The Vet Pod

The Vet Pod The Vet Pod, keeps your finger on the pulse. The Vet Pod is a podcast for vets and vet nurses in Ireland.

The Vet Pod provides learning through engaging and technical discussions, subject to CPD accreditation.

01/09/2026

Ep 52: Beyond the Conventional - Alternative Medicines in Veterinary Practices

In this episode, Amy is looking at the various instances in a veterinary practice, where alternative medicines may see application.

We first hear from Caroline Ingraham, founder of Applied Zoopharmacognosy and the Ingraham Method of Individualised Medicine (IMIM), and Dr. Brett Bard, holistic vet at Tortoiseback Farm in South Africa. The pair discuss with Amy how their study and research into Applied Zoopharmacognosy highly revolves around domestic and captive animals and bringing to them the remedies that suit their conditions.

Following on is Dr. Lorena Lloret, a Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) practitioner, certified in Veterinary Acupuncture, Food Therapy, and Chinese Herbal Medicine. She joins Amy to share how keeping the best health possible in animals is motivated by their body, mind and spirit trying to achieve a balance.

All associated links can be found in our WhatsApp Community group.

Listen to The Vet Pod wherever you get your podcasts or visit https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0x-2lw0.

Note: There will be no CVE credits available for this episode.

18/08/2026

Ep 51: The Selective Approach – Rethinking Dry Cow Therapy

In this episode, Charles documents the recent developments and latest findings surrounding selective dry cow therapy in Ireland.

He also shares his thoughts on the new academic veterinary medicine programs being enrolled in SETU and ATU, the danger of worm eggs hatching once the dry spell of weather ends, and the upcoming “Wheels n Heels” fundraiser, taking place on Saturday, September 12th.

Dairy Cow Mastitis Research Officer with Teagasc, Pablo Silva Bolona, joins Charles to discuss his passion for mastitis control and milk quality. Pablo recounts how he came to working with Teagasc through spending summers in Ireland, while conducting his PhD research into milking efficiency with the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Originally from Chile, we also learn from Pablo how the vet profession in his native country is vastly different to in Ireland, due to there being more vets and less opportunities to take up the positions that are needed, along with a lack of practices that are available to join.

Listen to The Vet Pod wherever you get your podcasts or visit https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0xJxp00.

Note: There will be no CVE credits available for this episode.

05/08/2026

Ep 50: The Eye Opener – An Ophthalmologist’s Insight

In this episode, it’s host-on-host, as Natasha takes the interview hotseat and Amy quizzes her on all things, eyes.

A specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology, Natasha discusses the various aspects of her profession and practice, both challenging and rewarding.

Particularly, we hear how in certain cases, Natasha recommends that the best possible outcome for ophthalmological pain reduction is to remove an animal’s eye, despite owners’ protests, to ensure their pet endures the least amount of pain, going forward.

Furthermore, Natasha reveals that the option to operate on an animal’s eyes is not always the one that should be followed, and is actually, in some circumstances, a last resort for treating the animal.

All associated links can be found in our WhatsApp Community group. WhatsApp Group Invite (https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0xsWRK0)

Listen to The Vet Pod wherever you get your podcasts or visit https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0xsWQz0.

Note: There will be no CVE credits available for this episode.

21/07/2026

Ep 49: One Practice, One Team - A Whole Team Approach

In this episode, Natasha and Amy discuss the importance of a whole team approach within veterinary practice and how empowering every member of the team can lead to better patient care, stronger workplace culture, and improved practice performance.

They also give an update on the Vets Without Borders "Wheels 'n' HEELS" fundraiser, along with the latest IVNA news.

First up is RVN and founder of Vet Assist, Melanie O’Donoghue, who joins the podcast to discuss the vital role that veterinary nurses, receptionists, and the wider practice team play in creating a thriving practice. Drawing on her experience in practice and team development, Melanie shares how making the most of every team member can transform the way practices work from the ground up.

Also joining the podcast are Danni Bowers, Chief Commercial Officer, and Danielle Poole, President of the British Veterinary Receptionist Association (BVRA). They discuss the BVRA's mission to support and champion veterinary receptionists through training, education, and professional development, while highlighting the invaluable contribution reception teams make to the success of every veterinary practice.

All associated links can be found in our WhatsApp Community group. WhatsApp Group Invite (https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0x2LyX0)

Listen to The Vet Pod wherever you get your podcasts or visit https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0x2Lsj0.

07/07/2026

Ep 48: Difficult Conversations – Conflict in the Workplace

In this episode, Natasha and Amy are tackling workplace conflicts and complaints in vet clinics; an uncomfortable topic, but one that is important for both employers and employees to understand.

They also talk about the mass exodus of Munster-based vets to Sydney, Australia, along with the recent appointment of UCD’s first ever veterinary ophthalmologist, Louise O’Leary.

We hear first from Dr. Lisa Reidy, veterinary surgeon and employment law consultant, who, through several years of experience with employee mediation, explains the importance of the person in the middle, or ‘mediator’, in communicating the grievances of both parties and how they are willing to compromise.

We hear also from Richard Green and Kirsty Sturman, members of the Claims and Training teams, respectively, from the Veterinary Defence Society Team, who discuss how complaints become harder and harder to resolve the longer they are avoided, and to deal with them, as soon as they arise.

Don’t miss this week’s VetVoice section, where we hear from Valerie Sheehy, Vet at Deelside Veterinary Clinic in Rathkeale, Co. Limerick.

All associated links can be found in our WhatsApp Community group. WhatsApp Group Invite (https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0wL2mq0)

Listen to The Vet Pod wherever you get your podcasts or go to https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0wL2LM0 (https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0wL1Nd0).

Note: There will be no CVE credits available for this episode.

25/06/2026

Pain Management – Prioritising Our Patients’ Comfort

Amy first speaks to Evanne Bourke, a UCD graduate and owner of a small animal pain management clinic based largely between Galway and Cork, who shares advice on how to approach owners about checking at home if their pet is in pain, through pain score sheets and taking videos.

Next, Amy hears from Deirdre Duggan, a Small Animal Rehabilitation therapist and owner of the Cork-based business, Pet Paws Physio, who discusses the benefits of physiotherapy for treating any condition that affects the mobility of an animal and causes pain.

Don’t miss this week’s VetVoice section, where we hear from Ariana Mezzapella, Vet at Highfield Veterinary Group in Naas.

All associated links can be found in our WhatsApp Community group. WhatsApp Group Invite (https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0wncL80)

Listen to The Vet Pod wherever you get your podcasts or go to https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0wndDj0 (https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0wnd_w0).

Note: There will be no CVE credits available for this episode.

23/06/2026

Pain Management – Prioritising Our Patients’ Comfort

In this episode, Natasha and Amy are investigating the various approaches towards making patients as comfortable as possible and avoiding as much pain as necessary.

They also talk about the upcoming Aleen Cust Symposium and the release of the TASAH Scheme, a new advisory program that offers various schemes.

Don’t miss this week’s VetVoice section, where we hear from Ariana Mezzapella, Vet at Highfield Veterinary Group in Naas.

All associated links can be found in our WhatsApp Community group. WhatsApp Group Invite (https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0wnc9L0)

Listen to The Vet Pod wherever you get your podcasts or go to https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0wnd0T0 (https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0wndD90).

Note: There will be no CVE credits available for this episode.

09/06/2026

Ep 46: Going the Extra Mile – Exploring Charitable Veterinary Organizations

In this episode, Charles and Amy are taking a look at charity veterinary organisations and the effort that goes in to keeping these practices up-and-running, to help any and all animals in need.

They also discuss Charles’ return to bike training ahead of the Wheels without Borders (Bike or Hike) fundraising challenge happening September 12th in Co. Waterford and Amy’s new dental veterinary job in Leeds that she’ll be starting in July

We first hear from former Leinster Rugby player and regular contributor on RTE’s The Shelter: Animal SOS, Elise O’Byrne-White. Elise is also a Veterinary Surgeon and Veterinary Director of the NSPCA and joins Amy to discuss how her unique role gives her a strong level of governance within the animal welfare sector.

Amy also speaks to Julie Cronin, Chairperson of Wildlife Rescue Cork, established in 2017. Julie talks about how the organisation has grown from just herself working in a shed in Cork to now being able to rescue animals throughout most of Munster, and how it is a job worth doing to get wildlife back where it belongs.

Finally, Amy is joined by Brooke Loewenthal, Senior Animal Care Manager at Seal Rescue Ireland. Brooke shares how the work the team do is seasonal-based, taking in mainly newborn pups that are underweight, malnourished, emaciated and injured.

Don’t miss this week’s VetVoice section, where we hear from Emma McAffrey, a Mixed Animal Vet at Ballinrobe Veterinary Clinic, who caught up with Producer Sarah at the recent DairyCon event.

All associated links can be found in our WhatsApp Community group. https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0v_rYH0

Listen to The Vet Pod wherever you get your podcasts or go to https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0v_qGb0

Note: There will be no CVE credits available for this episode.

26/05/2026

Ep 45: Reduce, Reuse, Re-Farm – Investigating Regenerative Farming

In this episode, Charles and Amy are tackling regenerative farming, now that farmers are needing to become more and more resilient, with farms that are sustainable and adaptable to change.

They also discuss Teagasc’s search for a vet panel to look after their livestock, the VetLife charity’s upcoming fundraiser that will see a roof climb of Alexandra Palace and how EU Pet Passports will no longer be valid for pet owners of dogs, cats and ferrets, from countries outside of Europe (including the UK).

First up is Lee-Anne Oliver, Director and Veterinary Consultant at Ruminant Revival in the UK, who speaks with Charles about how choosing to farm regeneratively must stem from a belief that what you are doing is going to benefit you, your animals or your farm.

Also joining Charles is Vet, Dairy Farmer and member of the Veterinary Herd Health Advisory, Gillian O’Sullivan, who is also Charles’ own neighbour! She discusses how ‘regen’ farming relates to improving soil health and resilience to external shock, that will provide a farm with capacity to deal with unforeseen external circumstances

Don’t miss this week’s VetVoice section, where we hear from Paddy McGinn, at DairyCon in Kilkenny.

A code for claiming CVE credits will be mentioned during this episode. CVE credits are only available to paying subscribers.

All associated links can be found in our WhatsApp Community group: link in bio.

Listen to The Vet Pod wherever you get your podcasts or go to https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0vChR30.

20/05/2026

The Vet Pod are at DairyCon for the next 2 days in Kilkenny. Host Charles Chavasse talk through our offer available to artendees. Sign up for a free 3 month subscription and be in with a chance of winning a €250 FBD Hotel Voucher. Call to our stand t DairyCon #

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