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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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Webinar to explore AMR in vet dentistry

News Story 1
 The WSAVA has invited veterinary professionals to a webinar on responsible antibiotic usage in dentistry.

On 19 November 2025, at 1am, Dr J Scott Weese and Dr Brooke Niemiec will share the latest advice for antimicrobial use. They will present research on oral bacterology, and explain how attendees can choose appropriate antibiotics.

The session will cover pre-, intra- and post-operative guidelines, with recommendations for various pathologies.

The webinar is designed to support veterinary professionals to make informed decisions and tackle antimicrobial resistance.

Attendees can register here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue reaches Wales for first time in 2025

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has revealed that bluetongue has been confirmed in Wales for the first time in 2025.

In their latest statistics, APHA records a total of 109 cases of BTV-3 or BTV-8 in Great Britain in the 2025-2026 vector season.

The total number of BTV-3 cases in Great Britain this season is 107. This includes 103 cases within the England restricted zone and four cases in Wales.

There has also been two cases of BTV-8, which were both in Cornwall.

As a result of the cases in Wales, a Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) is enforced in Monmouthshire. Animals can move freely under general license within the England Restricted Zone, however animals with suspected bluetongue must stay on their holding.

All premises testing positive for blue tongue can be viewed on this map.