Wildlife and Exotics Congress
Thursday 19 October 2023
Virtual Event
Dr Fabian Rivers MVDr GPCert (ExAP) MRCVS
Dready Vet
Fabian graduated in 2018 from the University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno. He is currently an exotics and companion animal vet in Birmingham.
More commonly known as Dready Vet, an initiative started in 2013, he has written, featured and given talks to a variety of veterinary and non-veterinary publications, universities and initiatives. He is currently the British Veterinary Association recent graduate representative and is a keen contributor on topics surrounding mental health, racism, new graduate and student welfare, and the wider complexities of the veterinary community.
In 2020, he was awarded BVA Young Vet of the Year.
Fabian is currently undertaking a certificate in exotic animal practice clinically and mentors’ students on exotic specific casework when going into practice. He was a clinical lead at one of the two exotic specific practices in Birmingham and his interests are in preventative welfare particularly in reptiles.
Fabian is also one of the vets on the Pets Factor, a children’s TV show on the CBBC, mainly placed as the exotics focused member of the team. He also presented a documentary in 2021 named, ‘Britain’s Puppy Boom; Counting the Cost’ which aired on BBC One, BBC Three and iPlayer.
Iain Cope, BSc (VetSci) (Hons), CertAVP(ZM), BVM&S, MRCVS, RCVS Recognised Advanced Practitioner in Zoological Medicine
Iain Cope qualified in 2006 from Edinburgh University and gained his certificate in Zoological Medicine in 2011. Having worked in mixed and exotic small animal practices, Iain set up his own clinic in 2016. Iain has published in several journals, teaches at Cambridge University and presents at congresses. His current work involves exotic and zoo species and he is zoo vet at 4 collections.
Jo Hinde-Megarity RVN
LagoLearn
Jo has worked in the veterinary industry since 2007 and has always had a special interest in rabbits. She co-owns LagoLearn, which provides rabbit specific CPD to veterinary professionals in the UK and Internationally. She spends a significant amount of voluntary time highlighting animal welfare, is the Secretary of the AZEVN and is proud have been the President of the BVNA in 2019/2020. Jo has received several awards over the years including the Blue Cross Veterinary Nurse of the Year in 2014, an RCVS Innovation Award winner in 2017 and the IFAW Animal Advocate Award in 2017.
Matthew Rendle RVN
The Association of Zoo and Exotic Veterinary Nurses (AZEVN)
In 1994 he was made Senior Theatre Nurse. He left in 2003 to pursue his interest in zoo and wildlife nursing at the Zoological Society of London. Matthew left the Zoo in April 2017 to look for new challenges within exotic and wildlife nursing.
Matt has experience in the nursing care for many species from ants to elephants (and most things in-between) and has been fortunate to travel as part of his roles.
Matt has been recognised for his managerial skills and in 2020 was awarded The Bruce Vivash Jones Veterinary Nursing award by the BSAVA, as recognition for outstanding contribution to advancement of small animal veterinary nursing.
He lectures throughout Europe and America to veterinary nursing and veterinary surgeon undergraduates as part of their core modules on topics such as the husbandry and welfare of exotic species and some areas of zoo and wildlife diagnostic imaging and anaesthesia.
Matt has completed a three-year term on the British Veterinary Nursing Association Council, which allowed him to help promote and raise the profile of veterinary nursing in the UK and is currently an elected member of the RCVS Veterinary Nursing council, working on many aspects of progressing and elevating the veterinary nursing profession.
Nicola Williams BSc (Hons) RVN C&GCertVNES
Nicola graduated as an RVN in 2015 whilst working at a 24-hour emergency referral practice. During her time in referral, she volunteered at several wildlife hospitals and charities within the UK where she gained valuable skills that helped her to gain employment at RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife Hospital.
Once qualified, Nicola went on to complete her certificate in veterinary nursing of exotic species and wildlife.
Outside of her work duties, Nicola pursues her interest in biological monitoring, surveying and conservation, and volunteers for several wildlife organisations such as Shropshire Dormouse Group, Butterfly Conservation, Wildlife Trust and the British Trust of Ornithology.
