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Dog care professionals invited to new conference
The conference aims to provide delegates with a better understanding of the inner workings of a dog's mind.

Dogs Trust to host dog emotion and behaviour conference in Scotland.

For the first time, Dogs Trust is hosting a conference on dog emotion and behaviour, being held in Glasgow on Saturday, 20 May and Sunday, 21 May. It is aimed at dog care professionals and individuals that are considering a career working with dogs.

The conference aims to provide delegates with a better understanding of the inner workings of a dog’s mind, and will offer support with high-welfare and evidence-based professional development opportunities.

During the event, delegates will have the chance to attend workshops on topics such as diffusing emotional situations and putting communication into practice. There will also be a series of talks from experts in dog behaviour including Dr Rachel Casey, director of canine behaviour and research at Dogs Trust, River McDonald, director of Edinburgh Dog Behaviour and Stephanie Zikmann, founder of the Holistic Grooming Academy.  

The speakers' talks will cover a range of subjects including understanding and applying emotion, dealing with challenging behaviours in practice and owner communication, emotional wellbeing for pet professionals, and low stress handling in the pet care industry.

Dr Jenna Kiddie, head of canine behaviour at Dogs Trust said: “We are delighted to launch this conference in Scotland, the first of its kind, to support pet care professionals.
Dog walkers, day care providers, groomers, sitters, boarders and other care professionals can play a very important role in the lives of the nation’s dogs.

"This conference brings together dog behaviour and professional experts to offer an amazing range of education opportunities, from lectures to workshops.”

Those wishing to attend the conference -
The Key to Success: Emotion and Behaviour for Dog Care Professionals, can purchase tickets online. There is also the option to purchase recordings of the key speakers.

Image (C) Dogs Trust

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.