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HomeDairy‘Anyone that works in a veterinary clinic needs upskilling and development’
Catherina Cunnane
Catherina Cunnanehttps://www.thatsfarming.com/
Catherina Cunnane hails from a sixth-generation drystock and specialised pedigree suckler enterprise in Co. Mayo. She currently holds the positions of editor and general manager at That's Farming, having joined the firm during its start-up phase in 2015.
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‘Anyone that works in a veterinary clinic needs upskilling and development’

That’s Farming editor, Catherina Cunnane, in conversation with Sarah Keane, CPD business manager and Registered Veterinary Nurse of Duggan Veterinary Supplies, which follows part one of this two-strong segment, which you can read via this link.

“We are delighted to be hosting Improve Internationals practical weeks here in Duggan Veterinary this year, which involves a full week of practicals for the delegates participating in their surgery certificate and takes place Monday to Friday, with a different topic being taught each day.

It is tiring but also very rewarding, and the interaction and engagement from the delegates are always fantastic.

We have a total of three full weeks of practicals organised for 2023, with Duggans hosting its own orthopaedic week in June, covering topics such as TPLO, CCWO and Arthroscopy.

We are also developing our large animal CPD currently and have confirmed some topics and speakers for 2023, as this is an area we found delegates really eager to participate in.

Topics will include equine medicine and surgery, large animal handling and scanning, lameness examinations and large animal surgery.

Previously, our average number of courses in 2021 was 3 per month. By January 2022, we were up to 1 a week, and now, at the start of 2023, we are currently at 2.5 courses a week.

The demand is there, and there is such a wide range of possibilities, so I cannot see it slowing down anytime soon.

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All veterinary staff

We cater for all veterinary staff, including vets, nurses, practice managers, front office staff and animal care assistants.

Basically, anyone that works in a veterinary clinic needs upskilling and development to keep up with the demands placed on them by the public and owners.

All of our courses are VCI accredited; it is an important part of the process and instils confidence in those attending.

We are all required by law to maintain a certain number of points each year, so attending these courses works towards achieving this.

As the governing body of veterinary in Ireland, it is extremely important to have their support and stamp of approval.

Online webinars

We host a number of online webinars throughout the year. These are facilitated through Zoom, with topics ranging from small animal, large animal, medicine, surgery, diagnostic imaging and dentistry, to name a few.

I normally host them from the Duggan Veterinary clinical skills lab, and it gives people a glimpse of what we are about.

It is a nice introduction to new speakers and topics and always attracts a large number of attendees, with an average of 150 people live on the night.

The platform allows attendees to interact with the speaker and myself, and we normally encourage interaction and engagement using polls and Q and A sessions.

Our courses occur on a Monday-to-Friday basis and kick off early in the morning to allow delegates the maximum amount of time for the practical elements and engagement with the speakers.

The theoretical content normally occurs in the conference room, and delegates move to the clinical skills labs for the practical elements.

A normal course day begins at 9 am with delegates arriving from 8.30 am for the important coffee and chat beforehand.

Finishing at 5 pm, the day includes a lunch break where we use a local family-run deli to provide our famous lunches.

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Trainer-led and feedback

The webinars are trainer led and normally last an hour. We have developed our own CPD website, which allows delegates to register online for the upcoming webinars and also allows delegates to watch back the recordings of the webinars if they cannot attend live on the night.

This also means that if delegates find the pace too quick on the night, they can watch it back in their own time and learn at their own pace.

Vet or nurse students want to log in and join our webinars, and they are always more than welcome, but the CVE points will not apply to them until after their first year of qualification.

CVE points

Normally our delegates do not only attend the webinars to gain the CVE point but to learn about the topics that are of interest to them.

Veterinary practitioners are required to accumulate 20 CVE credits in the CVE year from January 1st to December 31st annually.

Veterinary nurses are required to accumulate 12 CVE credits in the CVE year, from January 1st to December 31st, annually.

If the delegate has registered for our courses through our CPD website, cpd.dugganvet.ie, and inputted all the necessary VCI registration information, they will receive their accreditation that very evening of course completion.

We offer a friendly, welcoming environment, hosting some of the most prestigious speakers and teachers in the country.

Listening to delegates’ feedback allows us to constantly improve and develop our range of topics and courses available.

We strive to bring new courses onsite and work with our wide range of suppliers to use the best of equipment available throughout our CPD days.

You can view and register for all our CPD courses on our CPD website, cpd.dugganvet.ie or contact me directly on [email protected]

We operate an open-door policy, so if you are in the locality at any stage, pop in and say hi.

We would love to see you and are always happy to show off our facilities. The kettle is always on the boil.”

To share your story, email – [email protected]

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