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PURINA® PRO PLAN® Vet Nurse Symposium 2024
Empowering the Vet Nurse Journey
Date: 11th December 2024
Time: From 14.00 to 18.30 (GMT) / 15.00 to 19.30 (CEST)
Location: Virtual
Purina Pro Plan is excited to announce the upcoming PURINA® PRO PLAN® Vet Nurse Symposium 2024, which will be held virtually on the 11th of December. This symposium is a dedicated event for the veterinary nurse community, to recognise their vital role in the pet healthcare industry.
During the symposium, high level key opinion leaders will provide practical insights on key topics that are of interest to veterinary nurses. These topics include:
We are committed to providing valuable knowledge and resources to empower veterinary nurses in their professional journey.
During the symposium, high level key opinion leaders will provide practical insights on key topics that are of interest to veterinary nurses. These topics include:
- Adverse food reactions and probiotics: Offering practical insights and guidance on managing adverse food reactions and the use of probiotics in veterinary practice.
- Building strong client relationships: Exploring strategies to maintain strong personal and professional connections with clients, including initiating key nutrition conversations and effectively managing potential conflicts.
- Promoting mental well-being: Sharing tips and tricks to support the mental wellbeing of veterinary nurses, who play an instrumental role in maintaining the bond between veterinarians and pet owners.
- In-clinic tools and resources: Presenting the Purina in-clinic tools designed to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in daily clinic operations.
We are committed to providing valuable knowledge and resources to empower veterinary nurses in their professional journey.
Meet the experts
![Dr. Jason Gagné](/sites/default/files/Villaverde%20pic%20%281%29%20%283%29.jpg)
Dr. Cecilia Villaverde
BVSc, PhD, DECVCN, DACVIM (Nutrition) Consultant at Expert Pet Nutrition
Cecilia Villaverde Haro, BVSc, PhD, Diplomate (Nutrition) of the ACVIM (Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionist®), Diplomate ECVCN (EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition)
She obtained her veterinary degree in 2000 and her PhD in animal nutrition in 2005 by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Spain. She worked as a post doctoral researcher in feline nutrition at the University of California Davis, where she also completed a residency in small animal clinical nutrition at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. She is board certified in veterinary nutrition by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Nutrition) and by the European College of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition (ECVCN) since 2010 and is currently the past president of ECVCN. After working as the chief of service of the veterinary teaching hospital nutrition service in Barcelona (UAB) for 6 years, she is now a consultant in clinical nutrition for Expert Pet Nutrition (www.expertpetnutrition.com) and Veterinary Information Network (VIN). She is the co-chair of the WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee and has written several articles and book chapters on the topic of companion animal nutrition.
![akathrani](/sites/default/files/akathrani%20%281%29.jpg)
Dr. Aarti Kathrani
BVetMed (Hons), PhD, DACVIM, DACVN, FHEA, MRCVS, Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Internal Medicine at Royal Veterinary College
Aarti graduated from the RVC in 2006, before completing her rotating
small animal medicine and surgery internship at the Queen Mother Hospital
for Animals, RVC, in 2007 and her PhD in canine inflammatory bowel
disease at the RVC in 2011. Aarti then completed a three year residency
program in small animal internal medicine at Cornell University in
2014 and is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal
Medicine (SAIM). She also completed a two year small animal clinical
nutrition residency program at the University of California-Davis in
2016. She is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary
Internal Medicine (Nutrition). Aarti was appointed as a Senior
Lecturer in Small Animal Medicine at the University of Bristol
between 2016 and 2018, before returning to the RVC in 2018.
![akathrani](/sites/default/files/Susan%20Campbell%20%281%29.jpg)
Dr. Susan Campbell
VNcertSAN VNcertECC DipAVN(medical) RVN MBVNA - Nutrition Nurse at Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies
Having worked in first-opinion and all small animal specialist departments of a teaching hospital and private referral hospital in Scotland since 2000, I found my true passion and became the Dick Vet nutrition nurse in 2015. I have expanded the Fit for Life nutrition service to provide bespoke nutrition advice to any referred patient from our specialist vet teams and first-opinion clinic. I also run follow-up clinics to monitor these patients and support clients implementing a specific diet plan at home. On a daily basis I help with the needs of in-patient feeding plans and teach our undergraduate vet students during lectures, clinical skills sessions and practical assessments. Evidence based veterinary medicine is a particular interest of mine and I have daily duties being involved with the hospital’s clinical research projects.
I enjoy time off taking care of my home and garden which I share with my husband, 2 dogs, 3 chickens and honey-bee hives. We enjoy the great outdoors walking mountains, rock climbing, cycling and motor biking. In February 2021, in snow and ice, I started outdoor swimming. I have continued twice weekly in the sea, reservoirs, rivers and lochs of Scotland.
![akathrani](/sites/default/files/Julie%20headshot%203%20%282%29.jpg)
Dr. Julie Churchill
DVM, PhD, Diplomate DACIM-Nutrition, Professor, Veterinary Nutrition at University of Minnesota Mental Health Advocate-QPR and ASIST certified
Dr. Churchill is Professor at the UMN CVM and a Diplomate of the American
College of Veterinary Internal Medicine-Nutrition. She completed two
residencies and her PhD at the U of M (internal medicine and clinical
nutrition) before taking a faculty position there. She is passionate
about all aspects of small animal nutrition including the role of
addressing changes in nutritional needs of patients throughout life
during health and disease. Dr. Churchill serves on the Boards of Pet
Nutrition Alliance and the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention.
![Jill Macdonald](/sites/default/files/JILL%20%281%29%20%281%29%20%281%29.jpg)
Dr. Jill Macdonald
DipAVN (Surgical) RVN FHEA
Jill has been a veterinary nurse in the UK for over 20 years, and has worked as a head nurse, clinical coach and assessor, and in veterinary undergraduate and postgraduate education. She has a passion for veterinary communication and has worked on this area with veterinary undergraduates at several veterinary schools, and with nurses studying for the Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Nursing. A recent research project developed a comprehensive framework specifically focussed on veterinary nurse-client communication.
Jill founded, owns and manages ONCORE ePD, who provide online CPD for the veterinary profession.
In January 2019, Jill took up a post with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons to lead the VN Futures Project; an initiative which aims to address the challenges and exploit the opportunities in the Veterinary Nursing profession in the UK.
![Rosa Carbonell](/sites/default/files/Rosa%20Foto%20%281%29%20%281%29.jpg)
Rosa Carbonell
Head of B2B & Veterinary Affairs at Nestlé Purina PetCare & FEDIAF President
Rosa has held various leadership roles, she started her career in UNILEVER
Spain, in concrete in the FIC (Food Industry Cleaning), then moved to
Rhone-Mériuex as Marketing Director in Spain and quickly she had been
promoted as European Marketing Director at Merial SAS in France, where she
established marketing networks, developed strategies for key product
portfolios, and coordinated product launches and business development.
She decided to relocate to Spain and joined a new role as Specialist
Business Unit Director at Nestlé Petcare España S.A., then she joined the
European team in Switzerland as Head of Veterinary Channel EMENA were she
developed a regional expansion model, implemented a new business model, and
led the execution of growth, profit, and market share objectives. She moved
to the international hub in Barcelona as Head of Veterinary Advocacy Zone
Europe and recently she has been appointed as Head of B2B and Veterinary
Affairs Zone Europe with focus on driving business transformation, creating
a robust B2B strategy, recommending portfolio strategies, and developing
strategic alliances and partnerships. She is currently FEDIAF President
(Europan Petfood Industry) and member of the Board of Directors
![Dr. Jenifer Molina](/sites/default/files/Jenifer%20Molina%20%282%29%20%281%29.jpeg)
Dr. Jenifer Molina
NPPE VHCP Scientific Affairs Manager at Nestlé Purina PetCare
Jenifer finished her Veterinary degree in 2010 and her residency program in Small Animal Nutrition in 2016.
She is doctor (PhD) in veterinary medicine and has worked as an associate professor in pet nutrition in the
Veterinary School of the Universitat Autònoma of Barcelona (UAB) (Spain) where she was also managing the research
line in pet nutrition of the Animal Nutrition and Welfare Service. She was in charge of the Small Animal
Clinical Nutrition Service in the Hospital Clínic Veterinari (UAB). She joined Nestlé PURINA EMENA in 2017 and
she is currently the Vet Health Care Professionals Scientific Affairs at Nestlé PURINA Europe. Jenifer has
scientific communications in national and international congresses and publications in national and
international peer reviewed journals.
![Dr. Daniel Rodes](/sites/default/files/Daniel%20Rodes.jpeg)
Dr. Daniel Rodes
Regional Leader Purina Institute NPP Europe at Nestlé Purina PetCare
After graduating from the Veterinary Faculty (Zaragoza-Spain), Daniel spent five
years dedicated to research in several areas impacting pet health and animal
welfare followed by a PhD at the University of Zaragoza. Daniel was
subsequently appointed as Technician for Scientific Services in relevant
Pharmaceutical companies in the Pet Health sector, followed by a move to
Regional and Global Marketing and Technical positions with a strong
communication role during 15 years. Daniel obtained several certificates
and awards along his professional career, with special focus in the area of
Science, Marketing and Communication. In 2018, coinciding with the
foundation of the Purina Institute, Daniel took its regional leadership
covering the area of EMENA as part of Nestlé Purina PetCare. Since then,
through the amplification of the Purina Institute, as the voice of Purina´s
research in the area of pet nutrition, Daniel has played an active role
sharing fact-based research and scientific perspectives on key nutrition
topics. He has hosted dozens of scientific events, and facilitated nutrition
conversations via partnerships with relevant regional organizations and
societies, such as the European Congress of Veterinary Internal Medicine
(ECVIM-CA), the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM), European
College of Veterinary Comparative Nutrition (ECVCN), and European Society of
Comparative Gastroenterology (ESCG), among others.
Agenda
Hour | Topic | Speaker |
---|---|---|
15:00h (CEST) | Welcome |
|
15:05h (CEST) | Tips & Tricks for a Healthy Virtual Meeting | |
15:10h (CEST) | Basics of the Petfood Industry: Labelling* | Dr. Cecilia Villaverde |
15:40h (CEST) | Basics of Dietary Management for Food Adverse Reactions | Dr. Cecilia Villaverde |
16:10h (CEST) | Fecal Microbiota Transplantation: Recent Advances & protocols | Dr Kathrin Busch |
16:40h (CEST) | Coffee Break & Mixed Reality Experience | |
16:50h (CEST) | Myths & Facts of Acute Gastrointestinal Disease | Dr. Aarti Kathrani |
17:20h (CEST) | How to Initiate Nutrition Conversations: Tips & Tricks* | |
17:50h (CEST) | Purina Key tools |
|
18:10h (CEST) | Energizing Stretching Session | |
18:25h (CEST) | Client Classification and Tips to Deal with Complicated Clients* | Dr. Susan Campbell |
18:55h (CEST) | Managing and Mastering Your Crucial Role in the Vet-Owner Relationship* | Dr. Jill Macdonald |
19:25h (CEST) | Wrap up of the Day |
|
* Session suitable for Vet Receptionists and other clinic staff