Animal Welfare Is More Than a Clinical Checklist – Caroline Allen | VETchat by The Webinar Vet

Joining Anthony for this episode of VETchat by The Webinar Vet is Sean McDonagh, an Irish Columban missionary priest, ecological theologian, and author of To Care for the Earth: A Call to a New Theology. In this episode, Anthony and Sean discuss the intersection of ecology, theology, and the urgent need for environmental action. Sean shares insights from his life as a Columban father, his work on ecological theology, and the importance of individual and collective responsibility to protect the planet. Anthony and Sean speak about the origins of his ecological thinking, how his book For to Care for the Earth helped push early conversations about faith and the environment, and why biodiversity loss is not just a scientific issue but a spiritual and moral one.

Joining Anthony for this episode of VETchat by The Webinar Vet are Richard Sanderson, Director of Sanderson Vet, SaraSheppard, RVN and Practice Manager at Sanderson Vet, and Hannah Mortlock, RVN. In this episode, Anthony, Richard, Sara, and Hannah speak about how the Sanderson Vet has turned sustainability into a practical, team-wide effort. They discusssmall changes that made a measurable difference, from waste segregation and greener purchasing to low-flow anaesthesia and reducing parasiticide use. The big theme is simple: start small, make it easy for staff, and let honest communication build client trust.

Joining Anthony for this episode of VETchat by The Webinar Vet is Dan Tipney, co-founder and Training Director at VetLed. In this episode, Anthony and Dan discuss Dan’s insights from his unique journey from airline pilot to veterinary human factors expert, exploring how lessons from aviation and healthcare can informveterinary practice, sustainability, and climate action. Dan also shares how human factors, non-violent communication, and Climate Fresque are being used to help teams talk about difficult issues and turn concern into action.

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