VETchat by The Webinar Vet

Joining Anthony for this episode of VETchat by The Webinar Vet is Luke Michel, Director of Coastal Vet Collective Animal Hospital. In this episode, Anthony and Luke discuss locuming between Australia and the UK, differences in veterinary workacross the two countries, and Luke’s move from corporate-owned practice to independent ownership in Wollongong. Luke also shares what it took to build a new clinic from scratch, grow through word of mouth, support a team, and make sustainability investments such as solar panels, batteries, and waste reductionwork for the business.

Joining Kathryn for this episode of VETchat by The Webinar Vet is Navaratnam Partheeban, Regional Head of Farm at IVC Evidensia and Co-Founder of British Veterinary Ethnicity and Diversity Society (BVEDS). In this episode, Kathryn and Navaratnam (Theeb) talk about the 10-year journey of BVEDS. The conversation centres on discrimination and racism in veterinary medicine, why belonging matters in practice, and what real inclusion looks like in day to day work. Theeb shares how BVEDS began from lived experience, what has changedacross the profession, and why young people give him hope for a more inclusive future.
Learn more about BVEDS on their website

“It shreds me from within”: thematic analysis of the impact of racism on veterinary professionals and students in the United Kingdom

Joining Anthony for this episode of VETchat by The Webinar Vet is Níamh Byrne, Director and Chairperson of Veterinary Sustainability Network Ireland. In this episode, Anthonyand Níamh talk about how Níamh’s love of nature led her intosustainability work. They discuss burnout, climate anxiety, practical ways veterinary practices can reduce their environmental footprint, and how small changes can create a ripple effect across the profession. Níamh shares how reconnecting with nature in the UK changed the direction of her career, why she started the Veterinary Sustainability Network, and what veterinary teams in Ireland are doing to make sustainability more practical. The conversation also covers survey findings, barriers such as time and cost, and Níamh’s part-time master’s in environmental sustainability.

More on Veterinary Sustainability Network Ireland

This episode of VETchat by The Webinar Vet is in collaboration with BCVA and hosted by Zoe Shepherd, BCVA Board Member. Joining Zoe are David Black, BCVA President, and Paul Burr, BCVA Junior Vice President. This episode looks ahead to BCVA Congress 2026 and why it remains one of the standout events in the cattle and wider farm veterinary calendar. Zoe, David, and Paul talk through the programme, practical workshops, social events, and sense of community that makes BCVA Congress more than just a CPD meeting. They also reflect on their first Congress memories, the value of face-to-face networking, and why Telford International Centre gives the event room to grow. They cover the key scientific themes for 2026, including TBcontrol, the ruminant antibiotic roadmap, and artificial intelligence in farm practice.
 
Thank you BCVA for making this episode possible.

Book your tickets to BCVA Congress 2026

Joining Kathryn for this episode of VETchat by The Webinar Vet is Will Peel, a freelance marketing consultant specialising in the animal health sector and chair of The Veterinary MarketingAssociation; Hannah Lloyd, Director at Pinstone, a specialist PR communications agency; and Ross Bearman, Head of Sales for The Webinar Vet. In this episode, Kathryn, Will, Hannah, and Ross examine how AI, digital tools, and changing audience behaviourare reshaping the way budgets are spent. They discuss how targeted, data-driven strategies are replacing broad awareness campaigns and why training, webinars, and long-term planning are becoming more important. This episode highlights thegrowing value of authentic relationships and trust-building in a crowded market. The conversation underscores how veterinary brands can improve ROI by adapting to a digital-first landscape.
 
Thank you to The Veterinary Marketing Association for making this episode possible.
State of the Nation Report