About our speakers
Dr Sarah Caney BVSc PhD DSAM (Feline) MRCVS, CEO of Vet Professionals and author
Dr Caney, CEO of Vet Professionals has worked as a feline-only vet since 1994. She is internationally recognised as one of only eight veterinary specialists in feline medicine in the UK.
In addition to her popular ‘Caring for a cat’ series of books and website www.catprofessional.com, she has published widely in prestigious international journals and has been an invited speaker to veterinary conferences worldwide. Dr Caney has worked for many years with the UK cat charity, the Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB), and the International Society of Feline Medicine.
Dr Andy Sparkes BVetMed PhD DipECVIM- MRCVS
Andy has worked as a feline-only vet since 1987 and trained as a specialist at the University of Bristol. He is a popular speaker and internationally recognised as one of only eight specialists in feline medicine working in the UK.
Dr Sparkes is a popular speaker both in the UK and internationally. He has published widely in international journals and in 2004 co-authored ‘Self-Assessment Colour Review of Feline Medicine’ with Dr Sarah Caney. Dr Sparkes is the co-editor-in-chief and founding editor of the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. In 2010 Dr Sparkes established the Simply Feline Veterinary Consultancy (www.simplyfeline.com).
Professor Danièlle Gunn-Moore BSc BVM&S PhD MACVSc MRCVS
Danièlle is currently one of only three professors of feline internal medicine globally. Since 2000 she has been based at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies where she founded the Feline Clinic and is Head of Companion Animal Sciences.
As an internationally recognised expert in her field, Danielle lectures extensively and her work has been published widely. In 2009 she co-authored ‘Caring for a cat with lower urinary tract disease’ with Dr Sarah Caney. Danielle is on the Executive Committee of the International Society of Feline Medicine and is Associate Editor of the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery.
Vicky Halls, RVN, full member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors & best-selling author
Vicky Halls is an acclaimed Pet Behaviour Counsellor with many years experience of treating behavioural problems in cats both in the UK and abroad. She is also an international bestselling author of cat behaviour books. In 2008 Vicky was voted as the 'Nation's Favourite Cat Author' by the readers of 'Your Cat' Magazine.
Vicky consults UK wide as a feline behaviour specialist and is a member of the FAB Behaviour Expert Panel, formulating ‘best practice’ information for veterinary professionals, breeders, cattery staff and pet owners. For more information on her work visit www.vickyhalls.net.
Andrea Harvey
Andrea graduated from University of Bristol in 2000. After a period of time in first opinion small animal practice, she returned to University of Bristol Veterinary School to undertake a 3 year residency in feline medicine, funded by the Feline Advisory Bureau. Andrea remained at Bristol Vet School as FAB Clinical Fellow in feline medicine 2005-2010. She gained her RCVS Diploma and European Diploma in 2005, and was awarded RCVS Specialist status in 2006. Andrea currently works freelance doing a mixture of clinical referral work and feline consultancy, and continues to work closely with the Feline Advisory Bureau with initiatives such as the Cat Friendly Practice scheme.
Dr David Gould BSc (Hons), BVM&S, PhD, DVOphthal, DipECVO, MRCVS
Davies Veterinary Specialists, Hertfordshire
An Edinburgh graduate, following a year in general practice David moved to the University of Cambridge to undertake a PhD in molecular genetics. This was followed by a clinical residency in veterinary ophthalmology at Bristol University, followed by a Lectureship. He joined Davies Veterinary Specialists in 2003, where he is now director and head of their ophthalmology referral service.
David is a European and RCVS-recognised Specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology, and is a regular speaker at national and international CPD meetings. He enjoys clinical teaching and is chairman of the European College of Veterinary Ophthalmology examination committee.
Natasha Mitchell MVB CertVOphthal MRCVS
Natasha grew up in Co. Tipperary, Ireland and graduated from University College Dublin in 1998 with a degree in Veterinary Medicine. Natasha obtained her Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Certificate in Veterinary Ophthalmology in 2004 and is currently studying for her RCVS Diploma. Natasha worked in referral ophthalmology in the UK for several years before returning to her homeland. She is currently working as an ophthalmologist in Limerick, Ireland (www.eyevet.ie). Natasha has lectured to veterinarians and veterinary students in the UK and Ireland and published widely in both UK and Irish veterinary journals and in cat charity bulletins. Natasha is author of ‘Caring for a blind cat’ published by Cat Professional.
Libby Sheridan MVB MRCVS Mojo Consultancy
Libby graduated as a vet from University College Dublin and spent 10 years working in mixed and small animal practice following by 7 further years working as the UK Veterinary Affairs Manager for leading pet food manufacturer Hill’s Pet Nutrition. There she built on her direct experience of client relationships with the development of professional and client support programmes and managing customer and consumer support teams. Her veterinary background, along with her insights and experiences from the commercial pet care world allows her to marry the two together in offering specialist business and communication support to practices. She is also a regular contributor to Veterinary Practice, Dog’s Monthly and Your Cat magazines.
Professor Peter Holt BVMS(Glas), PhD(Bristol), DipECVS, CBiol, FIBiol, FRCVS
Professor Peter Holt graduated from Glasgow University in 1970. After a year as House Surgeon there, he spent two years lecturing in small animal clinical studies in Nairobi, Kenya. A further seven years was spent in general practice before his appointment as lecturer at the University of Bristol where he was Professor of Veterinary Surgery until his retirement in 2009 when he was given the distinction of Emeritus Professor.
He is author of, or contributor to, over 140 refereed papers and book chapters and has received six awards for his clinical and research activities. He has published two books on veterinary urology. He is a Past-President of the European Society of Veterinary Nephrology and Urology and in 1991 was awarded the Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for meritorious contributions to learning in the field of Veterinary Urology. In 2010, he was given Honorary Life Membership of the Association of Veterinary Soft Tissue Surgeons which has instituted an annual award in his name. The last 29 years of his career, he concentrated on the causes, investigation and treatment of urinary incontinence in small animals.
Peter is author of the book ‘Understanding canine incontinence’ published by Dog Professional, 2011.