2022
Fellowship in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics, & Law (FANZCVS AWSEL)
Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists
2021
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Massey University
2016
Postgraduate Diploma in Veterinary Clinical Science (PGDipVCS)
With Distinction
Massey University
2012
Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc)
With Distinction
Massey University
“My mission is to advance knowledge and understanding of animal welfare in Aotearoa and beyond and to foster collaboration and connection among stakeholders. Animal welfare is not only a scientific and ethical issue, but also a social and cultural one, and advances require a multidisciplinary and inclusive approach.”
I am New Zealand’s only registered veterinary specialist in Animal Welfare, Ethics, and Law. I have over a decade of experience in veterinary education, international animal welfare, trade, and policy.
I completed my veterinary degree at Massey University in 2012. In the 11 years since, I have worked in clinical practice in Aotearoa New Zealand, completed a PhD research degree and tertiary teaching qualifications, and taught a wide variety of veterinary and animal science subjects at university level. In 2012, I spent a year as a rotating intern at a specialist small animal veterinary clinic before becoming a locum small animal veterinarian in Auckland. In 2016, I began PhD research on the veterinarians’ role in end-of-life management of animals. I first authored four peer-reviewed publications for my thesis and was awarded my PhD in 2022.
I have taught at Massey University since 2015 and am currently employed as a Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Science at Tāwharau Ora. After completing advanced (residency) training and examinations, I am New Zealand’s only Registered Veterinary Specialist in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics, & Law. I am currently involved in redesigning the BVSc curriculum at Tāwharau Ora, emphasising professional ethics and animal welfare competencies.
I am committed to promoting One Welfare, recognising the interconnections between animal welfare, human well-being, and environmental sustainability.
My expertise in policy advice is sought and highly valued. My consultations for MPI during the early stages of the production of new or updated Codes of Welfare and Animal Welfare Regulations have been instrumental in shaping these policies.
I work to operationalise the Five Domains Model for animal welfare assessment and training, which incorporates the impact of human-animal interactions on animals’ mental states. The Model is internationally recognised, and multiple organisations support its use. The Model has been adopted as the theoretical basis of welfare assessment by at least 56 NGOs, industry bodies and companies worldwide, notably the International Whaling Commission, World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and Tyson Foods Inc. Due to my intimate involvement in The Model’s development, I have also been asked to work with the NZVA and international SPCAs to update their animal welfare policies and incorporate the Five Domains Model into their training materials.
As part of my work to foster international collaboration on welfare standards, I am a member of the Morris Animal Foundation Animal Welfare Advisory Board and the WSAVA Animal Wellness and Welfare Committee. I am active in the media and regularly appear on national radio, where I field questions about animal care.
I use social science approaches to explore complex human-animal interactions and decisions. My research interests include understanding how people perceive and influence animal welfare, developing systematic methods to assess and improve animal welfare, and implementing effective animal welfare policies and standards. I am fascinated by human factors that inform the social acceptability of how animals are managed. I am skilled in designing and undertaking social science research projects and analysing qualitative data, a rare skill set when applied to veterinary science.
I was involved in the most recent update of The Five Domains Model, an internationally recognised scientific framework for animal welfare assessment, which includes consideration of how human-animal interactions might impact animal welfare. Our 2020 article updating the Five Domains Model has been impactful within academia (over 70,000 views and 207 citations) and more broadly. I work with external stakeholders to incorporate the Five Domains into policy and law and continue to provide operational guidance and updates to The Model.
My research is impactful, resulting in multiple invited speaking appearances, expert reactions, consultation requests, and media attention. My work developing systematic methods to assess and improve animal welfare has gained recognition and international acclaim. My membership in the LIFT COST Action group, an international group of leading animal welfare scientists, is a testament to my global impact.
I am experienced and skilled in higher education, with a versatile teaching portfolio. I have taught multiple disciplines and year groups at Massey University. I am experienced in teaching both the preclinical and clinical years of the BVSc degree and small and large groups of learners.
I lead curriculum design and guide high-quality and relevant learning outcomes using evidence-based approaches to veterinary education. We aim to graduate students who are knowledgeable not only in animal welfare science, but who also understand the complexities of social issues, are empathetic to the needs and interests of others, and feel empowered to drive positive change.
I have developed CPD for national and international audiences (e.g., Animal Welfare in China project) and have been asked by the NZVA to develop CPD resources on animal welfare for New Zealand veterinarians.
I have internationally-recognised expertise and influence in higher education. My research is focused on developing the evidence base that guides veterinary training and higher education. The first study in my PhD explored how veterinary students are taught end-of-life decision-making, euthanasia skills, and grief management across all Australasian veterinary schools. As a result of the gaps identified by my research, Australasian veterinary schools have reviewed the professional ethics teaching within their curricula.
I have since published further articles exploring how changes to undergraduate curricula can advance expertise within the veterinary profession (e.g., desexing skills and animal welfare assessment). These examples illustrate my expertise and international influence within veterinary higher education and pedagogy; not only is my teaching research-informed, but I have a leadership role in informing future teaching.