Speakers - VICAS

Darragh is a veterinary dermatologist, actively involved in the European Society of Veterinary Dermatology.  Darragh enjoys all things dermatology, from ears to anal glands, with a special interest in immune-mediated dermatoses such as allergies.  Darragh accepts dermatology referrals from all over Ireland, performing advanced dermatological procedures such as intradermal testing and otoendoscopy. 

Jon was born into a veterinary family and spent several years working in first opinion small animal practice followed by a short spell in sole charge OOH practice. He has worked at the Royal Veterinary College, University of Cambridge and University of Edinburgh. He was Professor in small animal surgery at the University of Nottingham 2020-2025 and has been head of soft tissue surgery at Wear Referrals (a Linneaus hospital in County Durham) since 2019. He regularly lectures nationally and internationally, publishes peer-reviewed literature and there's not many months go by that he isn't involved in practical surgical teaching or postgraduate examinations. His combination of experience in first opinion and specialist practice allows him to connect with a wide audience and make topics relevant and accessible to veterinary professionals of all levels of experience. Even surgery can be interesting. 

Julie is an RCVS and EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary Cardiology. She received her veterinary degree from the University of Liverpool in 2011. Following several years in first opinion practice, she completed her rotating internship and residency in cardiology at the University of Liverpool Small Animal Teaching Hospital (SATH) before achieving specialist status in 2021. During that time, Julie also completed the RCVS certificate of advanced veterinary practice in small animal medicine. She is currently the senior referral vet of Hillsborough Veterinary Referrals in Northern Ireland, leading the cardiology service that offers both medical and interventional cardiac procedures. She is also a visiting lecturer in cardiology to University College Dublin and a module coordinator for the University of Liverpool’s Postgraduate Unit. 

Veterinary Cardiologist & Interventional Coach 

Mike qualified from University College Dublin, Ireland, in 1986. He gained the RCVS Diploma in Veterinary Cardiology and Specialist status in 1995 and was re-validated every five years ever since, until 2020 when he retired from clinical practice. He has been both Honorary Secretary and Chairman of the Veterinary Cardiovascular Society (UK), and examiner for the Diploma in Veterinary Cardiology for the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Since 1992 to 2015, he ran his own private referral practice (The Veterinary Cardiorespiratory Centre, Kenilworth). In October 2015 he moved his Cardiology Service into Willows Referral Centre, Solihull, UK. Since the beginning of 2018 he is again self-employed, providing consultancy work, training in cardiac interventions at specialist centres around Europe, as well as lecturing at CPD events around the world.  
He has been honorary cardiology adviser to Twycross Zoo and the Ape Heart Project since 2013. The research is ongoing to determine the cause of sudden death and cardiac fibrosis in the great apes, looking at how best to detect it earlier, leading to prevention.
He has published over 40 scientific peer reviewed papers. He is author of two textbooks: Small Animal ECGs: An Introductory Guide (3^rd edition) and Cardiorespiratory Diseases of the Dog and Cat (2^nd edition) published by Wiley-Blackwell. He is author of the chapter on ‘Syncope’ in the Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Ettinger, Feldman & Cote, 8^th & 9^th Editions 2017 & 2024). 
He is the recipient of BSAVA awards: in 1993 the Dunkin Award, in 2000 the Melton Award, in 2006 the Petsavers Award, in 2010 the Dunkin & Blaine Awards and in 2017 the JSAP Achievement Award. He is an Honorary Life member of the Cardiovascular Society (2024). 
His current work involves lecturing at meetings and congresses, and hands-on teaching skills (echo, ECGs, cardiac catheterisation).

European and RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Neurology 

Sebastien is the current head of service of the neurology-neurosurgery team at Willows Referral (UK) and neurology consultant for Vet3D. 
He graduated from the Veterinary School of Toulouse, France, presenting his thesis on ‘Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins in the Dog’, awarded by the French Companion Animal Veterinary Association and the University of Medicine Paul Sabatier of Toulouse. 
Following an internship and a residency in Neurology and Neurosurgery at Fregis small animal hospital in Paris, Sebastien was awarded the Diploma of the European College of Veterinary Neurology and, the following year, he was recognised as an RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Neurology. 
Sebastien has special interest in neurosurgery and in particular advanced spinal surgery using 3D printing which has been pioneered at Willows with Bill Oxley (Vet3D).  
He is the past associate editor for neurology of the Journal of Small Animal Practice and a past member of the Credential and Examination Committee of the European College in Veterinary Neurology. Sebastien is currently associate editor at Frontiers in Veterinary Neurology and Neurosurgery. 
Sebastien has published numerous original scientific papers, most recently focusing on 3D printing in spinal surgery, and regularly contributes to CPD courses and lectures nationally and internationally.