Conference Invited Speakers

“Return, Rehome or PTS- managing difficult decisions in veterinary behavioural medicine.”

Guest speakers include

Dr Karen Heistand BVSc, BSc, MSc
Who will talk on “Return, Rehome or PTS- managing difficult decisions in veterinary behavioural medicine.”

Karen is Lecturer in Veterinary and Animal Ethics. Her main interests lie in exploring facets of human:animal relationships, particularly regarding companion animals, the veterinary-client-patient triad, differing ethical perspectives and societal and individual moral duties towards animals. She also researches animal empathy and has a background in shelter medicine and working with animal welfare charities. She likes cats, a lot.

Wendy Cummins NCert (AnBehav) DipAVN (Surgical) DipAVN (Medical) RVN

Who will talk on "Integrating behaviour into Veterinary Practice"
and "Career Paths for RVNs in Behaviour "

Wendy has over 30 years’ experience working with dogs and cats in the Veterinary and behavioural field. She is a full member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, a Registered Animal Training Instructor (ABTC) and full member of the Canine and Feline Behaviour Association. She holds amongst other certificates the BVNA Certificate in Companion Animal Behaviour, the post-graduate Veterinary Nurse Certificate in Clinical Animal Behaviour and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Advanced Instructors Certificate. Wendy has been on the committee for the British Veterinary Behaviour Association for several years which involves promoting gold standard behaviour training to fellow professionals and pet owners along with helping to organise behaviour talks for other professionals involved in this field of work from all over the world. Wendy is also a director and the treasurer for the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. She lectures to veterinary staff, university students and the public. She has published articles in the Veterinary Press. She regularly attends Behaviour seminars to keep up to date with the latest theories and research. Wendy has always had a keen interest in behaviour and training. She started off working with problem horses, then moved into the canine field  having competed in obedience competitions with her own dogs.