SAVETCON

Worker's Day
2024-05-01

Webinar: 10 behaviour tips for the veterinary team
2024-05-09 19:30 - 20:30 (Europe/Helsinki)
Behaviour may be a topic that conjures up dread but it doesn’t have to be. The science of dog and cat cognition, neurodevelopment, personality and welfare is progressing at a rapid rate and it can be hard to stay up to date with the ways that this should be changing how we work. In this talk, we will delve into 10 practical things that you can do in practice to support your patients’ mental and emotional health, make things safer for you and your team, and turn tucked tails and hisses into wags and purrs.
About our Speaker:
Dr Aileen Pypers is the owner of Pets at Play Veterinary Behaviour Consultancy in the Western Cape which receives referrals from veterinarians and behaviourists throughout South Africa.
Aileen graduated as a veterinarian in 2010 from the University of Pretoria and completed an honours level module in clinical behaviour medicine in 2013. She also has a Diploma in Higher Education from Stellenbosch University (2018) and a Postgraduate Diploma in International Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law through Edinburgh University (2023).
She worked as a state veterinarian for over 7 years, has served on animal behaviour and welfare committees of the South African Veterinary Association (SAVA), currently serves on the management committee of the Cart Horse Protection Association, and is a member of the Cape Animal Welfare Forum.
Aileen does consulting work for Hill’s Pet Nutrition and Humane Society International, has served as an expert witness on several dog bite legal cases, and advises on dog behaviour for several animal welfare organisations.
She has a passion for teaching and has spoken on behavioural medicine and animal welfare topics at multiple conferences and CPD events. She has also done guest lectures on animal welfare, behaviour and one health at the Universities of Pretoria and Stellenbosch.

Mpumalanga CPD Evening
2024-05-16 18:00 - 20:00 | Protea Hotel Nelspruit, 30 Jerepico St, Orchards, Mbombela, Mpumalanaga, South Africa

SAVA Oranje Vaal Branch CPD Day
2024-05-18 09:00 - 16:00 | Willow Banks Lodge, Parys, Stand no 1 of Portion 160 The Grange, Parys, South Africa

Webinar: Calling all industry leaders!
2024-05-21 19:00 - 20:00 | ZOOM
PLEASE NOTE – THIS WEBINAR IS FOR INDUSTRY ONLY

Are you ready to make a real difference in the lives of South Africa’s veterinary community?
Join us for an exclusive webinar on Tuesday 21 May at 19h00-20h00, where you’ll discover how you can play a key role in supporting SAVA’s mentorship program.
For over a century, SAVA has been at the forefront of veterinary excellence, adapting and innovating to meet the evolving needs of our profession to enhance animal and human health. Now, more than ever, our community faces unprecedented challenges with a real risk of collapse that will have dire consequences for the industry and production sectors.
Veterinarians are leaving in alarming numbers, and those who remain are grappling with overwhelming mental health pressures.
SAVA’s mentorship program for vets in their Compulsory Community Service (CCS) year was launched in 2020 and has already made significant strides in enhancing clinical skills and improving mental health and well-being among this crucial group of young veterinarians. However, to sustain and expand this program, we need the support of all industries related to animal health.
In this webinar we will discuss:
1. The dire state of veterinary services in South Africa.
2. The critical pivotal role of veterinary services on the entire value chain.
3. The mental health status of veterinarians, and possible solutions.
4. Successes since 2020 of the mentorship program.
5. How industry can be involved in shaping the future of veterinary services.
By joining our webinar, you’ll gain invaluable insights into the mentorship program’s impact, uncover ways you can contribute, and explore the benefits your business can reap by backing this vital initiative.
Don’t miss out on this chance to be a driving force behind the future of veterinary care.
Register now and stand with us as we pave the way for brighter days ahead – for veterinarians, para-veterinarians and the animal population of South Africa.

Gert Steyn, Managing Director SAVA
Dr Paul van der Merwe, President SAVA

Webinar: Latest Research: Supporting production efficiency of modern livestock
2024-05-22 18:00 - 19:30 | Livestorm (online)
Programme:

18h00 – 18h05: Welcoming and introduction of speaker – Adéle Rothmann – Virbac Product Manager: Micronutrients & Nutrition
18h05 – 19h15: Presentation by Dr Paula Gonzalez-Rivas
19h15 – 19h30: Q&A session

Speaker bio: Dr Paula Gonzalez-Rivas is the Technical Services Manager for Livestock Nutrition at Virbac Australia. She is a veterinarian with a Master’s degree in Animal Studies from the University of Queensland, a PhD in Agricultural Sciences from the University of Melbourne, and five years of experience in small and large animal practice in Chile. Paula has experience in research applied to nutrition and heat stress in ruminants. During her Masters, Dr Gonzalez-Rivas studied the role of phosphorus in beef cattle, while in her PhD, she focused on heat stress abatement strategies using nutritional management in sheep and dairy cattle. She has also completed a postdoctoral fellowship in meat quality in feedlot cattle
This webinar was accredited for 1 CPD Point – AC/1828/24

NATIONAL ELECTIONS
2024-05-29

Hill's Young Vets CPD Weekend
2024-06-08 13:00 - 2024-06-09 13:30 | Glenburn Lodge, Kromdraai Road, Zwartkops, Muldersdrift, South Africa
You’re Invited!
If you needed a sign to level up, this is it! Our Young Vets Weekend is a fantastic opportunity for a bit of a break away, lots of CPD and networking with other recently qualified colleagues. Join us for a lekker line up of speakers and CPD of around 6 points as well as a relaxed dinner sponsored by Boehringer-Ingelheim. It’s open to vets that have qualified in the last 7 years.
This event will also be streamed online for a small fee, however we do recommend attending in person to get the most out of this opportunity.
SPEAKERS:

Dr Geoff Brown
Dr Karien Brink
Dr Vanessa McClure
Dr Megan Brown

YOUTH DAY
2024-06-16

PUBLIC HOLIDAY (Youth Day)
2024-06-17

Webinar: Feelin’ Retro...virus?
2024-06-25 19:00 - 20:30 | Livestorm (online)
This webinar will cover:

Review the pathogenesis of feline leukaemia virus
Discuss diagnostic challenges associated with FeLV
Discuss the history of and current evidence related to feline injection site sarcomas
Review immunologic principles of vaccines and discuss current options for FeLV prevention

SPEAKER:
Karen Stasiak, MSN, DVM, MSc(CMID)
Dr. Karen Stasiak is the Head of Core Diagnostics and Infectious Disease Platforms with the Global Diagnostic team at Zoetis. She earned her DVM degree from the Ohio State University in 2001, a Master’s degree in Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Disease from the University of Edinburgh in 2021, and a Master’s degree in Nursing from the University of Cincinnati in 1994. Prior to joining with Zoetis, she was in private practice for 13 years, owning a mixed animal practice in Colorado. She received additional training in Comparative Animal Medicine and worked in laboratory animal medicine at National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine in Denver. She is also a neonatal nurse practitioner and worked in the newborn intensive care unit for 20 years, which similar to veterinary medicine, involves caring for patients that can’t talk and have parents.

Webinar: WONJI -Working ON Not Just IN their practices
2024-07-11 19:30 - 20:30 | Livestorm (online)
Veterinarians and their teams are so deeply embedded in the day to day tasks of running a practice that they lose sight of their vision, mission, and core values. Assuming that they have them. Those practices that are most successful will WONJI. What is WONJI – Working ON Not Just IN their practices. Learn how to WONJI to set your path for success.
About our speaker
Dr Peter Weinstein
Dr Peter Weinstein is a husband, father, pet parent, veterinarian and leader
He has been involved with virtually all aspects of veterinary practice from a 15 year old kennel kid to a hospital owner.
Organized veterinary medicine has been a passion as well with various roles and leadership and presidencies of Southern California VMA, California VMA, and Vet Partners.
He is a published author, most notably of the EMyth Veterinarian-Why Most Veterinary Practices Don’t Work and What to Do About It.
Currently, he is teaching business and finance at the Veterinary College of Western University of Health Sciences.
He likes to think of himself as a free thinking change agent and disruptor who, because he has a daughter who is a veterinarian, is working for an even better veterinary profession in the future.
Proudly hosted by:

Webinar: Osteoarthritis from a Surgical Perspective
2024-07-30 19:30 - 20:30 | Livestorm (online)
In the prime of their days, when the dance of youth fades to the arthritic whispers of time, we turn to the delicate art of surgery to restore grace to our canine companions. The surgeon, like a masterful artist, wields their tools with precision and compassion, seeking to alleviate the burdens of pain.
With the gentle touch of arthroscopy, a window is opened into the joint’s secret world, where fragments of discord are delicately removed, allowing the symphony of movement to play once more. In the ballet of bones, osteotomy repositions the players, realigning the choreography to ease the strains of life’s wear and tear.
For those whose joints have become unyielding prisons of pain, joint replacement offers a rebirth, where prosthetic marvels bestow newfound freedom and joy. When even this is not enough, arthrodesis steps in, sacrificing motion for the solace of pain’s release, ensuring a life of comfort over suffering.
And in the smallest of our friends, excisional arthroplasty gently reshapes the future, creating a false joint that, though unconventional, gifts them a life unchained from the relentless grip of discomfort.
Each surgical stroke, guided by knowledge and compassion, paints a picture of hope and renewal. Through careful preoperative consideration and diligent postoperative care, we shepherd our loyal friends back to the vibrant dance of life, their steps once more light and free.
About our speaker
Dr Peter Guy BSc, BVSc, MMedVet (Surg)
Specialist Surgeon
After graduating from Onderstepoort in 2013, Dr. Peter Guy commenced his career as a general practitioner at Panorama Veterinary Clinic in 2014. Driven by a profound passion for progressive learning in small animal surgery, he has dedicated significant effort and time to learning and trying to better himself in both orthopaedic and soft tissue fields. In 2021, he embarked on a rigorous surgical residency, successfully completing it by the end of 2023. His dedication to these specialties is evident in his meticulous approach to surgical procedures and his commitment to advancing veterinary surgical techniques. Dr. Guy is now a qualified specialist in Small Animal Surgery. Beyond his professional pursuits, he enjoys outdoor activities and long-distance running whenever his schedule allows. At home, he shares his life with four dogs, three cats, and two children.

WOMEN'S DAY
2024-08-09

SAVA Oranje Vaal Branch CPD Weekend - POSTPONED TO 2025
2024-08-09 08:00 - 2024-08-11 17:00

Webinar: The latest step by step diagnostic approach to the pruritic pet
2024-08-15 19:30 - 21:00 | BigMarker
A pruritic pet is one of the most common reasons for a client to seek veterinary care, however, can sometimes prove to be a diagnostic headache. Join us as we work through a step-by-step approach to diagnose and manage the most common pruritic diseases in dogs and cats.
Agenda

19h30 – Welcome
19h33 – Hill’s Snippet
19h40 – The latest step by step diagnostic approach to the pruritic pet
20h40 – Questions and Answers
20h50 – Close of Webinar

About our Speaker
Dr Louis Loubser
BVSc, Resident: Small Animal Internal Medicine
After graduating from Onderstepoort in 2018, Louis completed his CCS year in Standerton, Mpumalanga. In 2020, he joined the team at Panorama Veterinary Clinic as a general practitioner where he developed a keen interest in small animal internal medicine. Driven by his passion for problem solving and love of medicine, Louis embarked on an internal medicine residency in 2022. Dr Loubser is currently completing the final year of his medicine residency. Together with his wife, who is also a veterinarian, and their Golden Retriever, they enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and spending time at the beach.

Webinar: Fostering Client Growth & Loyalty - strategies for effective marketing
2024-09-12 19:30 - 21:00 | Livestorm (online)
During this session we will take a deep dive into the art of cultivating a thriving client base through strategic marketing techniques.
Explore innovative approaches to attract new customers while nurturing existing relationships for enduring loyalty. Through engaging case studies and actionable insights, you’ll learn how to craft compelling messaging, personalize interactions, and create memorable experiences that resonate with your audience.
Uncover the secrets of building a brand that customers can’t help but advocate for. This session equips you with the tools to elevate your marketing strategies, fostering client growth and loyalty that drive sustained success in today’s competitive landscape.
About our speaker
Eric D. Garcia
When it comes to helping veterinary practices streamline their technology and attract and retain clients, Eric Garcia has a proven track record of educating the industry and producing results.
Eric is an internationally recognized IT and Digital Strategist working exclusively within the field of veterinary medicine. Garcia’s work has been recognized throughout the industry.
Eric was voted VMX 2020 Speaker of the Year by conference attendees. He speaks regularly at conferences all throughout the world.

Webinar: Puppy Pruritus – Stopping the itch early!
2024-09-17 19:30 - 21:00 | Livestorm (online)
Nutrition is important in the management of allergic skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis and food allergies. When these conditions are diagnosed in puppies, it is essential that the food selected to help manage their skin condition provides all the key nutrients necessary for optimal growth and development. We will discuss the frequency that these conditions are seen in puppies and how nutrition can support both skin health and growth.
During this webinar we’ll also be launching an exciting new product in the Prescription Diet Derm range, so please join us to hear all about it!
About our speaker
Dr Becky Mills
Dr Becky Mullis is a Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. She received her BS in Animal Science from the University of Maryland and her DVM from the University of Tennessee. After graduation, she completed a private practice rotating internship and worked as an emergency veterinarian. After a few years, she returned to the University of Tennessee where she completed a residency in clinical nutrition. Dr Mullis is currently Senior Manager Scientific Affairs with Hill’s Pet Nutrition.

HERITAGE DAY
2024-09-24

Annual PARSA Conference 2024
2024-10-06 08:00 - 2024-10-08 17:00

SAAVT Biennial Conference 2024
2024-10-09 08:00 - 2024-10-10 17:00 | 26 Degrees South, Beyers Naudé Dr, Zwartkops, Muldersdrift, South Africa

Webinar: EP4 antagonist - An important tool in managing chronic OA pain & inflammation in our patients
2024-10-23 12:30 - 13:30, 2024-10-23 19:30 - 20:30 | Livestorm (online)
Dr Kenneth Joubert will be presenting on: EP4 antagonist – An important tool in managing chronic OA pain & inflammation in our patients.
You can register for either Session 1 at 12h30 or Session 2 at 19h30. Click on the date and time block at the top of the page to choose your timeslot.
Stay until the end of each webinar and stand a chance to win a Littman Classic Stethoscope!

Annual Poultry Group of SAVA Congress
2024-11-06 - 2024-11-08 | 26 Degrees South, Beyers Naudé Dr, Zwartkops, Muldersdrift, South Africa

Webinar: The secret of success to staying strong in the silly season
2024-11-14 19:30 - 20:30 | Livestorm (online)
About our speaker
Desiré Rees
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology & Communication | Seta Accredited Facilitator | Certified Personal Coach with International Coaching Federation (ICF) | Transactional Analysis certified
Desiré has been involved in transformational and people development work within the Veterinary Profession for the past 18 years. Providing a safe, empowering space from which Professionals can learn the soft-science skills they need to handle people better. Desiré provides Coaching services from Preventative Self-care right through to Crisis Intervention. As well as training practice teams on Conflict Management and all spheres of Team dynamics.
Sponsored by

Webinar: SAVP antivenom shortage and alternative Antivenom for South Africa
2024-11-19 19:30 - 21:00 | Livestorm (online)
Mike Perry became interested in snakes in 1963 and two years later at the age of 10 he started catching snakes. Out of curiosity, he accomplished his first milking of a Rinkhals (Hemachatus haemachatus). In 1967 and during 1970 he milked and supplied 15 grams Rinkhals (Hemachatus haemachatus) venom for a local snake park that received an order from Germany. Although Mike’s main interest is venomous snakes with a particular interest in Mambas, he also has an interest in other snakes, lizards, crocodiles, tortoises and frogs. Mike has also investigated and has extensive experience in crocodile farming. Mike is involved in local herpetological associations to promote and maintain contact and goodwill between conservation authorities and amateur herpetologists. The need for this arose when during 1983 the first legislation was introduced in the (then) Transvaal province of South Africa, to protect reptiles.
Sponsored by Biofarm

Webinar: Neuroscience for high performance resilience in a chaotic world
2024-12-03 19:30 - 21:00 | Livestorm (online)
PLEASE NOTE: AS THIS WEBINAR IS HOSTED BY THE SAVC WE CANNOT ACCREDIT IT FOR CPD POINTS.
The current global ecosystem is rapidly paced. It is also riddled with a number of ‘pandemics’: The ‘Mental Pandemic’ is rife, causing a steep increase in depression, anxiety, addictions and suicide. Burnout is now known as a medical syndrome and is affecting ever increasing numbers of employees and leaders globally. The ‘Great Resignation’ and increased staff turnover, demands a new way of thinking about the way we design our business ecosystems. This is also true for the veterinary profession who have additional challenges of compassion fatigue, small business challenges and unrealistic expectations from their clients. In this keynote, neurologist and CEO of Neurozone, Dr Etienne van der Walt will provide a perspective on the global factors contributing to burnout and mental health challenges. He will unpack the nature of psychobiological resilience and then translate it for practical application in today’s world. Etienne will provide a framework for collective resilience that may well be the antidote for burnout and even the mental pandemic. In the process he will highlight the most important themes that underpin high-performance resilience, always simplifying the complex from biological neuroscience to personal self-leadership application. Then Etienne will anchor the practical drivers of resilient, high performance such as sleep, exercise, nutrition, social safety, psychological safety, mindset, mindfulness and high-performance energy for practical individual and team integration, to enable veterinary professionals to unlock the best version of themselves and their people they lead.
About our Speaker: Dr Etienne van der Walt
BSc, BMedSc, MBChB, MMed (Neurology)
Neurozone, Cape Town, South Africa
Etienne is an accomplished neurologist and an authority in applied behavioral neuroscience. Etienne’s 14-year career as a clinical neurologist means he has a deep understanding of the anatomy, biology, and physiology of the brain and the human nervous system. In more recent years, his professional and personal fascination with the remarkable discoveries coming from the various brain sciences has led him to believe in the vast potential of this new knowledge to enhance human capacity. The realization of this vision is the founding of Cape Town based Neurozone ®, a neuroscience business dedicated to the application of brain science, analytics and coaching to enhance human capacity. At the heart of the business of Neurozone ® is a proprietary High-Performance Code that informs leaders about the most current behavioral predictors for resilient and high-performance ready individuals, teams and organizations. The Code draws on research from neuroscience, psychology, psychiatry etc. and its impact has been validated and is currently being used in various industries to enhance human capacity by focusing on the brain/body system. As a result, Etienne has developed a keen understanding of the neurobiological substrates, principles and insights that underpin team and organizational performance. This knowledge enables Etienne to blend a variety of subjects into an integrated whole for practical application. Etienne is the founder of AmazingBrainz™, an organization dedicated to the design of programs for the brain stimulation of young, developing children – especially in disadvantaged communities. Etienne worked as a neurologist in South Africa, the UK, and the Netherlands. As an avid keynote speaker and masterclass teacher, Etienne engages with senior leaders, where individual, team and organizational resilience and optimizing human capacity takes center stage. In addition to his Medical and Clinical Neurology degrees, Etienne also holds BSc degrees in Chemistry, Mathematical Statistics as well as Integrated Physiology and Virology.

Webinar: Latest research: Multimin promotes disease resilience in newly received beef calves
2024-12-06 18:00 - 19:30 | Livestorm (online)
Injectable trace mineral improves immune response and outcome of Mannheimia haemolytica infection in feedlot steers.
Trace minerals like selenium, copper, zinc, and manganese are essential for immune function, and Multimin90, an injectable trace mineral product, has been shown to enhance immunity during vaccination. This study aimed to assess its impact on steers during respiratory illness. Thirty-two Angus-crossbred steers were assigned to three treatments: control (saline), Multimin90 pre-infection (ITMPRE), and Multimin90 post-infection (ITMPOST). Steers were challenged with M. haemolytica and treated with tulathromycin. Clinical scores were lower in ITM-treated groups compared to controls, though rectal temperatures peaked similarly across all groups. Increased gamma delta T cell and natural killer cell frequencies were noted in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from ITM-treated steers. No negative impacts on disease outcomes were observed, suggesting that Multimin90 supports lung immune responses without compromising health.
About our Speaker
Stephanie Hansen is a Professor in the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University. An Iowa native, she earned her B.S. from Iowa State and her M.S. and Ph.D. from North Carolina State University. With over 100 peer-reviewed publications and over 11 million dollars in funding as Co-PI or P.I., she has established an original and impactful beef cattle research program. A major focus of her program is the refinement of mineral requirements for feedlot cattle. She has received early or mid-career awards in research from Iowa State University, the Midwest section of ASAS, and ASAS. Dr. Hansen is passionate about training the next generation of animal scientists. She teaches courses in animal nutrition, ruminant nutrition, and micronutrient metabolism. She also co-hosts a podcast on graduate mentoring called Mentoring Matters and the Beef Podcast Show. Graduates of her program are serving industry and academia. She enjoys hiking, photography and writes crime thrillers as well.
We look forward to seeing you online.
Proudly hosted by

Webinar: A shortcut to calm in a busy world
2025-02-13 19:30 - 21:00 | Livestorm (online)
Bert will share shortcuts to calm – practical mindfulness techniques that focus awareness, refresh your mindset and reset physiology in the space of a minute – even for the most challenging scenarios and emotions faced by veterinary teams and animal care personnel on a daily basis.
About our speaker
Dr Bert Mohr
Bert is a leading keynote speaker on wellbeing in the veterinary and animal care industries. In sharing his own path from burnout to breakthrough, he inspires audiences by presenting practical mindfulness techniques that build resilience and promote the mental-emotional wellbeing of animal care personnel. He is a successful entrepreneur, internationally recognised veterinary specialist with an Oxford PhD, an authority on animal ethics, founder and CEO of Scientific Veterinary Consulting, and experienced at leadership. He loves being with his wife, children, friends and dogs, time in nature, ultra-trail running, surfing and wilderness camping.
Proudly sponsored by

Hill's Science and Innovation Roadshow
2025-03-15 14:00 - 18:30 | Livestorm (online)
You’re invited to our Science & Innovation Roadshow
Cutting-edge science never gets old and neither does our mission to help you transform the lives of pets. We believe that science is the best path to giving pets the best care possible. For over 75 years, science and innovation remains at the core of the Hill’s nutritional philosophy, so we invite you to our Science & Innovation Roadshow where we’ll share how science continues to transform the lives of pets today and tomorrow. We’ll have a special focus on critical care and recovery, its different phases and treatment plans. We’ll also launch our latest, ground-breaking food and share how it can help pets in recovery, those living with serious illness or who struggle to gain weight.
The talks will be followed by dinner and a chance to connect with fellow veterinary professionals.
Saturday 8 March 2025
Cape Town
DoubleTree by Hilton
31 Brickfield Rd, Woodstock, Cape Town
Lectures 14:00 – 18:30 • Dinner 18:30 – 20:30
RSVP
Wednesday 12 March 2025
Durban
Willow Way Manor Estate
1 Willow Way, Hillcrest, Outer West Durban
Lectures 14:00 – 18:30 • Dinner 18:30 – 20:30
RSVP
Saturday 15 March 2025
Pretoria (Hybrid Event)
Irene Country Lodge
Nellmapius Dr, Irene, Pretoria
Lectures 14:00 – 18:30 • Dinner 18:30 – 20:30
LIVE – RSVP
ONLINE – RSVP
ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS

Dave Baloga
Dave is the Executive Vice President of Science and Technology at Hill’s Pet Nutrition. He joined Hill’s in 2007 and started the Taste Technology program at Hill’s, leveraging his experience in food product design and animal behavior to deliver delicious and nutritious foods for all pets. He led the Early Research and Product Development teams at Hill’s to deliver such breakthrough launches as Prescription Diet Derm Complete, Prescription Diet Diet GI Biome and now Prescription Diet OnCare the latest revolutionary recovery fo rmula. He hails from the University of Minnesota, with a degree in Biochemistry and Nutrition, and graduate studies in Food Science and Flavor Chemistry. David spends his spare time traveling with his wife visiting their three daughters and pets, and is also passionate about cooking, hiking and citizen science.
Dr. Vanessa McClure
BSc, BVSc
Before studying Veterinary science, Vanessa was a high school teacher who taught biology and science for 5 years. She had always wanted to be a vet, so in 1999 she left teaching and applied to study a Veterinary degree. Vanessa graduated as a Veterinarian in 2003 and then went to work in private practice for 3 years. She returned to Onderstepoort in 2007 to do her residency in Small Animal Internal Medicine, after which she remained to become a senior lecturer and ran the internship programme. After 18 years of Academia, she has decided to return to private practice. Vanessa now works at the Fourways Veterinary Specialist Referral Centre as a Small Animal Medicine Specialist. She is also an adjunct lecturer at the University of Namibia, Department of Veterinary Science where she lectures Haematology, Critical Care and Multisystemic Diseases. She has a special interest in critical care medicine, infectious diseases, and rescuing any creature that looks like it needs a home!
Dr. Guy Fyvie
BVSc
Guy is the Professional and Veterinary Affairs Manager for Hill’s Pet Nutrition South Africa, a position which he has held in various forms since joining Hill’s in 1998. His roles are, Veterinary nutrition education/ consulting for the profession as well as the Hill’s SA team, Regulatory affairs, CPD for the profession, support of marketing campaigns/ launches of new foods, and customer care. He has a special interest in developing Veterinarian and student “soft” skills which are important for a fulfilled professional career. He qualified in 1995 from Onderstepoort Veterinary Faculty, is married to a Vet in private practice and has 2 adult children that are in human medical based careers. Wildlife, traveling, trail-running and beekeeping keep him semi-sane.
Dr Megan Brown
BSc, BVSc (Hons) (Anaes)
Megan attended Pretoria High School for Girls matriculating in 2006. She went on to complete her BSc in 2009 and qualified from OP with a BVSc in 2013. Megan completed her Honours in 2017, focussing on anaesthetics and internal medicine. Megan worked at Lakeside Animal Clinic from 2013-2019 and then went on to locum until she joined Hill’s as a Professional Consulting Veterinarian in 2023. Megan is married to Dr Geoff Brown, has a son, Stuart, and is also a pet parent to 2 cats.
