The VET Festival has announced its speaker line up for this year's event, taking place on the 3^rd & 4^th June at Loseley Park in Guildford, Surrey.

The 21 hand-picked speakers include respected opinion formers from across the USA, Canada and the UK who are veterinary specialists and experts in fields including clinical & surgical orthopaedics, soft tissue surgery, medical & surgical oncology, neurology & neurosurgery, minimally invasive surgery & diagnostics, anaesthesia, diagnostic imaging, physiotherapy, sports medicine & rehabilitation, anaesthesia & critical care, nutrition, feline medicine & surgery and practice management & team building.

The organisers say this is a unique and unrivalled opportunity to hear, learn and network with some of the greatest minds in the veterinary world at a dynamic and engaging two-day outdoor conference designed for veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, veterinary rehab practitioners, practice support staff, managers and allied veterinary professionals working in companion animal practice.

Internationally-based speakers not available on the usual speaker circuit for primary care clinicians, include:

• Dr Kristen Kirkby-Shaw, Small Animal Surgeon & Rehabilitation Specialist at Animal Surgical Clinic of Seattle, USA
• Professor Michael Kowaleski, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in Boston Massachusetts, USA
• Dr Julius Liptak, Chief Surgeon in Soft Tissue & Oncology at Alta Vista Animal Hospital in Ottawa, Canada
• Dr Phillip Mayhew, Associate Professor of Small Animal Surgery & Section Chief of Soft Tissue Surgery at UC David School of Veterinary Medicine in California, USA
• Dr Joseph Wakshlag, Associate Professor of Clinical Nutrition and Sports Medicine/Rehabilitation at Cornell University College of Medicine in New York, USA
• Dr Ernie Ward, Founder of Seaside Animal Care in North Carolina, USA  
• Dr Russell Tucker, Associate Professor Faculty of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, USA

The 2016 conference will also welcome thought leaders currently practicing here in the UK, including:

• Professor Noel Fitzpatrick Director Fitzpatrick Referrals and Fitzbionics, and Professor of Veterinary Orthopaedics, University of Surrey, Surrey, UK 
• Dr Tom Harcourt-Brown, Head of Department of Neurology, School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, UK
• Professor Nick Bacon, Senior Surgeon Soft Tissue and Chief of Oncology, Fitzpatrick Referrals, and Professor of Veterinary Oncology, University of Surrey, Surrey, UK
• Dr Paddy Mannion, Specialist at Cambridge Radiology Referrals in Cambridge, UK
• Dr Clare Rusbridge, Chief of Neurology, Fitzpatrick Referrals, and Reader in Veterinary Neurology, University of Surrey, Surrey, UK
• Dr Kelvin Kow Senior Consultant in Medical Oncology, Fitzpatrick Referrals, Surrey, UK
• Dr Brian Faulkner, Veterinary Clinician, Consultant and Confidence Coach, The Colourful Consultancy, Suffolk, UK    
• Dr Elise Robertson Specialist in Feline Practice at Feline Vet Referrals in South East UK 
• Dr Laurent Findji, Senior Surgeon Soft Tissue and Oncology, Fitzpatrick Referrals, Surrey, UK

There will be a focus on minimally invasive diagnostics and surgery lead by Phillip Mayhew from the University of Davis California and Elise Robertson will talk about minimally invasive endoscopy techniques in cats whilst Michael Kowaleski from Tufts University, Boston, and Noel Fitzpatrick will talk about arthroscopy of joints. There will also be a specific focus on diagnostic imaging with Russell Tucker from Washington State University sharing his nearly 40 years of experience with radiography, MRI and CT. Cancer is a huge area of increased interest in small animal practice currently and will be explored by a world-class team including Julius Liptak, Nick Bacon and Laurent Findji. 

The growing importance of practice management and team-building prompted organisers to ask Brian Faulkner from the UK and Ernie Ward from the USA, both internationally recognised leaders in veterinary business training, to set up a mini-symposium in management and motivation. The objective is to keep the lectures practical and give delegates information that they can use every day, not just facts and figures. 

Unlike conventional conferences, the VET Festival is staged outdoors in marquees alongside festival food and drinks and companies and organisations showcasing new technologies and products. Organisers say that this unique ‘fresh air’ festival environment creates a relaxed and fun atmosphere which is more conducive to learning and networking. There will be live music on both nights of the Festival with multiple bands contributing to the festival atmosphere, culminating in the ONE LIVE music concert on the final night.

For more information and to register for an early bird delegate discount visit www.vetfestival.co.uk

PS: Whilst you're here, take a moment to see our latest job opportunities for vet nurses.