Meet the Speakers​

All speakers and contributors are invited experts, carefully selected to ensure scientific rigor, clinical relevance, and educational value.
Bradley T. Simon
Anesthesiologist
Bruno Pypendop
Professor & Executive Associate Dean
Carl Bradbrook
Veterinary Anaesthetist
Chiara
Professor (Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia)
Eva Rioja Garcia
Clinical Lead and Clinical Director of Anaesthesia and Analgesia
Fernando Martinez Taboada
Owner and Director
Francisco José Texeira-Neto
Full Professor - Veterinary Anesthesia
Frederik Rousseau-Blass
Veterinary Anesthesiologist
Gonçalo da Graça Pereira
Professor Doctor
Jaime Viscasillas
Head of Anaesthesia and Analgesia Service
Jo Murrell
Clinical anaesthetist
Joaquin Araos
Associate Professor
Jose I Redondo
Professor in Veterinary Anaesthesiology
Kris Gommeren
Professor Emergency and Critical Care
Kristen Messenger
Associate Professor of Pharmacology
Leon Warne
Hospital Director & Head of Pain Medicine
Luiz Cesar Pereira Santos
Senior Clinician in Veterinary Anaesthesia
Marta Garbin
Clinical Instructor in Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia
Mathieu Raillard
Associate Professor in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia
Matt Gurney
Veterinary Anaesthesia & Analgesia Specialist
Patricia Ruíz López
Postdoctoral assistant
Polly Taylor
Independent Consultant in Veterinary Anaesthesia
Tim Bosmans
Veterinary Anaesthesiologist
Vanessa Bettembourg
Veterinary anaesthesiologist
Yael Shilo-Benjamini
Senior Clinical Lecturer in Veterinary Anesthesia & Analgesia

Bradley T. Simon

Anesthesiologist

Credentials: DVM, MSc, DACVAA
Institution: Veterinary Dentistry Specialists

Dr. Bradley Simon is a board-certified veterinary anesthesiologist with a distinguished career in clinical service, teaching, and research. He earned both his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Master of Science degrees from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2007 and 2016, respectively. Dr. Simon achieved diplomate status with the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia in 2014 and joined the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. During his tenure, he served as supervisor of the anesthesia residency program (2018–2022), chief of anesthesiology (2021–2022), and was awarded tenure in 2022. He was honored with the Small Animal Clinical Service Award for his outstanding contributions (2018). Dr. Simon is a nationally and internationally recognized speaker, authoring over 40 peer-reviewed publications and co-authoring four book chapters focused on small animal anesthesia and pain management. In July 2022, he joined Veterinary Dentistry Specialists in Katy, Texas, where he specializes in anesthesia and pain management. He also provides research consultations for veterinary institutions across the U.S. Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Simon coaches the Texas A&M Men’s Collegiate Hockey Team and enjoys family adventures in the mountains and at the beach.

Bruno Pypendop

Professor & Executive Associate Dean

Credentials: DrMedVet, DrVetSci, DACVAA
Institution: University of California, Davis

Dr. Pypendop obtained his veterinary degree in 1992, and his DrVetSci degree (PhD equivalent; clinical pharmacology) in 1999, from the University of Liege, Belgium. He completed a residency in anesthesia at the University of California, Davis and obtained board certification by the ACVAA in 2003. He has since been working at the University of California, Davis, where he is a Professor of Veterinary Anesthesia, was the Chair of the Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences and is now the School of Veterinary Medicine’s Executive Associate Dean. His research focuses on the clinical pharmacology of anesthetic and analgesic agents, particularly in cats and has authored over 130 publications.

Carl Bradbrook

Veterinary Anaesthetist

Credentials: BVSc CertVA DiplECVAA FRCVS
Institution: Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists

Carl is a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia and is a co-founder of The Zero Pain Philosophy. Carl worked for many years as an anaesthesia consultant, upskilling multiple vet practices on advanced treatments in anaesthesia and pain management. Carl is a popular and devoted speaker who shares his expertise with global audiences. Carl has worked at Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists in the UK since 2018 and is the Clinical Director. Carl was President of the Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists from 2018-2022. In 2020 Carl was awarded the Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for Meritorious Contribution to Clinical Practice.

Chiara

Professor (Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia)

Credentials: DMV, FRCVS, FHEA, DACVAA, DECVAA, PhD
Institution: University of Cambridge

Chiara always had a keen interest for the Academic environment, where she based most of her career from the early postgraduation years until present. She has achieved a PhD in Veterinary Clinical Sciences and she is a Diplomate of both the European (ECVAA) and the American (ACVAA) Colleges of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. After having completed her training to become a board-certified anaesthetist at the Vetsuisse Faculty of the University of Berne (Switzerland), she was hired by the same Institution as Clinical Lecturer from 2012 until 2015. In 2015, she was appointed as Senior Lecturer (Veterinary Anaesthesia) at the Royal Veterinary College (University of London), with clinical, research and teaching responsibilities. Her current appointment is Professor of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia at the Department of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Cambridge (UK). Pain management and analgesia are her main research interests; at date, her scholarship portfolio comprises about 100 scientific publications between book chapters and peer-review scientific articles.

Eva Rioja Garcia

Clinical Lead and Clinical Director of Anaesthesia and Analgesia

Credentials: Lic. Vet, PhD, DVSc, Dipl. ACVAA, Dipl. ECVAA
Institution: Optivet Referrals

Veterinary graduate and PhD from the University Complutense of Madrid. Post-doctorate fellowship and ACVAA residency at the University of Guelph Ontario Veterinary College. Completed a Doctor in Veterinary Science degree at the Ontario Veterinary College. Diplomate ACVAA in 2009 and Diplomate ECVAA in 2020. Eva has been a senior lecturer at the University of Pretoria (South Africa) and University of Liverpool (UK) and she now works in private practice at Optivet Referrals (UK). Eva has published several peer reviewed articles and book chapters in reference Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia books, both in English and Spanish.

Fernando Martinez Taboada

Owner and Director

Credentials: LV PhD PGCert(Biostats) DipECVAA
Institution: 3A Animal Anaesthesia and Analgesia

Fernando graduated as a veterinarian in Spain and worked for several years in small animal practice both in Spain and the UK. He undertook a residency in anaesthesia and analgesia at the University of Bristol, and he became an European Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia (DipECVAA) in 2010. Over the years, Fernando has worked in and headed anaesthesia departments in multiple private and university teaching hospitals. In recent years, he founded 3A Animal Anaesthesia and Analgesia, and Sydney Animal Pain Clinic. Recently, Fernando left Sydney to relocate to beautiful Melbourne with his family. Fernando’s clinical and research interests focus on the management of acute and chronic pain, especially using loco-regional anaesthesia, and interventional procedures.

Francisco José Texeira-Neto

Full Professor – Veterinary Anesthesia

Credentials: MCs, PhD, Diplomate Brazilian College of Veterinary Anesthesia
Institution: São Paulo State University (UNESP – Botucatu)

After graduating in Veterinary Medicine and completing an internship/residency, I joined the faculty at São Paulo State University (UNESP-Botucatu, Brazil) in December 1995. I hold an MSc degree from UNESP-Botucatu (1998) and a PhD degree from the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph (2003). Currently, I am a Full Professor of Veterinary Anesthesia at UNESP-Botucatu, and I have been a member of the Editorial Board of “Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia” since 2020. Among the 76 scientific articles listed in the “Web of Science,” I have 22 publications with at least 22 citations each (H-index = 22), averaging 17.21 citations per article. My research interests include hemodynamic changes during anesthesia, monitoring, and mechanical ventilation.

Frederik Rousseau-Blass

Veterinary Anesthesiologist

Credentials: DMV, MSc., Dipl. ACVAA
Institution: Centre Vétérinaire Rive-Sud, Vet et Nous

Dr. Rousseau-Blass graduated in 2015 from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Montreal. In 2020, he completed both a Master’s degree in Clinical Sciences and a residency in anesthesiology at the same institution, becoming board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia (ACVAA). Now working at the Centre Vétérinaire Rive-Sud, and previously with E-Vet Mobiles, he has provided anesthesiology training and clinical support to more than 80 veterinary teams across Quebec. His main interests include the prevention of anesthetic complications, pain management, and clinical teaching, with a strong emphasis on improving anesthesia standards and patient safety.

Gonçalo da Graça Pereira

Professor Doctor

Credentials: DVM, MsC, PhD, DipECAWBM(BM), DipECAWBM(AWSEL)
Institution: Egas Moniz School of Health and Science

Veterinary Degree at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Lisbon. Master in Clinical Ethology and Animal Welfare at the Faculty of Veterinary from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. PhD in Veterinary Science at the Institute of Biomedical Science Abel Salazar in O’Porto. EBVS specialist in Behavioural Medicine and Diplomate in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Legislation by the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine. Secretary of the Executive Committee from the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation (EBVS). Vice-President of the European Society of Veterinary Clinical Ethology (ESVCE). President (2017-2020) of the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine (ECAWBM). Founder and President (2011-2017) of PsiAnimal – Portuguese Association of Behavioural Therapy and Animal Welfare. Professor of Animal Behaviour, Welfare and Ethics both in the Veterinary Master and Veterinary Nurse Degree of the Egas Moniz School of Health and Science. Lecturer in Seminars, Conferences and Congresses national and internationally. Author, Co-author and Coordinator of several studies in animal behaviour and welfare science.

Jaime Viscasillas

Head of Anaesthesia and Analgesia Service

Credentials: DVM, ECVAA, PhD
Institution: AniCura Hospital Valencia Sur

Jaime graduated from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Zaragoza in 1998. After several years in general practice, he became a Clinical Instructor in Anaesthesia at the same faculty. He then completed a residency in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia at the Royal Veterinary College, London, where he later worked as a Lecturer. Returning to Spain, he joined CEU-Cardenal Herrera University as Lecturer and obtained his PhD. Since then, he has worked at the referral hospital AniCura Valencia Sur. He has extensive clinical, teaching, and research experience, with a main interest in loco-regional anaesthesia

Jo Murrell

Clinical anaesthetist

Credentials: BVSc. (hons), PhD, DiplECVAA, MRCVS
Institution: Bristol Vet Specialists

Jo Murrell joined Bristol Veterinary Specialists after a career in academia, most recently at Bristol University from 2007-2018. While at Bristol she focussed her time on pain research and clinical anaesthesia and has carried out many studies investigating pain mechanisms and clinical analgesic protocols in cats, dogs and horses. These studies have contributed to the Market Authorisation of methadone and buprenorphine in dogs and cats and buprenorphine in horses. Her work has also clearly demonstrated upregulation of pain pathways in dogs with osteoarthritis, highlighting the need for aggressive pain management in these patients. She has been a Diplomate of the European College in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia since 2002 and enjoys the challenges of clinical anaesthesia. Jo is co-chair of the WSAVA Pain Committee with Professor Paulo Steagall and is passionate about providing best practice in analgesia to cats and dogs.

Joaquin Araos

Associate Professor

Credentials: DVM, PhD, DACVAA
Institution: Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Joaquin Araos obtained his DVM from Universidad Mayor in Santiago, Chile, and went on to complete a rotating internship at Cornell University followed by a residency in veterinary anesthesia and analgesia at the University of Pennsylvania. He then returned to Chile to pursue a PhD in Medical Sciences at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, School of Medicine. Currently, Dr. Araos serves as an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. His research program bridges veterinary and translational medicine, with a focus on improving perioperative ventilation strategies and advancing lung-protective approaches. He has a particular interest in the pathophysiology and treatment of acute cardiopulmonary failure, integrating experimental and clinical models to explore novel therapies and optimize outcomes.

Jose I Redondo

Professor in Veterinary Anaesthesiology

Credentials: DVM, PhD, ECVAA Eligible
Institution: Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera

José I Redondo is Professor of Anaesthesiology at Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, in Valencia (Spain). He is the Principal Investigator of the research group “Advances in Anaesthesia, Analgesia, and Monitoring.” He is a founding member of the Spanish Society of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia (SEAAV), an honorary member of AAAVRA (Argentina) and SAVECH (Chile), and a member of AVEPA’s Anaesthesia Working Group (GAVA) and the Association of Veterinary Anaesthesiologists (AVA). He is Board Eligible for the European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia (ECVAA). He earned his Veterinary Degree (1994), Honours Degree (1995), and PhD (1998) from the University of Córdoba, receiving the Extraordinary Degree Prize. He later completed a master’s in Applied Statistics (2016) at UNED. He holds full authorisation for animal experimentation in Spain, including the design and supervision of procedures for all species. Professor Redondo has published over 150 articles (more than 50 in JCR journals), authored three books, delivered over 250 conference presentations, supervised six PhDs, and led four research projects. He has undertaken research fellowships in Argentina, the UK, and Australia. His main research interests include anaesthetic mortality and complications in small animals, clinical monitoring, novel locoregional techniques, and innovative teaching in veterinary anaesthesia.

Kris Gommeren

Professor Emergency and Critical Care

Credentials: DipECVECC DipECVIM-CA
Institution: Liège University

Kris Gommeren graduated from Ghent University in 2002, where he completed an internship and residency in internal medicine. In 2009, he became a diplomate of the European College of Internal Medicine and worked briefly in a referral practice before moving to the University of Liège, where he developed the ECC service. This emergency and intensive care service of the University of Liège has grown into a service with a team of 14 veterinarians, including specialists, residents in training, ECC-dedicated veterinarians, assisted by 6 ECC veterinary nurses and rotating interns. Together they see more than 3,500 emergency cases every year, offering the best possible care including mechanical ventilation, extracorporeal therapies and transfusions to an average of 8 intensive care patients per day; whilst teaching students the necessary day one competencies about this field. In 2017, Kris became a diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care and in the meantime completed a PhD on the effects of systemic inflammation on the cardiovascular system. He is a recover certified instructor and completed the hemodialysis academy. His research focus is on clinical medicine, and he is the author of peer reviewed papers, book(s), chapters and sections that all aim to help all veterinary practitioners. Kris is former president of the European Society of Emergency and Critical Care (EVECCS), founding member of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care UltraSound (VECCUS) interest group, and co-founder of the Animal Blood Bank Benelux. He is passionate about teaching, especially on point-of-care ultrasound, assessment of the cardiovascular system in critically ill patients, fluid therapy, transfusion medicine and the assessment of volume status and fluid responsiveness.

Kristen Messenger

Associate Professor of Pharmacology

Credentials: DVM, PhD, DACVAA, DACVCP
Institution: Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine

Kristen Messenger is an Associate Professor of Clinical Pharmacology and a Board Certified Specialist in Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia® at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. She trained as a DVM, PhD, DACVAA, and DACVCP at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC. Her lab studies the PK and PD of analgesic drugs in animals of all species and ages. Dr. Messenger is an award-winning educator with a passion for teaching. She has helped coordinate scientific programs for numerous meetings as a member of both the ACVCP and the ACVAA, among other organizations.

Leon Warne

Hospital Director & Head of Pain Medicine

Credentials: BSc(Biol), BBiomedSc(Hons1), BSc, BVMS, MVS, MANZCVS, DACVAA, PhD
Institution: Small Animal Specialist Hospital (SASH) Perth

Dr Leon Warne holds expertise in anaesthesia, pain-medicine, pharmaceutical R&D and higher-education. He graduated with a DVM from Murdoch University (2009). Following graduation, he undertook an internship in emergency and critical-care medicine. Leon joined the University of Melbourne, completing a residency and clinical master’s degree in anaesthesia, as well as a PhD in feline pain-medicine. In 2015 he completed an externship in human trauma management at Royal Melbourne Hospital. Leon is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia; a senior research fellow at Curtin University; and a founder and hospital director of the Small Animal Specialist Hospital (SASH) in Perth, Western Australian. Leon’s research focuses on management and assessment of pain disorders. He has published extensively on the clinical use of CBD in both human and veterinary species.

Luiz Cesar Pereira Santos

Senior Clinician in Veterinary Anaesthesia

Credentials: BVMS, MSc, Dip. ACVAA/ECVAA
Institution: University of Glasgow

I am a board-certified veterinary anaesthesiologist with a strong passion for patient safety, human factors, and the cultural and psychological climate within veterinary organisations. My work focuses on fostering environments that prioritise psychological safety, teamwork, and communication, particularly in high-stress settings.I am a Senior Clinician in Veterinary Anaesthesia at the University of Glasgow, where I integrate simulation-based education to enhance non-technical skills in students, residents, and interns. This method allows learners to practise clinical decision-making, teamwork, and communication without the fear and stress that can arise in real-world. Iam also pursuing a PhD on Applying Human Factors to Improve Patient Safety in Veterinary Medicine, focusing on how factors such as adverse events, team culture, leadership, and psychological safety impact error disclosure and staff wellbeing.

Marta Garbin

Clinical Instructor in Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia

Credentials: DVM, MSc, PhD
Institution: Université de Montréal

Dr. Marta Garbin earned her DVM with full marks at the University of Parma, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Italy, and obtained her Master of Science in veterinary anesthesia from the University of Pisa, also in Italy. After moving to North America, she completed her residency in veterinary anesthesiology and pain management at the University of Florida, USA, and earned her PhD in Veterinary Sciences at the Université de Montréal, Canada. Since 2020, Dr. Marta Garbin has been a clinical instructor in anesthesia and analgesia at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal. Her work combines hands-on clinical experience with a commitment to education and innovation. Passionate about developing strategies that enhance animal welfare, she has gained expertise in locoregional anesthesia, ultrasound-guided techniques, and multimodal pain control for both small and large animals.

ENROLL NOW

Mathieu Raillard

Associate Professor in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia

Credentials: DMV, PhD, MANZCVS, EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia
Institution: School of Veterinary Medicine – Murdoch University

Mathieu graduated from the University of Bologna, Italy, in 2010. After completing a rotating internship at the École Nationale Vétérinaire de Maisons-Alfort, France, followed by a specialty internship in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia at ONIRIS Nantes, France, Mathieu completed an ECVAA residency at the University of Bristol, UK. He also undertook a “Diplôme d’Université” in artificial ventilation at the University of Angers, France. He worked as a clinician at the University of Bern, Switzerland, as a Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia at the University of Sydney, and as an Anaesthesia advisor for one of Europe’s largest corporates. He served as an Associate Editor of the journal Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia between 2018 and 2024. Mathieu recently completed his PhD on the dynamic compliance of the respiratory system in anaesthetised dogs at Murdoch University. He is now an Associate Professor in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia and the current Senior Vice President of the Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists. Mathieu’s main clinical and research interest is in the field of respiratory mechanics and mechanical ventilation across species.

Matt Gurney

Veterinary Anaesthesia & Analgesia Specialist

Credentials: BVSc CertVA PgCertVBM DiplECVAA FRCVS
Institution: Eastcott Referrals/Zero Pain Philosophy

Matt is specialist in anaesthesia and analgesia and trained at the University of Liverpool and works at Eastcott Referrals in the UK as Clinical Director. Matt is passionate about pain management, lectures on the subject globally and is the author of many international anaesthesia publications. Matt is a Past President of the European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia & Analgesia and a Co-Founder of The Zero Pain Philosophy. In 2020 Matt was awarded the Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for Meritorious Contribution to Clinical Practice. 2022 saw Matt awarded the RCVS Knowledge Award for Quality Improvement for launching and implementing a unique anaesthesia safety tool. Matt is one of the co-founders of The Zero Pain Philosophy, an educational resource for vet professionals. www.zeropainphilosophy.com

Patricia Ruíz López

Postdoctoral assistant

Credentials: DVM, MSc, PhD, Dipl. ECVAA, EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia
Institution: Small animals department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghent

Patricia graduated with honours in Physiotherapy, (University of Granada, 2008); in Veterinary Medicine, (University of Córdoba, 2013); and in Master of Science, (University of Córdoba, 2014). She graduated in Clinical Practice and Emergencies in Exotic Animals Master Degree (AEVA, 2014) and in Title of Expert in University Teaching (University of Córdoba, 2019). Patricia became doctor cum laudem in 2020 (University of Córdoba) and ‘EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia’ and ‘Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia’ in 2024. Author of several communications presented in SEAAV (Spanish Society of Anaesthesia and Analgesia Veterinary), AVEPA (Spanish Veterinary Society of Small Animals), SECIVE (Spanish Society of Veterinary Surgery), EVECCS (European Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society) and AVA (Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists) congresses. Author of several papers published in indexed journals and a chapter in a book, Patricia is currently working at the service of Anaesthesia of the Small Animal Department of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (University of Ghent). She also participates in the Postgraduate course in Small Animal Anaesthesia – ISVPS General Practitioner Certificate (GPCert) (Improve Veterinary Education) and at the programme for Small Animals Veterinarians of the Academy for Veterinarians, University of Ghent.

Polly Taylor

Independent Consultant in Veterinary Anaesthesia

Credentials: MA VetMB PhD DVA DipECVAA MRCA FRCVS
Institution: Taylor Monroe

Polly graduated from Cambridge many years ago and worked in general practice then clinical academia in Cambridge University and the Animal Health Trust. Since 2002 she has been an independent consultant in veterinary anaesthesia, covering clinical anaesthesia, teaching, drug registration and research; numerous papers on anaesthesia and analgesia have resulted. Polly is a director of Topcat Metrology Ltd, developing bespoke nociceptive threshold testing systems for several animal species. She was a member of the UK Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs (2002-2010) and has continued to be an advocate for the veterinary profession regarding drug legislation. Her most recent activity putting her head above the parapet is to encourage the profession to understand that overtreatment of animals “just because we can” is often not in their best interests. Polly is trying hard not to grow old! Owns 3 home-bred horses and still regularly competes with them, enjoys gardening and has an engaging 3 year grandson.

Tim Bosmans

Veterinary Anaesthesiologist

Credentials: DVM, PhD, fully trained ECVAA resident
Institution: Ghent University (UGent)

I graduated as a Veterinary Surgeon at Ghent University, Belgium in 2002. After spending some time in private practice, I returned to UGent to work as a clinician at the section of Anaesthesia & Analgesia of the Small Animal Department, where I later completed a PhD-thesis on the subject of “Multimodal intra- and postoperative analgesia in dogs undergoing stifle surgery”. I’m a fully trained ECVAA resident and a member of the Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists (AVA). Currently, I’m head of clinics for the Anaesthesia and Analgesia section of the Small Animal Department of Ghent University and I combine this with a position of freelance anaesthesia & analgesia consultancy. I’m involved in research projects and publish in my fields of interest (author or co-author of 1 book chapter & over 40 peer-reviewed publications). Furthermore, I’m a speaker at national and international conferences and I serve as a reviewer for peer-reviewed international journals. My current topics of particular interest include analgesia and mechanical ventilation. Furthermore, I’m a cat person and my hobbies are mainly sports (triathlon, trail running) and enjoying music.

Vanessa Bettembourg

Veterinary anaesthesiologist

Credentials: Cand.med.vet. Dipl. ECVAA, EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia
Institution: Evidensia

Vanessa graduated from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. After four years in mixed practice in Sweden, she started a specialising internship in anaesthesia at Massey University, New Zealand which was followed by an ECVAA residency at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. Vanessa then spent two years at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), teaching and providing clinical anaesthesia, before taking up her current role as a veterinary anaesthesiologist and residency supervisor at Evidensia Södra Djursjukhuset Kungens Kurva in Sweden. Since 2022, Vanessa is also a part-time PhD student in laboratory animal anaesthesia at SLU. Privately, Vanessa enjoys dog training and western riding and is a proud owner of a jack russel terrier, a quarter horse mare and a crazy cat.

Yael Shilo-Benjamini

Senior Clinical Lecturer in Veterinary Anesthesia & Analgesia

Credentials: DVM, DACVAA
Institution: Koret School of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Yael Shilo-Benjamini graduated from Koret School of Veterinary Medicine (KSVM). In 2007, after working for several years in general practice and in the Anesthesia Department of KSVM Hospital, she took a resident position of Anesthesia and Pain Management at the University of California Davis. In 2010 she became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia. Currently, she is a Senior Clinical Lecturer of Anesthesia and Analgesia at KSVM. She has a particular research interest in pain management, focusing on regional anesthetic techniques, and in providing safer anesthesia for wild species.