Vet Voices On Air

Veterinary Voices UK
Vet Voices On Air

The team at Veterinary Voices discuss topical and controversial issues with key opinion leaders from the veterinary profession. www.vetvoices.co.uk

  1. NOV 3

    An introspective discussion about EDI in the veterinary profession

    Navaratnam Partheeban BVM&S BSc MRCVS OBE, (known as Theeb), co-founder British Veterinary Ethnicity and Diversity Society (BVEDS) brings a varied background of clinical farm practice and industry including research and pharmaceuticals and a wealth of knowledge and fascination with equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the veterinary profession, alongside our very own Ami Sawran BVSc PgCertVPS CertAVP(CP) PhD FRCVS making this a must-listen podcast! Join us as we reflect on what EDI really means, and the importance of personal introspection to consider our individual privileges and barriers to then appreciate the privileges and barriers of those around us, and how they may affect equality, diversity and inclusivity of the veterinary profession. Though the veterinary profession and agricultural sector is improving, we are still a very un-diverse population, which needs to be recognised. We discuss simple inclusive language changes as well as easy ways to connect with clients, particularly on farm or in ambulatory practice, a technique that can help minimise the differences we may otherwise have. Sexism is still the most reported type of discrimination both across the board and in veterinary practice, despite the feminisation of the workforce. We talk about how this can be prevented through communication, self-education and allyship. Allyship can mean different things in different scenarios. It may not always be safe to speak out, but small changes with trusted peers and loved ones, conversations with clients and good leadership are some of them. Tune in to find out more! Want to know more? Check out the Agdiversity online awareness course for EDI by following this link: https://www.nuffieldscholar.org/agdiversity

    46 min
  2. OCT 6

    Bereavement: How the Loss of an Animal Companion can Impact Us.

    In this podcast we hear Carrie Kearns, a Pet Bereavement Councillor, passionately advocate for those experiencing pet bereavement. In conversation with Robyn Lowe and Danny Chambers, who bring their experiences of small animal and equine euthanasia’s, Carrie Kearns ACC Dip PBC, MHS provides compassionate insight into owner experience after pet loss giving useful tips and advice to support our clients through animal euthanasia, including making the decision, the actual procedure and coping afterwards. We discuss subjects such as disenfranchised grief, where society doesn’t allow us to validate our grief and how this can relate to losing our animals. We have a unique and special co-dependent relationship with our pets and part of ownership is a caregiving role, ensuring their needs are met, often bringing us closer together. We talk about approaching the decision to euthanise an animal, and how we as members of the veterinary team can support owners so they do not feel alone in this. We also cover simple tips like dressing a catheter can make a big difference to owner experience. Tune in to hear more! Carrie also highlights her role as a pet bereavement councillor, and how she may be able to assist both clients and veterinary staff. Carrie is a member of the newly launched Association of Pet Bereavement Councillors: a self-regulating body setup to acknowledge the relevance and value of pet bereavement councillors, who can provide niche client support. To become an accredited member, individuals must fulfil specific criteria, and they are listed with details of their location and credentials, so clients can pick a councillor tailored to their needs. Please follow the following link to view this: https://apbcounsellors.co.uk/find-a-counsellor

    43 min
  3. SEP 22

    What's the latest on neurodiversity within our profession?

    This podcast needs to be next up on your playlist! Listen in to Robyn Lowe in conversation with Kirstie Pickles, as she shares both evidence-based and personal insight on the topic of neurodiversity within the veterinary profession. In open and candid conversation, Kirstie Pickles BVMS MSc PgCert(CounsSkills) PhD CertEM(IntMed) DipECEIM MRCVS describes her own later-in-life diagnosis of autism and her mental health journey before and after this. As many as 1 in 6 of us are thought to be neurodivergent, making it imperative for us as a profession to be educated and aware, to be best placed to support those experiencing neurodiversity and allow them to thrive in practice. Through her research, Kirstie found the lack of awareness of neurodiversity amongst colleagues was one of the most commonly reported stressors. To address this finding, Kirstie and a large team at Vetlife has developed a free veterinary-specific neurodiversity guidance detailing information about different neurodivergent conditions and explaining how neurodivergent individuals both may excel and face challenges within veterinary practice and how we can implement reasonable adjustments in the workplace.  Yo can view it by following this link:  https://www.vetlife.org.uk/neurodiversity/ This podcast discusses the new Vetlife Neurodiversity guidance and more. We touch on the communication mismatch between neurotypical and neurodiverse individuals, the importance of being open and non-judgmental of behaviours in the workplace. We talk about how the stigma that surrounds neurodiversity at management level is the biggest reason for individuals not to seek help, having a negative impact on their mental health. It is jam-packed with useful, practical advice. For further help and information, Kirstie is founder of unedited minds, which provides neurodiversity awareness training for organisations and coaching for neurodivergent individuals:  https://uneditedminds.co.uk Some more links for support include:  The National Autism Society: https://www.autism.org.uk/ The Brain Charity: https://www.thebraincharity.org.uk/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwnqK1BhBvEiwAi7o0Xw7-bl52jxdQAZszrGTLX7vez0Dy65DkeV-NNKvTVD-rnwzOo7pCqhoCjsYQAvD_BwE The British Dyslexia Association: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/  ADHD UK: https://adhduk.co.uk/

    33 min
  4. SEP 5

    The Latest on the Bluetongue Virus Serotype 3 (BTV-3) Outbreak

    Join Ami Sawran and Robyn Lowe on 04.09.24 for some update information on the most recent BTV-3 outbreaks. In this podcast we discuss historical Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Bluetongue virus surveillance and frameworks put in place to plan interventions and strategies for the next BTV outbreak, and how the current outbreak fits with what we expected. Ami Sawran BVSc PgCertVPS CertAVP(CP) PhD FRCVS, explains the current restricted zones in East Anglia and the unexpected outbreak in Yorkshire and how the 2 different scenarios (expected/ unexpected) will be handled. For up to date and clear representation of this, please see the APHA interactive Bluetongue virus map: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=514ec88edec74575958d860f0196d2ea How sheep, cattle and camelids present with BTV-3 is discussed, including the high incidence of lameness. For more information on this please follow the link to an In Practice article: https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/inpr.429 Take home messages: ·     If in doubt report it! ·     Restricted areas include Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex ·     20km restriction zone around Yorkshire outbreak ·     As BTV is circulating the UK midge population, culling is NO longer necessary ·     Treat the animal with supportive medicine including pain relief ·     Check the APHA or ring their helpline for advice ·     3 unauthorised vaccines in the pipeline, if you are interested in trialling them please get in touch  Where can I find support? https://ruminanthw.org.uk/bluetongue-virus/ BTV hotline: 024 7771 0386 (chose APHA option) https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/bluetongue-information-and-guidance-for-livestock-keepers

    27 min
  5. AUG 25

    Shhh let’s talk menopause… LOUDLY

    In frank conversation, Liz Barton and Ami Sawran discuss the “hot” topic of the menopause. Do you think this podcast won’t apply to you? Think again! Every single one of us will be impacted by menopause, whether it be ourselves or our partners, colleagues and clients. So, let’s get these menopause facts on the table. Normalise it to break the taboo surrounding it. Did you know there are 34 listed symptoms? This makes the menopause a unique experience for all. 75% of people will experience perimenopausal symptoms that will negatively impact them, lasting on average a whole decade. Liz Barton MA VetMB MRCVS, co-founder of Wellvet and Vetmums and Head of Communications for VetCT describes how for her the menopause was a crouching tiger, hidden dragon, affecting her veterinary career when she wasn’t expecting it. With Veterinary Voices’ very own Ami Sawran BVSc CertAVP PGCert VPS PhD MRCVS, this podcast discusses the experiences of menopause for women in the profession and the impact it has on the profession through mental health and retention issues.   We talk about the positive adjustments that can be made in the veterinary workplace and Liz provides details about the first veterinary-specific menopause resources that are now freely available online through Wellvet. Let’s feed this tiger and let it sit quietly in the corner! Please see free Veterinary-specific resources on: https://www.wellvet.co.uk/resources/menopause-resources-for-veterinary-teams/

    31 min

About

The team at Veterinary Voices discuss topical and controversial issues with key opinion leaders from the veterinary profession. www.vetvoices.co.uk

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.

Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada