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WSAVA appoints first chief learning and development officer
From top left: Dr Jennifer Granick; Dr Fergus Allerton; Dr Heather Bacon; Debbie Gray.
New appointments also made to two committee

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has appointed its first chief learning and development officer (CLDO) to lead the organisation’s work providing continuing education resources to its members.

Debbie Gray, who qualified as a veterinary nurse in the UK before moving into the education sector, has taken up the role. She holds a Diploma in Leadership and Operational Management and is studying for a Master’s in Business Administration.

The global veterinary association also announced the appointment of new chairs to two of its clinical committees.

Dr Heather Bacon is the new chair of the WSAVA Animal Wellness and Welfare Committee, which aims to make animal welfare a routine consideration for small animal veterinary professionals. She is dean of the school of veterinary medicine at the University of Central Lancashire and was awarded an OBE in 2021 for services to veterinary education and animal welfare.

Dr Fergus Allerton and Dr Jennifer Granick have been appointed as co-chairs of the WSAVA Therapeutics Guidelines Group. The committee works to improve access to veterinary medicines around the world and reduce inappropriate antimicrobial use.

Dr Allerton is a practising veterinary surgeon at a small animal referral centre in the UK and Dr Granick is an associate professor of small animal internal medicine at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, USA

WSAVA president Dr Ellen van Nierop said: “We’re delighted to welcome our new CLDO, Debbie Gray. She’ll help us harness new technologies and the latest learning approaches to ensure we deliver an exceptional educational experience to our members and equip them with the clinical and non-clinical skills they need to build rewarding careers and engage effectively with their colleagues and clients.

“We’re also delighted to welcome our new committee chairs and look forward to working with them towards our goals of setting global standards of care for companion animal practice and campaigning for change on key issues affecting our members, such as the inequity in access to veterinary medicines around the world.”

Images © WSAVA

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FIVP Practice Matters podcast returns for Series 2

News Story 1
 The Federation of Independent Veterinary Practices (FIVP) has announced that its podcast, FIVP Practice Matters, will be returning for a second series next year.

The bi-weekly podcast will return on Tuesday, 14 January 2025 with an episode on sustainability with Alison Lambert. The second series will include a range of new and familiar guests sharing veterinary initiatives and news from independent practices.

The podcast is available on Spotify and will now also be released on Apple Podcasts. More details about FIVP and the podcast can be found on its website

Click here for more...
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Further cases of H5N1 confirmed in Norfolk

APHA has officially confirmed that two more cases of H5N1 have been found on premises in Norfolk.

Testing confirmed that highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 was present at premises near Attleborough, as well as premises near Hingham in South Norfolk. The case near Hingham follows a slaughter on suspicion which was declared on 23 December.

A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone have been implemented at each premises, and all the poultry on each premises will be humanely culled.

A third case has also been identified near Beverley in East Riding of Yorkshire.

APHA is reminding bird keepers to remain vigilant and follow biosecurity measures to prevent more outbreaks. Details on the current disease control zones and biosecurity guidance can be found on the APHA website.