Speakers

After beginnings in mixed animal practice in Oamaru, Bill practiced in Cambridge, mostly in production animals, for the past 30 years. He has a special interest in male bovine reproduction being centre veterinarian for CRV Ltd. He has a passion for veterinary science and its importance in any community, but especially farming. Veterinarians have a crucial role in protecting the social licence to keep domestic animals and veterinary practices need to have solid financial foundations to be able to do this. His practice director roles include HR and IT. He lives in rural Cambridge with his wife and third child where he farms beef cattle and breeds the odd racehorse. When not working, he enjoys the outdoors and catching up with friends and family.

Charlotte Cantley (Lotte) graduated from Cambridge University 1992 and after a large animal internship at Dublin university moved to NZ as an equine resident at Massey University. She then headed to the Waikato to work in equine practice for about 15 years. After a short stint in a veterinary industry role, she joined the NZVA in 2015 as CPD director. Throughout her diverse veterinary career Lotte has gained a wider holistic understanding of the challenges faced by the profession which motivated her to support veterinarians to have sustainable and enjoyable careers. In order to make a valuable contribution to the profession she decided to undertake evidence-based research looking at the positive aspects of clinical veterinary work in New Zealand through a full time PhD at Massey University. Lotte is currently working in a part time role with the NZVA as the Wellbeing advocate and is just over one year into her research. She will be sharing the results of her second study at this symposium.  

Following graduation from the University of Queensland (UQ) Australia in 1991 Michael practiced as a companion animal veterinarian for 10 years. In 2001 he completed an Honour’s degree in Psychology specifically researching the human-animal bond. In 2005 he then lectured veterinary students and veterinary technicians at the University of Queensland about veterinary professional skills such as communication skills, conflict resolution, professional ethics, human-animal bond, managing client grief, and improving mental health and well-being.  He completed a PhD in 2011 specifically about using psychological communication theories to effectively train veterinarians to communicate better to clients. In 2011 he travelled to Canada and took up a full time academic position at the University of Guelph and taught into their Art of Veterinary Medicine program. In 2015 he returned “down under” and “across the ditch” and returned to practicing part-time as a veterinarian and took up consultancy work in veterinary professional skills training. He continues to research and develop courses for the NZVA on professional skills training and currently holds an adjunct senior lecturer position at Massey University.

Nick has been involved with the Veterinary Industry in excess of 30 years. First in Sales management, then working at Masterpet as Business Manager and General Manager of Eukanuba. In 2008 Nick and two others started their new CareVets business, putting together a HR, Marketing, and administration support company for all six clinics. As the CEO, they have built an excellent team that now supports 24 clinics. They are very proud to be New Zealand owned and operated and part of this great profession.