The VET Festival has announced a world-class line up of speakers for the two-day conference taking place at The University of Surrey in Guildford on the 5th and 6th September. 

The organisers say that the presentations have been designed to be practical in nature and to provide delegates with useful, take-away information they can apply immediately in practice and that isn’t readily available in textbooks.

Forty-eight presentations will be staged over the two-days across four themed lecture strands: three for vets and a dedicated strand for Veterinary Nurses, although delegates are free to attend any lecture they choose.

The core themes for vets include Orthopaedics, Neurology and Oncology and Soft Tissue Surgery. The Veterinary Nursing strand will cover topics such as Anaesthesia, Arthritis, Cancer, Trauma, Spinal Nursing, Pain Management, Rehabilitation and Nutritional Advice.  

Presentations include:

  • “A practical approach to problem recognition and management during anaesthesia – how to prevent a crisis” – By Colin Dunlop, Director Advanced Anaesthesia Specialists, Gladesville, NSW, Australia
  • “A practical approach to perioperative pain management in everyday clinical practice” – by Duncan Lascelles, Prof of Surgery & Pain Management, North Carolina State University of Veterinary Medicine, USA
  • “A practical approach to challenging wounds for the oncologic surgeon” – by Jolle Kirpensteijn Chief Professional Relation Officer, Hill’s Pet Nutrition
  • “Treatment of canine cruciate disease – what works & what doesn’t – what would you do if it was your dog?” - by Ian G Holsworth, Director Vetsburg Small Animal Hospital, Ventura, California, USA
  • “My approach to understanding neck and lower back pain – all you ever wanted to know” – by Nick Jeffrey, Professor Neurology and Neurosurgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, USA

An overarching theme for the festival is ‘One Medicine’, the emerging global concept of combined human and animal medical advancement for the good of all species; Noel Fitzpatrick will give a keynote speech on Saturday 5th September on this subject.

On Sunday 6th September, the closing keynote speech will be delivered by Dr Jane Goodall DBE who will talk about her work as a British Ethologist, conservationist and UN Messenger of Peace and the importance of preserving habitats, species and biodiversity to the continuance of mankind.

A full speaker agenda is available at www.vetfestival.co.uk and attendance at the Festival can be added to delegates’ CPD records.

On Saturday evening, the Festival will host ONE LIVE, a music festival open to delegates, their families and the general public in aid of The Humanimal Trust, a charity inspiring advancement of healthcare initiatives in animals at the same time as humans. Headlining the concert will be Mike and The Mechanics with support from The Hoosiers and Hunter and The Bear.

Tickets for VET Festival cost from £99. There are discounted rates available for Veterinary Nurses and Students and groups of five or more vets or vet nurses can receive a group discount.  For more information and to book tickets visit www.vetfestival.co.uk 

PS: Whilst you're here, take a moment to see our latest job opportunities for vet nurses.