LUVS talk: Nigel Gibbens, UK's Chief Veterinary Officer
On Monday the 5th of February 2018, we were incredibly lucky to have Nigel Gibbens, the (now-ex) UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer, come and give a talk on how the veterinary profession has changed in the last 10 years and how he predicts it will change in the future. The talk had something for everyone, whether that be a discussion into the UK’s TB problem, the issues surrounding puppy farming or the vote against an amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill that sought to recognise animal sentience in legislation. It was great to see such a well worded debate from many of our LUVS members so thanks for coming along, and thank you to Nigel for coming to speak to us!
October 2017
October was a great month of talks, starting with a FAVS talk on Grass Based Block Calving over in Liverpool. BEVA organised a talk on Sarcoids and LUVZS had a guest speaker to give a talk titled Save the African Elephant. Sarah Health and Royal Canin also put on a talk at Leahurst on nutrition related dog behaviour which was well attended and enjoyed by all. A big thank you to all our guest speakers for a successful month of talks!
Leahurst Clinical Club: First years in practice Q&A
Our first Leahurst Clinical Club of 2017/18 went well, with a Q & A on First years in practice by XL vets; Sam Bowker and Chris Jones from Willows Vet Group. They answered all our questions on first years in practice including;
- What do you wish you had been told before your first year in practice?
- How do we work out if a practice is any good for us at interview if we haven't been on placement?
- Internships - are they useful? And what are the benefits/negatives of ambulatory vs hospital?
LUVS talk: Sean Wensley, former BVA President on Brexit: how it will affect the veterinary profession
LUVS were thrilled to invite former Liverpool graduate, Sean Wensley back to Liverpool to talk to us about the ever contentious topic of Brexit. We had a fantastic turnout of just under 200 people to listen to how the BVA will support the future generations of vets as well as those non-UK vets who have provided the UK with years of dedicated work, teaching and research. In a time of such uncertainty it was great to hear how whatever the outcome of the coming years legislations, BVA will continue to maintain strong relations with the rest of the EU and keep us all informed of how it will affect us in our careers. Thanks very much Sean for coming!
VDS- 'Your First Years in Practice: Love Affair or Law Suit?'
This talk showcased some of the most unlikely, entertaining and bizarre mistakes that recent graduates have made over the years, and their repercussions; while showing our students just how unlikely it is that they will make such errors! Big thank you to the VDS for putting on such an interesting talk!
LUVS Talk on 'Dangerous Dogs' with AWF Chairman Chris Laurence
With the start of the second term brought the opportunity for our second big LUVS talk of the year and this time we were delighted to invite the Chairman of AWF (Animal Welfare Foundation), Chris Laurence to talk to us about 'Dangerous Dogs'. With the recent change in legislation governing ‘Dangerous dogs’, we thought it would be brilliant to approach such a topical issue during a LUVS talk and it just so happens that you couldn’t find someone much better qualified to give the talk than Chris! Understandably, the talk proved extremely popular with a huge turnout of around 120 students and not a seat left empty in the lecture theatre.
Chris initiated the talk by introducing the AWF and explaining their various roles in student communication and debates as well as their input into research through their own studies and those which they provide grants and funding for. Chris then explained to us that genetics are not the answer to solving how to deal with dangerous dogs but to educate our clients on how to interact with and train their dogs properly. The evening was concluded by a case study session in which 3 LUVS members acted out a scene from a vet practice whereby a supposedly aggressive dog was brought in to the vets. It was then put to the audience members to discuss and decide how best to deal with the situation, thinking not only about the dogs welfare but also of the clients emotional involvement. This encouraged us to think clinically and apply what we were learning to situations that we have previously seen on work placements. It also made us all realise how important it is to keep up to date with legislation throughout our veterinary careers! Overall, the talk was a huge success and we are very grateful to Chris and the whole team at the AWF for providing us this opportunity. We look forward to welcoming back the AWF in future for further debates!
Chris initiated the talk by introducing the AWF and explaining their various roles in student communication and debates as well as their input into research through their own studies and those which they provide grants and funding for. Chris then explained to us that genetics are not the answer to solving how to deal with dangerous dogs but to educate our clients on how to interact with and train their dogs properly. The evening was concluded by a case study session in which 3 LUVS members acted out a scene from a vet practice whereby a supposedly aggressive dog was brought in to the vets. It was then put to the audience members to discuss and decide how best to deal with the situation, thinking not only about the dogs welfare but also of the clients emotional involvement. This encouraged us to think clinically and apply what we were learning to situations that we have previously seen on work placements. It also made us all realise how important it is to keep up to date with legislation throughout our veterinary careers! Overall, the talk was a huge success and we are very grateful to Chris and the whole team at the AWF for providing us this opportunity. We look forward to welcoming back the AWF in future for further debates!
LUVS Double Header:
Peer Support Stress talk and RSPCA Vets' involvement in prosecutions
Firstly, we had a talk from Tina Usherwood who is behind the fantastic peer support team we have here at Liverpool Vet School. The talk was all about coping with stress. Stress is an enormous issue that can be associated with the difficult and time-consuming course followed by a challenging career. There was some much appreciated help and advice on the issue, something that we all need at some point as Vets and students.
Then, after some pizza and drinks all funded by the AVS (thanks guys!) we have a talk from David Bowles, a spokesperson for the RSPCA on how vets interact with the charity and are involved in RSPCA prosecutions. It's something that none of us want to be involved in in years to come, but giving expert witness information is something that so many vets have to do and it was extremely interesting and insightful to be given more information as to how that process goes ahead.
Then, after some pizza and drinks all funded by the AVS (thanks guys!) we have a talk from David Bowles, a spokesperson for the RSPCA on how vets interact with the charity and are involved in RSPCA prosecutions. It's something that none of us want to be involved in in years to come, but giving expert witness information is something that so many vets have to do and it was extremely interesting and insightful to be given more information as to how that process goes ahead.
An evening with Noel Fitzpatrick
In April we held an evening with Professor Noel Fitzpatrick, better known as the 'Supervet'.
There was a fantastic turn out for what turned out to be a very inspirational and interesting evening. Thank you to all who attended and to our sponsors for making it possible.
Fox Hunting - A Debate
This debate was lead by David Bowles of the RSPCA and Jim Barrington of the VAWM on the 15th October. It allowed us all to get an insight into the two sides of the fox hunting debate, while allowing us to have our say too in the questions which followed.
Life as an Army Vet
A massive thank you to our speakers for making the journey to talk to us. A fantastic evening giving a great insight into life as an Army Vet, how to get involved and truly highlighting what a great career option this is, definitely not something to overlook!
LUVS Presents a debate on the badger culls and solving the TB crisis
One of our most contentious topics of the year! The motion was "Regional badger culls are necessary as part of an eradication scheme for Bovine TB (Mycobacterium bovis)". We had two superb speakers: from the Animal Welfare Foundation we had BVA President Robin Hargreaves to support the motion and RSPCA Spokesperson David Bowles to oppose it.
Both speakers were excellent and we really appreciate the time they gave up to come and talk. The evening was interesting and gave rise to many talking points, the main conclusion being that there is no easy solution to the problem! All topics from efficiency, humaneness, safety and politics of the culls were debated and different views bought forward. An insightful evening.
Both speakers were excellent and we really appreciate the time they gave up to come and talk. The evening was interesting and gave rise to many talking points, the main conclusion being that there is no easy solution to the problem! All topics from efficiency, humaneness, safety and politics of the culls were debated and different views bought forward. An insightful evening.
Medication of the Competition horse - all you need to know
With Dr Colin Roberts, BVSc MA PhD FRCVS.
On 20th November 2015 Dr Colin Roberts of Cambridge University Vet School visited the Central Teaching Hub to talk to over 100 LUVS members about Veterinary Work at International Horse Shows. Dr Roberts dealt with the multiple roles of vets at horse shows and how one gets into working at them. He then went on to discuss medication issues in competition horses: what is and is not prohibited, how one should treat horses at international competitions and how competition regulations influence treatment at home. He also discussed how we go about testing horses for prohibited substances and briefly outlined the differences between testing at International and National level. This was followed by half an hour of intense questioning (which unearthed some fabulous anecdotes) and a charity raffle. The whole evening, including some great raffle prizes, was kindly sponsored by BEVA.
On 20th November 2015 Dr Colin Roberts of Cambridge University Vet School visited the Central Teaching Hub to talk to over 100 LUVS members about Veterinary Work at International Horse Shows. Dr Roberts dealt with the multiple roles of vets at horse shows and how one gets into working at them. He then went on to discuss medication issues in competition horses: what is and is not prohibited, how one should treat horses at international competitions and how competition regulations influence treatment at home. He also discussed how we go about testing horses for prohibited substances and briefly outlined the differences between testing at International and National level. This was followed by half an hour of intense questioning (which unearthed some fabulous anecdotes) and a charity raffle. The whole evening, including some great raffle prizes, was kindly sponsored by BEVA.
Halal Debate
Debate: 'The Kennel Club has a positive impact on canine health in the UK"
We had a fantastic evening where we hosted Steve Dean, chairman of the Kennel Club and Chris Laurence, Animal Welfare Foundation and former RSPCA Chief Vet. The pros and cons of what the Kennel Club have to offer and how they are improving were tackled head on. It's a huge issue within the veterinary field and other small animal welfare issues, such as puppy farms, were discussed at length too. A big thank you to the AWF and the Kennel Club for their help and support.
Raw Diet and Nutrition Talk
Described as a 'raucous' debate on a new fad in pet nutrition, speakers from Natures Menu pet food and practising vets in support of the product came to speak to a theatre of LUVS members.
Discussion and debate flowed for the entire evening on the use and importance of raw food, practicality of the product and whether evidence based medicine is essential in veterinary practice.
Discussion and debate flowed for the entire evening on the use and importance of raw food, practicality of the product and whether evidence based medicine is essential in veterinary practice.
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