veterinary nursing - EQUINE programme
Wednesday 24 June 2026
| 7am | Registration opens | Level 3 |
| 8am | Plenary: Thriving and striving at work - the ultimate win win |
Charlotte Cantley | Theatre A Level 5 |
| 8.45am | Neonatology - acute respiratory disease and nursing support | Bonny Millar | Room 514 Level 5 |
| 9.30am | Morning tea | Exhibition Hall Level 3 |
| 10am | The 13 factors that affect wound healing | Bonny Millar | Room 514 Level 5 |
| 10.50am | Atypical myopathy | Bonny Millar | Room 514 Level 5 |
| 11.45am | Disasters in the trenches | VPIS Shared talk with Large Animal Veterinary Technicians and Lifestyle Block streams | Room 507 & 508 Level 5 |
| 12.30pm | Lunch | Exhibition Hall Level 3 |
| 1.30pm | Emergency anaesthesia: The equine edition | Marcia Fletcher The risk of anaesthetic related death to equine patients markedly increases when they are considered sick and compromised. Abdominal emergencies such as colic and uroperitoneum are two of the most critical equine patients we anaesthetise. This lecture describes the pathophysiology of each condition, as well as the likely anaesthetic complications. Monitoring and support is described in depth to help get these intense cases though their anaesthesia and into recovery. | Room 514 Level 5 |
| 2.30pm | Introduction to laser therapy in horses, dogs and cats | Huisheng Xie Laser stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation and has been used in veterinary medicine since the 1970s. This introductory presentation will review laser classifications and key treatment parameters, including wavelength, power, treatment time, dose, and frequency. The session will focus on practical application of Class IV laser therapy in horses, dogs, and cats, with emphasis on musculoskeletal conditions and wound management. Practical guidelines for effective treatment delivery, appropriate dosing, and safety considerations will be discussed. Case examples will be included to demonstrate clinical use and expected outcomes. Shared talk with Complementary Veterinary Medicine stream | Room 518 Level 5 |
| 3.30pm | Afternoon tea | Exhibition Hall Level 3 |
| 4pm | Identifying stressors of therapeutic riding on horses | Kristina Naden There is a wide range of research focusing on the impact of therapeutic riding for humans, however there is minimal research into the impacts for the equines involved in this type of animal-assisted therapy. This study is the last phase of a PhD research project into the role of horses used for therapeutic riding, by the New Zealand Riding for the Disabled Association. This phase of the project aims to identify if specific activities carried out during a therapeutic riding session create stress-related behaviours, or stress-related physiological changes in horses. | Room 514 Level 5 |
| 4.30pm | A national equine identification and traceability system for emergency preparedness and response in New Zealand | NZEHA | Room 514 Level 5 |
| 5pm | Care of the orphaned foal | Bonny Millar | Room 514 Level 5 |
| 5.45pm | NZVA Awards | Theatre A Level 5 |
| 6.30pm | Networking dinner | Exhibition Hall Level 3 |
| Combined session with another stream. |
This programme was correct at the time of publication. Speakers and titles are subject to change. |