The Conference

The conference aims to provide topical and useful education targeted at Veterinary Surgeons in practice in a setting where there is ample opportunity to meet informally with speakers, colleagues, pharmaceutical and equipment representatives.  Bookings may be made for the full conference, one day or a half day.  Practices may opt to mix and match, by paying the full conference fee and sending delegates on different days or half days.  Partners are welcome to join delegates at the conference dinner on Tuesday evening.

The Venue

Stirling Court Hotel is set in 300 acres of parkland with the spectacular backdrop of wooded hillsides and the Wallace Monument. The centre is a member of the Conference Centres of Excellence Consortium, providing high quality service and delivery.   With the National Swimming Academy’s 50m swimming pool, a state of the art fitness suite and 9-hole golf course all located within the spacious grounds of ‘the most picturesque university campus in Europe’, delegates can exercise their bodies as well as their minds during their stay.

Stirling is within easy reach of Glasgow and Edinburgh.  The town has been at the centre of Scotland’s history for 1,000 years and is known as the “Gateway to the Highlands”.  For more details visit the website: www.explore-stirling.com.  

The main aims of this charitable organisation are to:

  • organise the annual CPD Conference in Stirling
  • award grants to vets to allow CPD attendance
  • support local CPD initiatives

The Trust is indebted to its membership and to pharmaceutical companies’ support to continue its work.

The Programme

SessionsTopicsSpeaker(s)
9.30 -10.30 Sustainability Plenary SessionVetSustain: Dr Justine Shotton, Dr Andrew Prentis and Judy Scrine
10.30 –11.00Coffee Break
11.00 – 12.00POCUS UltrasoundDr Ali Patrick BVSc CertAVP(ECC) MRCVS
12.00 – 13.00MicrobiomeDr Carol Hughes
13.00 – 14.00Lunch
14.00 – 15.00DentistryDr Ceri Owen BVM BVS PgCert MRCVS
15.00 – 15.30Coffee Break
15.30 – 16.15Roundhouse Referrals
16.15 – 17.00An Update On Feline Endocrine DiseaseAlisdair Boag
SessionsTopicsSpeaker(s)
9.30 -10.30 Sustainability Plenary SessionVetSustain: Dr Justine Shotton, Dr Andrew Prentis and Judy Scrine
10.30 –11.00Coffee Break
11.00 – 12.00Be prepared for the foaling seasonDr Richard Stephenson BVMS, Cert VR, Cert EP, MRCVS
12.00 – 13.00Be prepared for severe traumaDr Richard Stephenson BVMS, Cert VR, Cert EP, MRCVS
13.00 – 14.00Lunch
14.00 – 17.00BARTAMulti species, mini version of British Animal Rescue
& Trauma Care Association (BARTA) responder course
– series of lectures & practicals
SessionsTopicsSpeaker(s)
9.30 – 10.30 Sustainability Plenary SessionVetSustain: Dr Justine Shotton, Dr Andrew Prentis and Judy Scrine
10.30 -11.00Coffee Break
11.00 -12.00Pre-anaesthetised patient considerationSarah Little (AFHEA, VCA)
12.00- 13.00Common Mobility Problems, nursing and client considerationsAimee Stewart
13.00 – 14.00Lunch
14.00 – 15.00Dermatology topicVictoria Robinson
15.00 – 15.30Coffee Break
15.30 -16.15End of life/quality of live chatsFiona McDowall, MSc VN, PgCert VN Onc.,
PgCert TLHE, Dip AVN, Dip CVN, Cert AAB, RVN, FHEA
16.15 – 17.00How to be ready for referral (in small furries/exotics)Gianluca Deli 
SessionsTopicsSpeaker(s)
9.30 -10.30 SustainabilityCat Curtis
10.30 -11.00Coffee Break
11.00 -12.00Arthritis/Cruciates/AcupunctureKathryn Wale, Ross Allan BVMS, PGCertSAS, MRCVS, Krissy Nichols
12.00- 13.00Arthritis/Cruciates/AcupunctureKathryn Wale, Ross Allan BVMS, PGCertSAS, MRCVS, Krissy Nichols
13.00 – 14.00Lunch
14.00 – 15.00FIP UpdateNicki Reed ,BVM&S CertVR DSAM (Feline) DipECVIM
15.00- 15.30Coffee Break
15.30-16.15GI Disease On A BudgetDr Julien Dandrieux, BSc, Dr med vet, PhD, DACVIM, GCUT, MRCVS
16.15- 17.00ExoticsDr Kevin Eatwell BVSc (Hons) DipZooMed (Reptilian)
DipECZM (Herpetology and Small Mammals) FHEA MRCVS
SessionsTopicsSpeaker(s)
9.30 -10.30 Preventing & Managing Disasters On FarmsDiether Prins DVM CertCHP Dip.ECBHM MRCVS
10.30 – 11.00Coffee Break
11.00-12.00Regenerative agriculture – grasping the nettle!Lee-Anne Oliver BVM&S CertAVP(cattle)(sheep)MRCVS
12.00- 13.00HousingJamie Robertson
13.00-14.00Lunch
14.00-15.00
15.00- 15.30Coffee Break
15.30-16.15
16.15- 17.00
9.30 – 10.30Imposter SyndromeClaire Grigson BVM&S MRCVS ACCP
10.30 – 11.00Coffee Break
11.00-12.00Social media For The Practice-Tools, Hints and TipsNicki Daw
12.00- 13.00VetYogiVetYogi Chloe Hannigan
13.00-14.00Lunch
14.00-15.00Panel Discussion – What I learnt from opening my own practiceCamilla Church BVMS MRCVS CertAvp,
Nichola Hinchy MRCVS BVSc(Hons)
15.00- 15.30Coffee Break
15.30-16.15
16.15-17.00

AGM – 5.15pm Tuesday 3rd June 2025

Conference Dinner – Tuesday 3rd June 2025

Pre-dinner drinks 7.00-8.00 pm;
Dinner 8.00 pm (Partners Welcome)
After-dinner speaker

We are now taking bookings for our 2025 Annual Conference.