Companion collection - Interviews

  There are two ways to describe the career of Laura Gelder-Robertson, the new CEO of Vet Sustain CIC. The long version, suitable for formal settings, is that she is ‘an innovation strategy consultant with a specialism in systems thinking, wicked problemsolving and cross-sector collaboration’. But she can also offer a shorter and much pithier version, which suggests that her job is ‘chief dot joiner’. John Bonner spoke to Laura to find out more…

  Pet owners will often face a painful dilemma when their beloved animal is diagnosed with cancer. Should they ask to have the animal euthanased? or seek a referral to a specialist oncology centre for treatment that they may be unable to afford? Vicki Adams of the Animal Cancer Trust (ACT) told John Bonner how she is working to provide veterinary clients with a third option.

  This month we are delighted to welcome David Godfrey as our new BSAVA President! Born and brought up in Essex with two younger siblings, David graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 1988 having been inspired by a close family friend who was his role model vet and a great aunt of his who took a biology degree back in the 1930s. Companion spoke to David to find out more about his career, past experiences and what he has planned for his presidential year ahead.

 Maggie Roberts, the former Director of Veterinary Services with Cats Protection, explained to John Bonner how she is looking to support those charities devoted to the welfare and conservation of animals.

  The 1966 Veterinary Surgeons Act refers to the art and science of veterinary surgery and medicine. In his 40 years as a member of the profession regulated by that legislation, Dr Chris Little has made contributions to the science in various ways. He has been a small animal and mixed practice vet, a first-opinion practitioner and a referral vet. He was a researcher at two veterinary schools and even dabbled for a while in the veterinary pharmaceutical industry. Now he thinks it is time to brush up his artistic skills.

  Spot-on flea product residues washed off canine coats are a threat to the health of the complex invertebrate communities living in the UK’s river systems, a multidisciplinary research team has found. Could veterinary staff also be at risk when handling patients treated with these agents? Veterinary surgeon Andrew Prentis told John Bonner why he believes this is an important question and one that must be answered.

  In a near 30-year career divided equally between academic and private practice, Kevin Eatwell has developed strong views about the way the veterinary profession trains its new members. As he prepares to open the first exotics-only clinic in Scotland, he will be able to put his ideas into practice. John Bonner reports…

  As an accomplished amateur thespian, Julian Hoad is well used to taking on daunting new roles. So it is unlikely that this Sussex practitioner will be unnerved by the prospect of becoming the next President of the BSAVA this month. And while he won’t have the opportunity for intensive rehearsals for his every public appearance – or have a prompt to give him a nudge should he forget his lines – he will have two important assets that will help prepare him for his new responsibilities. John Bonner reports…

  The 2024 BSAVA award winners celebrated their success during the March awards ceremony at BSAVA Congress 2024 in Manchester. John Bonner caught up with Ben Walton to find out what his BSAVA Simon Award means to him.

  It turns out that you can tell a book by its cover. The title of Sarah Brown’s ‘The Hidden Language of Cats’ gives you all the information needed about its contents. Even lifelong fans of this most enigmatic domestic species will find that this publication reveals fresh and surprising observations on how cats communicate. John Bonner took a peek inside the feline phrase book.