurse from UCD in 2008. After spending her first year in Lisadell Equine Hospital, Zoe then moved to Tipperary and became head nurse at Fethard Equine Hospital.  From this position, she was then appointed as clinic manager and spent seven years overseeing the daily running of the referral hospital and team.

Zoe subsequently left this role to take up a lecturing position in Athlone IT. During this time, she locumed in the Pet Emergency Hospital in Dublin and other first opinion clinics in Dublin. Zoe then joined University College Dublin and undertook a clinical placement officer and assistant lecturer position. Four years ago, Zoe started as an area manager with Village Vets and has since moved into a general operations role where she is responsible for the running of twelve Village Vets sites.

Zoe’s main interests are promoting the veterinary industry as a secure and fulfilling career through effective leadership and team building. Zoe frequently returns to Athlone IT to speak to students about an array of topics such as working in practice & interview skills. Zoe and her team also work with the final year vet students in UCD doing mock interviews in preparation for their first position. Zoe holds Diplomas in Leadership, Management & Strategic Innovation and is due to complete a Masters of Business in June.

Tim Geraghty is centre manager of the SRUC Aberdeen Disease Surveillance Centre. Tim qualified from Glasgow in 2005 and after completing a Masters by research spent two years in farm animal practice in Lanarkshire. He completed a residency training programme of the ECBHM at UCD Dublin 2008-2011, specialising in preventative medicine in seasonal dairy systems. He then returned to Glasgow as a clinical lecturer, developing an interest in more intensive dairy systems. Moving to Aberdeenshire in 2015, his current role is focused on early warning surveillance and he maintains an active interest in applied research in cattle production systems.

Shane qualified from UCD and after 6 years in practice, went to Massey University in New Zealand where he did a small animal surgical residency programme. He subsequently returned to UCD as a clinical lecturer for three years before joining Gilabbey Veterinary Hospital in Cork city. Shane is a specialist surgeon and a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons. His areas of interest include minimally invasive fracture repair, osteoarthritis and spinal surgery. Shane also enjoys teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

Matt is a Liverpool graduate and Liverpool-trained anaesthetist and holds both RCVS and European Specialist status in anaesthesia and analgesia. Matt’s areas of interest are challenging anaesthesia and pain management. Matt works as Joint Head of Anaesthesia at Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists in Winchester.  Matt is one of the co-founders of the Zero Pain Philosophy which aims to educate veterinary professionals in excellence in pain management for every patient.

Tommy qualified in 2002 from UCD with a degree in veterinary medicine. He worked in mixed practice for 16 years and was a business owner from 2006-2016. He developed a keen interest in improving animal health and farm systems over this time.

He completed a 2 year graduate certificate in dairy herd health in UCD in 2013 and became a master CowSignals® trainer in 2015. He also completed a range of courses and training in mineral nutrition, fertility, mastitis and people performance over this time. He developed a range of his own farm health plans for ruminants.

He also became very active in the animal health training space and worked for the Irish Farmers Journal as their animal health specialist for 16 months up to December of 2019.

Tommy’s focus as a veterinary consultant is on the prevention of disease, improved animal health and performance. In 2018 Tommy was awarded an international Nuffield farming scholarship. His topic was “A cow centred approach to a modern dairy industry”. Over two years he visited 16 countries and met with global experts in animal health and nutrition. After this period of research, Tommy concluded that modern agriculture farming systems must optimise the biology of their animals to achieve happier, healthier animals, more profitable farmers and happier consumers.

Tommy now works with the Agri-industry, vets and farmers in all areas of farm animal health. He has a passion for effective communication and he creates regular blogs and videos on his website www.tommythevet.ie. 

Tommy’s key areas of interest: Effective communication and leadership in modern agriculture; optimising biology and animal health within farming systems; having a systems approach to farm animal health management; training and communication for the agricultural industry, farmers and vets; the development of farming systems which improve environmental efficiency and farmer sustainability; optimising nutrition and husbandry for healthier animals.

Tommy goal is “to help make farming better” by improving animal health, farmer profitability and the production of safe healthy food.

Clare has worked as a vet for 25 years, starting in mixed general practice before doing a residency at the University of Edinburgh where she gained a Masters, and the Diploma in Small Animal Medicine. Clare then moved to the University of Glasgow in 2000. Clare has two children and returned to work part-time after her first maternity leave. She became Director of the Small Animal Hospital when her children were both under 5 and then a Professor a year later. Having worked within the University’s Oncology service for 11 years, Clare established Hawk and Dove in 2018 – a veterinary oncology service to help veterinary practitioners in deliver the highest standards of cancer and tumour management. The aim of the service is to make high quality care more accessible and affordable through supporting veterinary practices and providing clients with the option of online consultations

Clare has also recognised the widespread need for support to manage the pressures of combining work and home life.  Clare wanted to find the tools that could help women and men flourish and enjoy their lives and became a One of Many™ Certified Women’s Coach.  Clare subsequently established Hawk and Dove Coaching in 2019 and uses her experiences as a working mum to help others who feel short of time and energy most of the time.

Professor Derek Knottenbelt qualified from Edinburgh in 1970 and spent the first years as research veterinarian in Zimbabwe. Thereafter, he spent 12 years in mixed and equine practice before turning to the academic world in Zimbabwe first and then Liverpool. He has specialised in equine internal medicine and although he retired from Liverpool in 2010 he continues to maintain his clinical and research interests in equine internal medicine. He is a Diplomat of the European College of Equine Internal Medicine and of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. He is director of Equine Medical Solutions Ltd and through this provides an advisory service in equine oncology and other challenging clinical conditions for veterinarians worldwide. He was awarded honorary life membership of ECEIM, BEVA, VWHA and ACVIM.  He received the Animal Health Trust Scientific Award in 2003, the BEVA (Blue Cross) Welfare award in 2004 and the Merck -WEVA International Welfare Award in 2006.  In 2005 he was appointed OBE by the Queen for his services to equine medicine. He has published widely on a range of topics and maintains an interest in equine internal medicine and oncology in particular. His main interests are in oncology, ophthalmology, wound management and dermatology.  He is the primary author of 10 recognised text books and over 70 refereed scientific papers. He is actively involved in animal and human charity work both in UK and abroad. He is a founder member of the ‘Vets with Horsepower’ team who champion the cause of the working equid as well as other welfare and humanitarian charities and raise money for charity through provision of high quality CPD to vets and horse owners.

Louise starting working in veterinary practice in 2004 and in 2009 qualified as a veterinary nurse. Since then she has worked in various first opinion practices and a referral hospital in the UK. In practice her main interests are anaesthesia, analgesia and emergency & critical care nursing. Since qualifying Louise has completed two further certificates – the VetsNow nurses certificate in emergency & critical care nursing (VNCertECC) in 2015 and the ESVPS nurses certificate in anaesthesia (NCertAnaesth) in 2017.

In 2019 Louise was awarded the RCVS inspiration award for her ongoing ability to inspire and enthuse others in practice and further afield. In addition she became an RCVS knowledge champion for the quality improvement procedures she undertakes in practice. Louise is currently clinical nurse lead at her practice and is responsible for reviewing clinical standards, implementing quality improvement practices and training the team in her areas of interest.

Alongside working full time in practice Louise is a British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) council  member and a part of the VN Futures Career progression working group & RCVS Practice standards scheme group.

Louise has a social media blog ‘Lou The Vet Nurse’ with over 12K followers. Through this platform she shares CPD, hints & tips and blogs about her life as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in the UK. Louise is keen to encourage nurses to view their career as one massive opportunity, to encourage lifelong learning, to find their niche and to know their self-worth. Louise is truly passionate and proud of the veterinary nursing profession and hopes to help empower other nurses to enjoy their career as much as she does hers.

Originally from Cork, Bryan is an equine surgery specialist. He works as an independent equine surgical consultant with veterinarians in the UK. Bryan predominantly performs surgery in the standing horse. His main interests are in surgically treatable diseases of the horse, varying from arthroscopic procedures to upper airway and complex sino-dental diseases.

Neil has been successfully running Mastermind groups since 2017. He is also a business consultant whose sole aim is growing the profits of business owners. He has consulted with over 260 companies including Centra, 4Star Pizza, EMC and many others including various government agencies.

Before running his consulting business, Neil spent 15 years as a management accountant spending time in the U.K, USA and Ireland working for the likes of EMC and Pfizer.

He is a published author of a critically acclaimed book “101 Business Lessons From a Recovering Accountant”. He has advised people who made successful appearances on ‘Dragon’s Den’ and mentored businesses through the post graduate program run by U.C.C.

Cathal works with Riverview Veterinary Group in Bandon, Co. Cork. Having qualified from UCD in 2011, he spent his first three years in mixed practice in Cornwall, UK. After some time in mixed practice in Cork, he then focused his attention on bovine fertility and gained significant experience in bovine reproductive ultrasonography. Beyond his duties as co-director of VetCon Ireland, Cathal enjoys helping farmers maximise reproductive efficiency on their farms as well as adding to his library of reproductive ultrasound images. He firmly believes in providing accurate reproductive ultrasonographic information to clients by utilising all available means of data and technology.

Sara Pedersen graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, London, in 2005 and has worked exclusively with farm animals ever since. Her interest in cattle mobility and lameness began early in her career and continued to grow during nearly a decade in clinical, predominantly dairy, practice. In 2014, Sara left full-time practice in order to focus purely on this area. She now provides educational programmes and consultancy services to agri-businesses on the subject of cattle lameness; including farmers, national organisations and commercial companies. A specific area of interest is foot trimming and realising the need for a more evidence-based approach to preventive cattle foot trimming, she began a PhD on this subject with the University of Nottingham in 2017. Sara also holds the RCVS Certificate in Cattle Health and Production, the Diploma in Bovine Reproduction and is an RCVS Recognised Specialist in Cattle Health and Production.

Alan Robinson is a vet who owned a successful mixed practice for 20 years before forming Vet Dynamics. Its mission: help independent practices improve performance and achieve more from life in practice. Eighteen years on, Alan has worked with 600+ practices and is a recognised speaker and trusted educator to the veterinary profession.

Vet Dynamics help practice owners realise their full potential in business and practice management. Through data analysis, mentoring, and business CPD, Vet Dynamics empower teams to learn, grow and be happy. Running an efficient, profitable business allows practice owners to deliver quality veterinary care and live a better quality of life.

Kate is a past President of the World Equine Veterinary Association (WEVA), a member of the Victorian Racing Integrity board for the three codes (Thoroughbred racing, Standardbred racing and Greyhound racing), and manager at Southpaws Specialty Animal Hospital in Australia. She is an equine internal medicine specialist and is interested in sport horses and their health, competitive viability and welfare in competition. She worked as an equine internal medicine specialist for all teams at the Olympics (Hong Kong/Beijing). Kate has a great interest in the welfare of all equids and has been the Oceanic board member of the World Equine Veterinary Association since 2007.

Cecilia obtained her veterinary degree in 2000, and her PhD in animal nutrition in 2005 from the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB). She worked as a post-doctoral researcher in feline nutrition at the University of California, Davis, where she also completed a residency in small animal clinical nutrition at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. She is board certified in veterinary nutrition by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition (ACVN) and by the European College of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition (ECVCN) since 2010, and is president of ECVCN since 2016. She was an adjunct professor at the Departament de Ciencia Animal i dels Aliments (UAB) and the chief of service of the UAB teaching hospital nutrition service from 2010 to 2016. After working as faculty at the Nutrition Support Service at University of California Davis for one year she now a consultant in clinical nutrition for Expert Pet Nutrition (www.expertpetnutrition.com) and Veterinary Information Network (VIN). She is a member of the WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee and has written several articles and book chapters on the topic of companion animal nutrition.

Mary Wade is the head nurse and hospital manager at Anlgesey Lodge Equine Hospital, the Curragh, Kildare with the last seventeen years.  Mary has a degree in equine science from the University of Limerick and a veterinary nursing diploma from University College Dublin. Prior to joining Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital, Mary worked on stud farms and showjumping yards in Ireland, America, Australia and Germany. Mary’s special interest is in foals and intensive care.