VETchat by The Webinar Vet

Joining Anthony for this episode of VETchat by The Webinar Vet are Jacob Adams, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Noxsano, and Mandy Wallace, Associate Professor of Small Animal Surgery at the University of Georgia. Noxsano's product Restore are smart wound dressings that supply nitric oxide, the key natural mediator in the healing process, in an easy-to-use veterinary wound dressing.

In this episode, Jacob shares his background and reasoning for starting Noxsano, and Mandy shares her background as a Veterinarian and how she helps get involved with the company. They discuss the creation process of the product, such as noticing how closing chronic wounds had little help with healing and then finding a way to deliver nitric oxide to wounds. They cover how the product works, example cases, and what scenarios it is useful for. Anthony also enquires about the products use on horses, future studies for use on reptiles, and other products being added to the Noxsano line.

Joining Anthony for this episode of our sustainability series on VETchat by The Webinar Vet is Mauricio Porras, Co-founder and chief Mobilization Officer at HERO. HERO is the first membership platform that provides finance and capacity-building support to climate mobilizers: advocates, experts and campaigners working on a particular climate policy area. Rather than supporting only individuals, HERO supports groups of mobilizers working together, termed Circles. Circles specialize in a policy topic and geographical region.

In this episode, Anthony and Mauricio discuss the climate crisis and the HERO Circle App. Mauricio explains what HERO does and why funding climate activists is so important. They discuss how sustainability targets are a collective effort, the impact that fossil fuel companies currently have on our climate, and the politicisation of climate views. They also mention examples such as the current Rosebank oil field issues in the UK.

Joining Anthony for this episode of VETchat by The Webinar Vet are Lydia Brown, Veterinarian and Former President of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, and Brian Powers, Executive Director of the International Centre for Moral Injury at Durham University.

In this episode, they cover the topic of Moral Injury. Brian talks about his background in the US Military and explains what moral injury is. They discuss PTSD vs. moral injury, situations where moral injury can happen in the veterinary profession, moral injury during the pandemic and moral injury in a sustainability context. Lydia shares her own experiences and how she helped to set up the International Centre for Moral Injury at Durham University, where Brian is currently based. The centre is looking to bring together all sorts of professions for research into moral injury and they discuss how the vets should consider it as an academic discipline to follow.

Joining Anthony for this episode of VETchat by The Webinar Vet is Owen Atkinson, Dairy Vet and Owner & Director at Dairy Veterinary Consultancy Ltd.

In this episode, Anthony and Owen discuss the topic of dairy farming. Owen shares his personal background of becoming a vet, as well as the history of veterinarians as a whole. They talk about how the original veterinarians were mostly equine focused and how that landscape has changed today. Owen explains his term 'Vet 3.0', which outlines how he sees the future of vets and farmers working more collaboratively to create better work environments and improve farm sustainability. They also cover topics such as; the reduction of antibiotic use in dairy farming, whether funded government schemes are actually working, and the change they are seeing in the profession. Anthony also asks Owen his opinion of which method of farming is the most sustainable.

Joining Anthony for this episode of our sustainability series on VETchat by The Webinar Vet is Jeannet Kessels, Chair of VFCA (Vets For Climate Action).

In this episode, Anthony and Jeannet discuss sustainability and the work of VFCA. Jeannet talks about her career to date and how she came to be a part of VFCA. They discuss some of the key concerns that they are facing in Australia, including; extinctions, one health, animal welfare and biosecurity concerns. Moreover, Jeannet explains VFCA's three pillar approach: Education, Collaboration and Acting as trusted advisors. Other topics such as biodiversity loss, managing our purchase trails, and analogies are also covered throughout this episode.

Joining Anthony for this episode of VETchat by The Webinar Vet is Mark Johnston, CEO of Vetstream and Founder & Director of Vets in Mind. Vets in Mind is a not for profit organisation which aims to be a source of quality information about mental health and wellness for the veterinary market, providing information from credible sources, case studies from our profession and to signpost people to programmes run by various associations, organizations, charities and support groups around the world for all members of the veterinary market whether they are in practice, academia or companies and charities in the veterinary market.

In this episode, Anthony and Mark discuss mental health and burnout in the profession. Mark shares his background as a vet and his experience of burnout in practice, which ultimately led to a change of direction in his career into academia. They talk about how intense the veterinary profession is, ways to balance it and how personality tests can help us better understand ourselves and what jobs we may enjoy. Mark introduces Vets In Mind, explaining how they created an app to be used as a resource centre, to offer help assessing what level of help you may be needing at the time and then signposting where you can access it.

Joining Anthony for this episode of VETchat by The Webinar Vet is Crystal Stokes, Evidence-Based Psychotherapist & Consultant, Founder & Managing Director of Full Circle Lab, and Executive Producer &Host of Vet Med Wellness & Leadership Podcast.

In this episode, Anthony and Crystal cover a wide range of topics on the crucial subject of mental wellbeing within the veterinary profession. Crystal opens up about her journey, from initially training to join the veterinary field to ultimately embracing a new career path as a psychotherapist and coach. She explains what her company 'Full Circle Lab' does, and how it helps bridge the gap between leadership and their teams by focusing on team retention and individual coaching. The two of them talk about the importance of having a good onboarding in your company to ensure newcomers feel welcomed into the environment, they cover the topic of stress and the different forms it takes, and also share tips on how to deal with anxiety.

This VETChat episode is part of our series on supporting and empowering women in veterinary, hosted by Kathryn Bell. Joining Kathryn today is Keisha Swaby, author of ‘Empowering Dyslexics - Blessed and gifted,’ a powerful book to educate, inspire and create more awareness. Not only that, she's an international inspirational speaker and proudly finds herself in the esteemed Top 50 Influential Neurodivergent Women Northern Power Women Future List, part of the WeAreTheCity 100 List!

In this episode, Kathryn and Keisha discuss Keisha's mission to inspire, educate, empower and create more awareness of Dyslexia and Dyspraxia. Keisha shares her personal journey with dyslexia, from her difficulties during childhood to her diagnosis at 41 years old. They discuss what dyslexia really is and address the common challenges faced by dyslexics, providing insights into navigating through academia and daily life with it. Keisha explains the importance of knowing your strengths as someone with dyslexia and sheds light on the support systems available for those who suspect they may have dyslexia.

Joining Anthony for this episode of VETchat by The Webinar Vet is Lennon Foo, a passionate Veterinary Surgeon, Founder of Amity Vets, and accomplished Author.

In this episode, Anthony and Lennon delve into the journey behind the establishment of Amity Vets, where Lennon's vision of enhancing the client experience by dedicating more time and attention is at the heart of his practice. They explore the importance of job satisfaction, leading to the introduction of Lennon's new book, 'Vet For Life.' Discover key themes like thriving in the veterinary world, preventing burnout, and valuable tips for a fulfilling veterinary career. So, whether you're a seasoned practitioner or a budding veterinary enthusiast, join us in this captivating episode as we uncover the secrets to a rewarding and lasting journey as a Vet For Life.

Joining Anthony for this episode of VETchat by The Webinar Vet is Hans Spoodler, Senior Animal Welfare scientist at Wageningen University & Research and HealthyLivestock Project Coordinator.

In this episode, Anthony and Hans delve into the fascinating journey of Hans's career and the birth of the HealthyLivestock project. Discover the project's mission - a research programme to study the contributions of enhanced animal health and welfare on reducing the need to use antimicrobials in pigs and poultry. Hans talks about China's involvement, the promising collaboration between vets and animal scientists, and the potential need for changes in breeding methods. They also touch on consumer preferences for better meat quality and welfare, and the challenges of husbandry in extensive farming. So, if you're curious about the future of animal agriculture, this episode is a must-listen for you! Don't miss out on this engaging conversation that highlights the crucial intersection of research, sustainability, and compassion in the livestock industry.

Joining Anthony for this episode of VETchat is Julie Wood, Pet Grief Expert, Clinical Hypnotherapist and Performance Coach.

In this episode, Anthony and Julie discuss her background as a Clinical Hypnotherapist and Performance Coach, Grief Counsellor and what led her to become a pet grief expert. They talk about the importance of using correct language as veterinarians to help ease the grieving process for clients, Julie gives tips further tips on how to make euthanasia experiences easier and explains the process of her hypnotherapy.

Joining Anthony for this episode of VETchat is Gillian Dank, Veterinary Oncologist and Chief Veterinary Officer at HT BioImaging.

In this follow-up episode, Anthony and Gillian once again discuss HT Vet's tool HT Vista. HT Vista is the first non-invasive medical device that allows veterinarians to rule out cancer of subcutaneous and dermal masses at the clinic in a fast and affordable way. Gillian shares some information about the results of a survey they completed asking general practitioners about how often they saw masses, how often they did further investigations and how confident they felt in diagnosing masses. They also discuss the importance of cytology and what may be influencing how often it is used, how HT Vista can be used by Veterinary Technicians, and how they are attending ECVIM-CA in September.

This VETChat episode is part of our series on supporting and empowering women in veterinary, hosted by Kathryn Bell. Joining Kathryn today is Katie Ford, Vet Empowered Founder & Coach.

In this episode, Kathryn and Katie have a very open and honest discussion about the topic of navigating grief. Katie shares her personal journey with grief following the death of her dad in 2021 and offers some advice to those who may be going through similar experiences. Katie explains how her perception of grief has changed, shares some of the common misconceptions associated with grief, and provides us with some of the resources that have helped her navigate the last 18 months.

Joining Anthony for this episode of VETchat is Shereen Williams, Global Animal Health Advisor (Vet) at Brooke, Action For Working Horses and Donkeys.

In this episode, Anthony and Shereene discuss livestock medicines, and Brooke's new challenge, alongside WVA, to create the first ever global list of essential veterinary medicines for livestock. Shereene shares Brooke's history as a charity, what they do and the countries they work in, as well as giving a bit of history on her own career to date. They discuss the research Brooke has been doing on what medicines different countries have access to, and how this is hindering the level of veterinary care that some countries can achieve. Finally, Shereene explains how this new global list of essential veterinary medicines for livestock will offer guidance to help ensure countries have the range of medicines they need.

This VETChat episode is part of our series on supporting and empowering women in veterinary, hosted by Kathryn Bell. Joining Kathryn today is Tara Ghosh, Menstrual Health Educator, passionate about creating a positive period story right from the start.

In this episode, Kathryn and Tara discuss menstrual health and cycles. Tara talks us through the basics of what menstrual cycles are, the biology behind our hormones and symptoms, and explains why women do not suit a 24-hour cycle. They discuss how different phases of our menstrual cycle can relate to our mood and how we can best use the different phases to our advantage when it comes to activity selection and working styles.

Joining Anthony for this episode of VETchat is Robin Smith, CEO and Founder of Numnuts. Numnuts provide targeted pain relief for tail docking and castration of sheep with a rubber ring. It’s an easy-to-use ring applicator, combined with an injector that dispenses NumOcaine anaesthetic.

In this episode, Anthony and Robin discuss Robin's career to date, why he started Numnuts, and what the product does. Anthony asks questions about the tool, such as how often the needle needs replacing and how long the local anaesthetic lasts. Finally, Robin shares how much the product has been used so far and the process of it coming to the UK market.

This VETChat episode is part of our series on supporting and empowering women in veterinary, hosted by Kathryn Bell. Joining Kathryn today is Laura Playforth, Group Quality Improvement Director at IVC Evidensia and advocate for neurodiversity in the veterinary profession.

In this episode, Kathryn and Laura discuss neurodiversity in the veterinary profession. Laura explains what neurodiversity is, shares the story of her own diagnosis journey, and expresses the importance of raising awareness. They discuss key points such as; what veterinary teams can do to better recognise and support colleagues who might be neurodivergent, practical tips for veterinary practices to create a more inclusive environment for neurodivergent employees, and how to communicate with clients who may process information differently due to neurodiversity. Moreover, Laura also shares some tips for someone who may be thinking of pursuing a diagnosis.

Joining Anthony for this episode of VETchat is Gemma Campling, CEO and Founder of Worldwide Vets.

In this episode, Anthony and Gemma discuss how Gemma set up Worldwide Vets when she was still just a student, what it is that Worldwide Vets do, what countries they are currently helping in, and how to get involved. Gemma shares her experience of working in Ukraine after evacuations left many animals abandoned, and she also explains what they are doing in Costa Rica to help with conservation and wildlife there.

This VETChat episode is part of our series on supporting and empowering women in veterinary, hosted by Kathryn Bell. Joining Kathryn today is Ebony Escalona, Founder of Vets Stay Go Diversify & Melanie Barham, CEO of Vets Stay Go Diversify

In this episode, Kathryn, Ebony and Melanie discuss mentoring in the Vet Profession with a particular focus on female mentors. They discuss what mentoring is, the importance of having female mentors, and what makes a good mentor. They also share tips on what questions to ask mentors in order to get the most out of the relationship, and stress the idea that anyone can be a mentor!

Joining Anthony for this episode of VETchat is Jenny Guyat, Founder of Vet Harmony Ltd. And Co-Founder at Lilypod.

In this episode, Anthony and Jenny discuss Jenny's career to date. Ranging from her struggles with burnout in veterinary practice, to starting her coaching career, to setting up Vet Harmony, and to her latest endeavour with setting up Lilypod. Jenny shares lots of information on Lilypod, a sustainable floating pod that you can book for your next escape. They discuss the 10-year-long process of developing the pod, how sustainability is at its forefront, and the amazing benefits to mental health it brings.

Use the discount code VETCHAT10 for 10% off your stay at Lilypod

Joining Anthony for this episode of VETchat is Hugo Richardson, Director at Nordic Locums.

In this episode, Anthony and Hugo discuss locuming in Scandinavia. Hugo gives an introduction to himself and his career to date, sharing his experience of being a Locum in both Norway and Sweden and eventually what led to him setting up Nordic Locums. They talk about the work-life culture in Scandinavia and what sort of experience you can expect if you move there for a temporary or permanent role. Hugo shares who Nordic Locums are and how they can help you. He also answers some key questions such as accommodation, language barriers, and what experience level the clinics are looking for.

This VETChat episode is part of our series on supporting and empowering women in veterinary, hosted by Kathryn Bell. Joining Kathryn today is Malcolm Morley, President of the BVA (British Veterinary Association).

In this episode, Kathryn and Malcolm discuss the topic of male allies and promoting gender equality in the veterinary profession. Malcolm talks us through the BVA study with the University of Exeter on gender discrimination, he explains what allyship is, and how there may be unintentional bias in practice such as the language used. They discuss how important it is to create equity in the profession, ensuring there is inclusion for all, and making sure that we are calling things out with kindness. Finally, Malcolm also shares tips on how to improve practice culture to create a safe space to have these conversations, and where to find more resources.

Joining Anthony for this episode of VETchat is Jade Statt, Co-Founder of StreetVet, a vet-led registered Charity offering free accessible vet care to the homeless and their dogs at street level.

In this episode, Anthony and Jade discuss Jade's career to date, the process of setting up Street Vet, and some of the challenges she faced when doing so. They also discuss the bonds between humans and their pets and the benefits of volunteering. Finally, Jade talks about her ambition to source pet damages insurance to help those who are homeless with pets get into rental properties more easily.

This VETChat episode is part of our series on supporting and empowering women in veterinary, hosted by Kathryn Bell. Joining Kathryn today is Nat Scroggie, Freelance Veterinary Surgeon.

In this episode, Kathryn and Nat talk about the difficult topic of pregnancy and baby loss. Nat shares her personal experience, how it affected her mentally, and her experience with returning to work. She offers advice to those who may be going through a similar situation and also talks about her experience of going through another pregnancy afterwards. Finally, they also discuss the Vet MINDS Facebook group.

Joining Anthony for this episode of VETchat is Melyssa Allen, Veterinary Well-Being Coach, Board Certified Lifestyle Medicine Professional & Founder of Mind-Body-Thrive Lifestyle.

In this episode, Anthony and Melyssa discuss self-care and well-being practices. They talk about ways in which we can protect ourselves from conditions such as burnout, by explaining what is within our control to help better support ourselves. Melyssa explains how small habits can help with positivity, she offers solutions such as keeping a 'smile file' of all your good interactions with clients, and stresses the importance of ensuring you are taking care of yourself so that you can take better care of others. Moreover, Melyssa also shares her 6 pillars of lifestyle medicine and offers 3 easy tips on how to improve lifestyle and positivity within a busy life.

This VETChat episode is part of our series on supporting and empowering women in veterinary, hosted by Kathryn Bell. Joining Kathryn today is Justine Shotton, Senior Vice President at British Veterinary Association.

In this episode, Kathryn and Justine talk about the gender pay gap. They discuss what the gender pay gap is, it's presence in the veterinary profession specifically, and the importance of having an open culture with pay transparency in practice. Justine shares information on surveys/studies completed by SPVS and the University of Exeter on gender discrimination and pay. They also discuss how we can drive change and make a difference moving forward and how we must ensure women are offered equal opportunities to be promoted into leadership positions.

Joining Anthony for this episode of VETchat is Tullis Matson, Managing Director at Stallion AI Services and Founder and Chair of Nature's SAFE.

Joining Anthony for this episode of VETchat are Jessica May, Customer Success Manager at PetsApp; Wolfgang Dohne, Veterinary Surgeon and FECAVA Senior Vice President & Liz Barton, Head Of Communications at VetCT.

In this episode, Anthony and his guests discuss the Virtual Veterinary Care Association's (VVCA) movement into Europe and how it can help shape the future of care in the veterinary profession. Each guest gives a bit of background on themselves and their careers to date, they delve into the history of the VVCA, and they also explain some of the key definitions of telemedicine.

They share the environmental benefits of telemedicine and explore how it breaks down barriers to offer care and education to those in different countries, landscapes, and languages. Moreover, they discuss how telemedicine is making healthcare more inclusive for those who may struggle to be involved in in-person practice work, and how pet owners can use telemedicine to determine the level of urgency of their query.

Joining Anthony for this episode of VETchat is Rebecca Maher, Veterinary Surgeon, Consumer Psychologist and Managing Director at InsideMinds Consulting.

In this episode, Anthony and Rebecca discuss Rebecca's career to date, including what it was that led her to consumer psychology. Rebecca shares some basic information introducing consumer psychology, such as what drives our decision-making for both big and small life decisions. They discuss Rebecca's PGCert, her main thesis work researching whether how we present ourselves as clinicians affects how we are perceived and trusted, and how important it is to have a likeable personality to your clients. Rebecca gives 3 tips on how to help clients make the right decisions for their pets, such as reputability and vocabulary choices. Finally, they also talk about Rebecca's new business InsideMinds Consulting and how they can help those in the veterinary profession have better communication with their clients.

Joining Anthony for this episode of VETchat is Sonya Miles, Exotic Species Veterinary Surgeon & Head Of Department at Highcroft Exotic Vets.

In this episode, Anthony and Sonya discuss whether we are taking our responsibility to fish medicine seriously enough. They talk about the lack of time spent teaching exotics in university, how aquatic species are just as important to their owners as other companion animals pets, and the importance of knowing a basic clinical exam. Sonya also shares the 3 conditions she sees the most in Goldfish and Koi. Finally, Sonya shares her experience in working with the Olive Ridley Project and how important their work is.

Joining Anthony for this episode of VETchat are Jill Moss, Founder of the Bella Moss Foundation, and Tim Nutall, Head of Veterinary Dermatology at Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh.

In this episode, Anthony, Jill and Tim discuss the issue of antimicrobial resistance. Jill shares her personal story that led to her setting up the Bella Moss Foundation, Tim talks about the history of antibiotics and how long we have known about resistance, and they talk about the recent change in perspective on when antibiotics should be used. Tim gives information on other treatment options, and they also talk about the importance of the antibiotic amnesty campaign.

Joining Anthony for this episode of VETchat is Emma Short, Senior Nutritionist at Baileys Horse Feeds.

In this episode, Anthony and Emma discuss who Baileys Horse Feeds are and everything they are doing as a company. Emma shares information on how they produce their food on-site with their own mill, the benefits of production all being in one place, and her career to date. They also talk about the company's ongoing research into the ingredients they use, how education is at the centre of the company, and their involvement with the initiatives such as better beginnings. Moreover, Anthony asks about obesity issues in horses and what some of the company's sustainability efforts are.

Thank you to Baileys Horse Feeds for sponsoring this episode.

This VETChat episode is part of our series on supporting and empowering women in veterinary, hosted by Kathryn Bell. Joining Kathryn today is Jo Keeler, Managing Director of Belbin Ltd.

In this episode, Kathryn and Jo talk about managing teams. Jo shares advice on how a manager can choose the best candidate for the position they want to fill, tips on how to manage a team in a stressful environment, and how to provide employees with varied, adaptable and flexible roles.

Joining Anthony for this episode of VETchat is Gillian Davidson, Founder of Green Place Social and Veterinary Nurse.

In this episode, Anthony and Gillian discuss the magnificent world of social media! They open by discussing the rapid digitalisation of the world, and how the pandemic accelerated this. Gillian shares all sorts of tips on how to use social media to advertise your vet practice, including which platforms to use, knowing your audience, what NOT to be posting, and the rise of video marketing. They also talk about how to use trends to your advantage and how exactly Gillian helps her clients and their business.

Joining Anthony for this episode of VETchat is Peter Vogel, Director Of Business Development at Otter Energy, a solar energy company in Ontario, Canada.

In this episode, Anthony and Peter talk about solar panels and why you should install them in your vet practice. Peter gives an introduction to himself and the company. They discuss whether Canada is facing similar energy problems as the UK, and they reflect on some past government programmes. Peter outlines some benefits of installing solar panels in your home or vet practice, including the economic benefits and the reliability of having the energy to fall back on if something goes wrong with your supply. Finally, they also cover topics such as the advantages of net metering, phasing out coal, and the value of having batteries.