The Practical Skill Centre For Veterinarians

Francisco Silveira MSc PGCert DipECVS MRCVS Small Animal Orthopaedic Surgeon

Fran graduated from the University of Lisbon in 2013, having moved to the UK immediately afterward to pursue specialist training in surgery. After a period in first-opinion practice in East Yorkshire, Fran went on to complete an internship and subsequently a small animal surgery residency at Dick White Referrals, which he finished in 2020. Fran obtained the title of European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery in 2021, having had the opportunity to work in both Academia and Private Referral Practice since. Fran particularly enjoys minimally invasive orthopaedic surgery and joint replacements, and he is passionate about evidence-based medicine. Outside work, Fran is a keen spectator (and player) of Rugby Union (which he will tell you about after any length of conversation). Fran is also a nature lover and has an avid interest in medieval history, which tops the list of Fran’s eclectic interests.

Josh Walker MA VetMB DipACVIM MRCVS Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine

Josh graduated from the University of Cambridge, UK in 2014. After 18 months working in mixed practice on the south coast of England, Josh completed a one year rotating internship at Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists. Following this he undertook a three-year residency in Small Animal Internal Medicine at Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists, which he completed in 2020. Josh passed the certifying examination of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) in 2021, becoming an ACVIM diplomate. Josh has continued to work at Anderson Moores since and in 2023 became an RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine.

Kevin Murtagh MVB Dipl. ECVIM-CA Associate professor in Internal Medicine at UCD

Kevin graduated from University College Dublin Vet School with first class honours. He then worked in small animal first opinion practice in the UK for over 2 years. This was followed by 18 months as a small animal vet in Sydney, Australia. He then undertook a rotating internship at the University of Liverpool, UK, followed by a 3-year residency in Internal Medicine in the same institution. He subsequently remained as a lecturer in Internal medicine for a further 18 months. He returned to Sydney and worked as an internal medicine specialist for 1 year. Kevin returned to the UK in May 2017 to take up a position as internal medicine specialist at Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists, Winchester, where he remained until September 2019. He then took up a position of assistant professor (ECC and Internal Medicine), followed by associate professor in Internal Medicine at UCD. Kevin was awarded the RCVS certificate in Internal Medicine in 2012 (Cert SAM), the European Diploma in Internal Medicine in 2016 (Dipl. ECVIM-ca) and was subsequently was awarded RCVS recognised specialist status in 2017. His main areas of interest include GIT disease in both dogs and cats and emergency medicine.

Oscar Bautista Diaz-Delgado DVM, AFHEA, Dip. ECVAA, MRCVS European Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia

Oscar Bautista Díaz-Delgado graduated from the University of Extremadura in Spain in 2013. Subsequently, he completed a one-year rotating internship at the same institution. Following this, he worked as an anaesthesia clinician at the University Alfonso X El Sabio in Madrid for 2 and a half years. In March 2017, Oscar joined the Small Animal Teaching Hospital in Liverpool as an intern specializing in small animal anaesthesia. He then pursued a standard European residency program in veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia at the same institution. He became European specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia in 2021. Currently, he provides expert anaesthesia care to various hospitals in the UK as a locum anaesthetist. Oscar's primary interests lie in anaesthesia for critical patients, loco-regional anaesthesia, and pain management.

Rozália Majerčíková MVDr, Dipl. ECVIM European Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine

Rozália completed her studies at the University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Brno in 2016. She began gaining experience at a private clinic in Bratislava, where she focused primarily on dermatology. A year later, she completed a rotational internship at Vetmeduni Vienna, where she discovered her passion for internal medicine and decided to stay on the emergency internal medicine team. She later completed a residency and in 2024, she earned the title of European Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine. Currently, she works at a private clinic in Switzerland. Rozália is particularly interested in endoscopy, as well as hematological, autoimmune, and respiratory diseases. In addition to traditional internal medicine, she has also developed an interest in neurology. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, gardening, and dancing swing, and she loves trying new activities.

Sagi Denenberg DVM, Dipl.ACVB, Dipl.ECAWBM, MACVSc (Behaviour), MRCVS American Speciailist in Veterinary Behavior, European Specialist in Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine (Behaviour)

Dr. Denenberg earned his veterinary degree with honors from the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Kosice. He moved from Israel to Canada in 2003, where he successfully completed the North American veterinary licensing examination. Throughout his career, Dr. Denenberg has conducted various behavioral studies, including research on the impact of pheromones on puppy learning and socialization, as well as a study on toy preferences in cats. His work earned him the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior's Excellence in Research Award. He has also written numerous articles and contributed to book chapters. Dr. Denenberg serves as a consultant for the Veterinary Information Network (VIN), offering expert advice to fellow veterinarians. In addition to his clinical responsibilities, he is actively involved in teaching veterinary students and regularly presents at veterinary conferences across Europe and North America.

Karol Bayer DVM, Dipl. ECVS, FTA Kleintierchirurgie Senior surgeon, Tierklinik Ludwigsburg, Germany

Karol graduated as a vet in 2012 in Kosice (Slovakia) with clinical rotations in Vienna (Austria) and has since worked in several referral centres in Germany and Austria. He completed his surgical training (ECVS residency) at the Free University of Berlin and became a Diplomate of the ECVS in 2020. Since then, he works as a Senior Veterinary Surgeon at Tierklinik Ludwigsburg in Germany. He is passionate about the newest standards in the field of orthopedic surgery, joint resurfacing and arthroscopy. He has wide-ranging practical teaching experience and is an active consultant for Arthrex ® .

Matt Matiasovic DVM, PGCert, MSc, Dipl. ECVS, MRCVS Orthopaedic surgeon, Manchester Veterinary Specialists, UK

Matt qualified as a vet in 2011 and has since worked in general practice as well as referral centres in Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. He completed his surgical training (ECVS residency) at the University of Bristol in 2019 and became board-certified by the ECVS in 2020. He is passionate about orthopaedic surgery, clinical research and high-quality education. He has experience with teaching vets in the UK and Europe since 2016. He works as an orthopaedic consultant at Manchester Veterinary Specialists in the UK. His clinical interests are elective joint surgery and arthroscopy. He is also a member of an ECVS Examination subcommittee.

Benoît Cuq DrVét Ph.D. DipACVIM-SAIM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS Assistant professor and the discipline leader for Internal Medicine at the University College Dublin, Ireland

Benoît graduated from the National Veterinary School of Toulouse (France). After a one year Clinical Pathology Specialty Internship in Toulouse and two rotating internships (Université de Montréal and tthe Ontario Veterinary College), Benoît completed a Small Animal Internal Medicine Residency and a PhD on canine immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia at the Ontario Veterinary College. Benoît is an American and European Board Certified Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine recognised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Benoît worked as a clinician at the Ontario Veterinary College and the Université de Montréal as well as in private practices in Ontario, Quebec and England. Benoît is now an assistant professor and the discipline leader for Internal Medicine at the University College Dublin (Ireland). His areas of interest and research include haematological and immune-mediated disorders, bone marrow diseases as well as urology/nephrology. Benoît is really interested in endoscopy and minimally invasive treatments via interventional radiology/endoscopy in companion animals. Benoît is an active member of the American and European societies of veterinary nephrology and urology (ASVNU and ESVNU) as well as the Veterinary Interventional Radiology and Interventional Endoscopy Society (VIRIES).

Slavomíra Néčová MVDr, DipECVIM-CA (Onc), MRCVS, RCVS and EBVS European Veterinary Specialist in Small Animal Oncology

Slavka qualified as a general vet in 2009 from University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Kosice Slovakia after which she remained in general practice for a couple of years before moving to England to pursue further career options. She has worked at Southfields Veterinary Specialists (formerly VRCC), where she undertook a rotating and oncology internship and completed a residency in small animal oncology. After her residency she stayed in the same practice for a few more years before moving up North of England to Wear referrals. Slavka achieved the European Diploma in Veterinary Internal Medicine (Oncology) in 2023. Slavka enjoys all aspects of oncology and in particular a multidisciplinary approach to patients. She is passionate about patients’ quality of life throughout cancer treatments. Outside of work, Slavka enjoys exploring nature’s wonders in the North of England and she also enjoys travelling around the world.

Jan Beránek DVM, CertCAAPR, Dipl. ECVS, MRCVS Senior surgeon, Kentdale Referrals, UK

Jan graduated from the Veterinary University Brno in 1994. He continued his postgraduate studies at the Small Animal Surgery and Radiology Department at the same university for another three years. Jan joined the team of the first private referral clinic Klinika Jaggy in the Czech Republic and he was working there until 2010. He moved to the United Kingdom in December 2010 and worked at Rutland House Referrals in St Helens till September 2020. He became a diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2018. Jan has been working at Kentdale Referrals (UK) since October 2020. He is an author of two textbooks of orthopaedic radiology and thoracic radiology of small animals. His work has been focused on minimal invasive surgery; his routine caseload involves neurosurgery, orthopaedics and soft tissue surgery.

Antoine Duclos DrVét DipECVIM-CA Senior Clinician, UCD Veterinary Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

Antoine graduated from Alfort National Veterinary School, France in 2017. After completing a rotating internship and a specialized internal medicine internship in French teaching hospitals, he worked in Advetia, a busy referral hospital in Paris. He then completed an Internal Medicine residency at the UCD Veterinary Hospital, Dublin (Ireland). Concurrently, he completed a thesis on canine immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia as part of a professional Doctorate of Veterinary Medical Specialisation (DVMS). In 2024, he successfully passed the certifying exam to obtain the ECVIM diplomate status, and currently works as a senior clinician in UCD Veterinary Hospital, Dublin (Ireland). Antoine really enjoys all aspects of small animal internal medicine. His main interests are haematology, immune-mediated disease and endocrine diseases.

Amanda Paul BSc(Hons) BVSc(Hons) MVetSt MVIM MANZCVS Dip ECVIM-CA FRCVS Head of Internal Medicine- Hamilton Specialist Referrals

Amanda completed a Bachelor of Science at the University of Sydney and then veterinary studies at the University of Queensland, Australia in 1999. She initially worked in mixed practice with a large greyhound and breeding clientel and quarantine service. After completing a certification in veterinary acupuncture, she transferred to small animal practice in Sydney Australia and completed her export certification and a Masters of small animal veterinary studies through Murdoch University. An interest in specialist practice led her to work in emergency at the one Sydneys’ specialist practices where she also became a member of the Australian-New Zealand College of Veterinary Science after examination in Small Animal Medicine. She then completed a residency in small animal medicine at Murdoch University in Western Australia, becoming a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Internal medicine and completed a Masters in respiratory medicine in dogs. She worked both in private and university practice in Perth, Western Australia. In 2016 she moved to the UK and joined the referral medicine team at a specialty practice in southern England, working as a clinician and later head of the medicine team. In 2024, she joined Hamilton Specialist Referrals as head of their medicine service where she continues to work in specialist-led multidisciplinary small animal practice. Amanda enjoys all aspects of medicine, in both management of acute, chronic and interventional medicine. She continues to contribute to the profession through provision of CPD and specialist training, scientific literature and to contributing to the European and Australian-New Zealand colleges of which she is a member.

Frane Ivasovic Dipl. ECVIM-CA (Cardiology) MRCVS Head of cardiology service, University of Glasgow

Frane graduated in veterinary medicine from the Vetsuisse faculty of the University of Zurich, Switzerland, in 2015. After initially working in the private sector and as a Swiss army vet, he started his doctoral thesis in small animal cardiology at the University of Zurich in the area of cardiovascular effects of physical activity in sporting dogs. In 2017, he started a rotational internship with specialty focus in cardiology, which led him in 2018 to the ECVIM-CA specialisation programme (cardiology), which was successfully completed in 2022. Frane then started working as a freelance cardiologist in several centres in Switzerland, offering on-site consultations in the French- and German-speaking regions and in the canton of Ticino, through his company 'VetMeister'. In April 2022, he served for six months at the University of Zurich in the Department of Endocrinology, acquiring further advanced knowledge in the field of endocrinology, while continuing to develop his Freelancer activity. From January 2023 Frane restarted the cardiology service at the University of Glasgow, taking the reins as head of service and participating in various areas of comparative research with the aim of further developing the range of services offered. Frane continues, despite its location in the united kingdom, to offer its services in the various Swiss regions.

Viktor Paluš MVDr., Dipl.ECVN, RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Neurology Clinical director, Neurology consultant, NeuroVet Trenčín, Slovakia

Viktor graduated from the Veterinary University in Košice in 2005. He completed his neurology specialist training at Dick White Referrals (UK) where he also served as a consultant in Neurology alongside serving as Honorary Assoc. Professor at the University of Nottingham. In 2017 he set up a Neurological referral centre in Trenčín (SK) where he is currently clinical director. He has published widely in the field of small animal neurology and is currently also undergoing a PhD. programme at the University of Veterinary Sciences in Brno (CZ).

Nora Romero DVM DACVIM-SAIM Diplomat in Small Animal Internal Medicine

Nora graduated from the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona in 2012. After graduation, she undertook a small animal rotating internship in a referral hospital in Barcelona after which she worked as a small animal practitioner for three years. Nora moved to Glasgow in 2016 to undergo a small animal rotating internship at the University of Glasgow Small Animal Hospital. Subsequently, Nora joined Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists to complete a Residency in Small Animal Internal Medicine. She became a Diplomat in Small Animal Internal Medicine after gaining her Diploma in 2019. Nora has published veterinary articles and reviews, some of which have been translated to other languages including Spanish and German. She has also demonstrated endoscopic techniques in national congresses, which she takes pleasure in. Nora enjoys all aspects of Internal Medicine but has a particular interest in immunology, hepatology and endocrinology. She currently practices in the United Kingdom.

Florence Vessieres DMV, DipECVIM (CA), DACVIM (SAIM), MRCVS Telemedicine Consultant, Switzerland

Florence graduated from the University of Toulouse in France in 2013. After two internships (France and UK) and a residency in Internal Medicine in the UK, she became an American and European Diplomate in Small Animal Internal Medicine in 2018. Florence worked in the pet food industry, using her internal medicine expertise to support the management of conditions where nutrition plays a fundamental role. She is currently a telemedicine consultant for US and UK Telemedicine projects. She is passionate about education, and her clinical interests include gastrointestinal and renal diseases.

Peter Böttcher Prof., Dr.med.vet., Dipl.ECVS Director, Small Animal Clinic, University of Berlin, owner www.AnimalTECH.de

Prof. Böttcher is Diplomate ECVS since 2004. He is a world-renowned expert on small animal orthopaedics, with academic careers at university clinics in Leipzig and Berlin. He is author and co-author of many scientific articles and textbook chapters - notably on pivotal topics in elbow mechanics. He serves as a regular lecturer at conferences and workshops worldwide. Peter is a senior consultant for Arthrex and owns a company pioneering patient-specific orthopaedic implants. We are honoured to welcome him amongst our lecturers.

Marta Kantyka DVM, Dipl. ECVAA Senior clinical anaesthetist, VETSUISSE Uni Bern, Switzerland

Marta graduated as a vet in 2011. She then worked as a laboratory and clinical anaesthetist at the University of Vienna until 2013, followed by a small animal anaesthesia internship at the University of Pennsylvania. She completed her anaesthesia residencey at the University of Zurich and currently works as a clinical anaesthetist at the University of Bern, Switzerland.

Massimo Vignoli Prof., DVM, PhD., Dipl.ECVDI Professor of Diagnostic Imaging, University of Teramo, Italy

Massimo graduated from the University of Bologna with a thesis on Hip dysplasia in dogs. He specialized in Veterinary Radiology at the University of Turin. He won the Resident Prize at the EAVDI/ECVDI European Congress, Murcia 2002, as best presentation on: “CT-guided biopsies in the skeleton. To date, he is author/co-author of 257 scientific works, of which 124 have been published in scientific journals. He is Diplomate of the European College of Diagnostic Imaging (ECVDI), Editor and/or Co-author of the books: “Radiology of the dog and cat”, Poletto Editore, 2005, “Veterinary Computed Tomoghraphy”, Edited by T. Schwarz and J. Saunders, 2011, “Manual of first aid and traumatology in small animals”, Viganò, 2013, “Atlas of Diagnostic Imaging of the Dogs and Cats”, M. Vignoli, J. Graham, 2022. He served as president of the Italian Society of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging (SVIDI) 2001-2004 and has been member of various ECVDI Committees over the years. He serves as full Professor at the University of Teramo. Massimo is a highly accomplished radiologist with a profound experience in teaching and we are delighted to welcome him on the Team in 2024.

Daria Starybrat DVM, DACVECC, MVetMed, MRCVS Lecturer in emergency and critical care, University of Edinburgh, UK

Daria graduated from Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences in 2011. After working in small animal practices in Poland, Ireland and Wales she completed a rotating internship at a busy private referral practice in Cambridgeshire and a specialty internship at the University of Edinburgh. Daria then completed a residency in Emergency and Critical Care at the Royal Veterinary College and became a Diplomate of the American College of Emergency and Critical Care (DACVECC). Daria is now a Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh. She is interested in all aspects of emergency medicine and intensive care, although is keen to focus on sepsis and care of patients with severe and life-threatening conditions. Outside of work, Daria enjoys exploring the beauty of Scottish nature and culture.

Mark Longley BVM&S MSc GPCertSAS Dipl.ECVS MRCVS Senior surgeon, Pride Veterinary Referrals, Derby, UK

Mark graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2008. He spent five years in general practice before completing an Internship at the University of Glasgow. He then completed a master’s degree investigating specific patella fractures in cats as well as a Surgical Residency at the University of Bristol. He became board certified by the ECVS in 2019. Mark enjoys all aspects of small animal soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery, but particularly enjoys surgical oncology and reconstructive surgery. He has been teaching surgical courses in the UK for many years and we are delighted to have him on our team.

Francesco Cian DVM DipECVCP FRCPath MRCVS Cytology specialist BattLab/LABOKLIN, United Kingdom

Francesco Cian graduated from the University of Padua (Italy) with a DVM in 2006. He spent the next four years in small animal practice in Italy. In 2010, he started a residency program in Clinical Pathology at the University of Cambridge (UK), which he finished in 2013, attaining both ECVCP and FRCPath diplomas. He joined the Animal Health Trust (AHT) in 2013 as Head of Clinical Pathology. Since 2015, he has been Senior Clinical Pathologist for BattLab (LABOKLIN) and collaborates with several digital cytology laboratories based in Europe, the USA, and Asia. Francesco is the current secretary of the European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ECVCP) and a member of the cytology exam committee for the same college. He is author of several publications in peer-reviewed journals and is the editor of three cytology books. He is a passionate educator and actively collaborates with several educational companies, providing postgraduate education in cytology to veterinarians.

Will Robinson BVetMed MSc BSAVA PGCertSAS Dipl.ECVS MRCVS Head of Soft Tissue Surgery, Willows Veterinary Referrals, Solihull, UK

Will graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2010 and has since worked in multiple small animal hospitals across the UK whilst also completing a rotating internship at Willows in 2012. He completed his surgical training (ECVS residency) and clinical masters degree (MSc) at Bristol Veterinary School in 2019, after which he returned to Willows where he currently heads up the Soft Tissue Surgery department. He became a European Specialist (Diplomate ECVS) in 2020. Will is an extremely knowledgeable clinician with a breadth of surgical experience and we are delighted for him to joint our team of instructors. At work he enjoys thoracic emergency surgery and has been teaching workhops for vets for many years.

Omri Belachsen DVM PgCertVPS CertAVP(VC) Dipl.ECVIM-CA (Cardiology) MRCVS Cardilogy Specialist, Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists, UK

Omri graduated from the University of Kosice (Slovakia) in 2011. He spent 3 years in general practice in Israel and the UK before completing a rotational internship in a busy multidisciplinary hospital in the midlands UK. He joined Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists as a cardiology intern in 2016 and during his internship he completed a post graduate certificate in veterinary cardiology at the university of Liverpool. Omri completed a cardiology residency in 2020 and was subsequently awarded a European Diploma in Veterinary Cardiology. While interested in all aspects of small animal cardiology, Omri has a particular interest in congenital cardiac diseases, interventional cardiology and arrhythmias.

Renata Stavinohova MVDr. Renata Stavinohova PhD, PGCertSAOphthal, DipECVO, MRCVS Head of Ophthalmology, Lumbry Park Veterinary Specialists, UK

Renata Stavinohova graduated from the University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Brno, Czech Republic in 2008. After completion of PhD at the same institution, she spent some years gaining surgical and medical experience in the UK before completing a rotating internship and an ophthalmology internship at the Animal Health Trust. In 2017, Renata was awarded a BSAVA Postgraduate Certificate in Small Animal Ophthalmology with distinction. Subsequently, she completed an ECVO-approved residency at Dick White Referrals and became an ECVO Diplomate in 2021. She currently works as an ophthalmologist at Lumbry Park Veterinary Specialists. She is actively involved in the teaching and training of veterinary students, nurses, and vets in their pursuit of improved understanding and postgraduate qualifications in veterinary ophthalmology. She also works as a Vin consultant. Renata enjoys all aspects of ophthalmology, from clinical work to research. She has a particular interest in ophthalmic microsurgery, neuro-ophthalmology, ocular manifestation of systemic disease and inherited eye diseases. Renata is a co-chair of the ECVO Scientific committee, and she has recently become a BVA panellist.

Pavel Slunský DVM, Dipl. ECVS, MSc (SA), FTA Kleintierchirurgie, FTA Kleintiere Senior surgeon, Small Animal Specialists Augsburg, Germany

Pavel graduated at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Brno (Czech Republic) in 2011. He completed a surgical residency at the Free University in Berlin (Germany) and became a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeon (Dipl. ECVS) in 2019. Simultaneously he gained also further titles as a national specialist in Small Animal Surgery (FTA für Chirurgie) and Small Animal Medicine (FTA für Kleintiere) in Germany. Since 2019 Pavel works as a senior surgeon, residency supervisor and small animal medicine program coordinator at AniCura Small Animal Specialists in Augsburg (Germany). He is passionate about teaching and serves as an adjunct lecturer of small animal surgery at VetUni in Brno. Pavel´s main clinical and research interests include traumatology and advanced soft tissue surgery.

Filippo Cinti DVM, PhD, GPCert(SASTS), Dipl. ECVS, MRCVS Senior Surgeon Soft Tissue - Clinica Veterinaria San Marco, Vethospital Firenze

Filippo graduated from the University of Bologna (Italy) in 2009. After qualifying, he worked in general practice and whilst working towards his Ph.D. Filippo worked as a surgeon in the 24-hour University Teaching Hospital. In 2018 he completed and achieved the Certificate in Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery (GPCert-SASTS). Filippo completed a three-year ECVS approved residency in small animal surgery at the Centro Veterinario Luni and Clinica Veterinaria Vezzoni and he became a Diplomate ECVS in 2020. Filippo is author and co-author of several research projects and publications, presented at multiple national and international congress. Filippo worked in a referral hospital in the UK for 3 years before come back to Italy in 2021, where he now works in two referral private practices in the north of Italy (Clinica Veterinaria San Marco and Vethospital Firenze).

Giliola Spattini DVM, PhD, DipECVDI Clinica Veterinaria Castellarano, Italy; Telemedicine; www.diagnosticmindset.com

Giliola from Parma University. In 2001 she joined the Queen Mother Hospital at the Royal Veterinary College (London) to start a residency program in Diagnostic Imaging. She integrated her residency with externships at Tufts, Penn, Bern, and Liege. She was junior docent at Uppsala and Utrecht Universities. In 2008 She obtained the Diploma of the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging (ECVDI). In 2009 She defended her Ph.D. thesis at the Department of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging at Parma University. Since 2008 has been working with sport medicine experts on ultrasonography of the limbs in sportive dogs at Clinica Veterinaria Castellarano. She has been the secretary of the European Association of Diagnostic Imaging. She is past president of the Italian Society of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging (SVIDI), and currently she is the president of the European teleradiology subcommittee for the ECVDI. She has published in national and international journals. She has contributed to three books on Diagnostic imaging and has been the editor for others. She loves to teach in continuous post-graduate education (CPD) in Italy and around the world. She is the director of the diagnostic imaging section of Clinica Veterinaria Castellarano in Italy, and she works as a consultant for Antech (USA) and Mylav (IT). She lives in the Apennine Mountains and loves nature and art.

Jan Janovec MVDr, Dipl.ECVS, MRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Surgery Senior Surgeon, Fitzpatrick Referrals, UK

Jan graduated with honours from the University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Brno (Czech Republic) in 2008. He underwent his specialist training at Fitzpatrick Referrals and became an ECVS and RCVS specialist in 2018. Since then, he worked as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon and later as head of department at several veterinary specialist hospitals in the UK, before returning to the team of Prof. Fitzpatrick in 2021. Jan enjoys all aspects of small animal orthopaedics with a special interest in fracture management, joint replacement, and revision surgery. Apart from his clinical work, Jan is involved in clinical research and training of future veterinary specialists. In 2022, Jan was elected as joint educational secretary of the British Veterinary Orthopaedic Association (BVOA).

Nicola Waring BSc (Hons) RVN HE Dip CVN HE Dip AVN HE Dip Ed QTLD Manchester Veterinary Specialists, UK

After qualifying in 2003 Nicola’s career has seen her travel across the world practicing as a veterinary Nurse. Whilst in Australia, Nicola developed a passion for referral work, specifically anaesthesia and surgical nursing. Since returning to the UK, Nicola has continued to study and develop interests in anaesthesia, pain management, emergency and critical care and surgical nursing. Since qualifying as a Veterinary Nurse Nicola has completed the HE Diploma in education, HE Diploma in Clinical Veterinary Nursing, HE Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing (anaesthesia and surgical), QTLS and BSc (Hons) in Clinical Veterinary Nursing. Nicola gained recognition for her dissertation in 2014 winning ‘Thesis of the Year’.  As well as being a Clinical Supervisor for student Veterinary nurses, Nicola is a qualified teacher has lectured at numerous conferences in the UK and overseas. She has also written numerous journal articles, including a published study comparing analgesic agents post orthopaedic surgery. 

Paula Hill RVN VTS Manchester Veterinary Specialists, UK

Paula qualified as Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2000. Shortly afterwards she moved to a 24-hour animal hospital where she developed a strong interest in emergency and critical care work. Paula gained a plethora of experience in this area and wanted to expand her knowledge further. This then lead her on to work in the referral sector, and it is here where she developed her passion for anaesthesia. In 2012 Paula gained accreditation as a Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Anaesthesia and Analgesia. Paula enjoys sharing her knowledge with fellow colleagues and has had the opportunity to speak at national and international events. She has had a number of published articles and she is eagerly anticipating her book chapter to be published in 2025 on Anaesthetic Considerations in Orthopaedic Patients.

Julia Tünsmeyer Dr.med.vet. Dipl. ECVAA Senior clinical anaesthetist, University of Hannover, Germany

Julia graduated from the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover in 2004, where she also did her postgraduate doctoral studies (Dissertation), a rotating internship and a Residency Training Program of the European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia, becoming board-certified in 2012. From 2015-2017 she worked at the Free University of Berlin as a senior clinician and lecturer in Anaesthesia. She returned to the University of Hannover to continue with her postdoctoral scientific studies in the field of Veterinary Analgesia and to work as a senior clinician in Anaesthesia, Analgesia and Intensive Care. Since then she is also supervising the rotating internship program of the Small Animal Hospital and has been the primary or secondary supervisor of several residents. Julia has a a special interest in the clinical training of students, interns and residents and profound experience in postgraduate education in terms of conducting seminars, webinars and lectures.

Mathias Brunnberg DVM, Dipl. ECVS, MSc (SA), FTA Kleintierchirurgie Senior surgeon, Tierarztpraxis Dr. Sörensen GmbH

Mathias graduated in 2005 at the Free University Berlin, Germany. After he completed several rotating internships he completed his surgical training (ECVS residency) at the Small Animal Clinic of the Free University Berlin. He became a board-certified Diplomate ECVS in 2015 and in the same year he successfully finished his Master of Science (Small Animal). During his time at the Small Animal Clinic in Berlin he was responsible for the surgical education for junior surgeons, students and supervised standard ECVS residency programs. After 10 years of surgical experience in a university setting he moved on to a private clinic in Berlin where he works as a senior surgeon. Mathias is dedicated to high quality postgraduate education and organizes several national and international surgical courses, webinars and presentations.

Roxana Merca DVM, Dipl.ECVS Senior surgeon, Tieklinik Hollabrunn, Austria

Roxana graduated from the University of Timisoara, Romania in 2010. After a rotating internship, she worked as a clinical assistant in the Clinic of Small Animal Surgery of the VetMedUni Vienna. She completed an ECVS Residency program (LMU Munich & VetMedUni Vienna) and became a European Specialist (Diplomate ECVS) in 2023. Since 2022 she is working in private practice and enjoys all aspects of surgery, with a particular interest in soft tissue surgery and traumatology. She is actively involved in teaching and training students and vets in different countries.

Jakub Kaczmarek DVM, Dipl. ECVS Orthopaedic surgeon, VETACARE Erfstadt, Germany

Jakub qualified in 2013 in Wroclaw, Poland and shortly after that moved to Germany where he started his surgical internship. Afterwards he moved to Zurich (Switzerland) and later on to Gießen (Germany) for further externships in order to continue to study orthopedics and sports medicine. Shortly after he started his ECVS Residency in a referral clinic in Augsburg (Germany) and became a diplomate of the ECVS in 2021. Jakub is dedicated to teaching and is an active lecturer in Europe and the USA. He works as an orthopedic surgeon at the referral center for orthopedics and sports medicine VETACARE in Erfstadt, Germany.

Kateřina Slabá MVDr., Dipl. EVDC Specialist in veterinary dentistry, Czech Republic

After graduating from FVL VFU Brno, from 2002 to 2018 she worked at a private veterinary clinic, where she gradually profiled herself and dentistry became her only professional field. In 2018, she founded her own veterinary dental office in Písek. She is a member of the European Society of Veterinary Dentists. Since 2015, she has been a resident of the European College of Veterinary Dentists under the leadership of Dr. Jan Schreyer (DE) and Dr. Jerzy Gawor (PL), since 2023 she is a certified specialist of the European College of Veterinary Dentists. She regularly publishes, lectures and teaches practical courses at home and abroad. She is the co-founder of the Academy of Veterinary Stomatology s.r.o., which is dedicated to practical teaching of dentistry in the form of workshops and webinars. She is a founding member and chairwoman of the Dental Section of ČAVLMZ (Czech Association of Small Animal Veterinarians).