The Animal Specialists

In today’s short but sweet “deep-dive” episode, we’re joined by Davina Anderson from the European College of Veterinary Surgeons, to discuss the “dual diplomate” conundrum. How can a specialist have two specialties? And why?Listen along for insight into how this perceived paradox is quality assured, workflows for implementation amongst different specialties, and what it means for your pet, horse, or farm animal.

In this short summer episode, EBVS CEO Julie Rosser takes listeners behind the scenes for a look at where EBVS has come from, how much it has grown, and why transformation is now on the horizon. From EU recognition and advocacy to increasing complexity behind the scenes, discover what’s changing at EBVS and why the next chapter needs your voice.

Dr. Robert Trujanovic is the kind of specialist who sees a gap and builds the bridge himself. In this episode, the EBVS specialist in anesthesia and analgesia talks about pioneering one of Europe's only dedicated interventional pain services for small animals, why he went looking in human medicine for techniques that are now transforming outcomes for his patients, and how ultrasound became the game changer for his practice. But this conversation goes beyond the clinical: Robert is refreshingly honest about the business of being a specialist, what it takes to build a service people will pay for, and why non-technical skills like leadership, communication, and economic thinking are what turn a great clinician into someone truly indispensable. If you're building something new, charging what you're worth (and doing it on your own terms) this one's for you.

Veterinary Mastery: Rewiring for Impact and Leadership In this episode, Julie Rosser (EBVS) sits down with Fernanda Lind, CEO & founder of Rewired Global and of Wired To Win podcast, to explore the intersection of neuroscience, high performance, and veterinary leadership. Fernanda brings her unique perspective from the worlds of high-stakes performing arts and managing billions in finance to discuss why our brains operate the same way regardless of the "content" of our careers. We dive deep into the "sneaky" nature of burnout, the distinction between competence and confidence, and how to transition from a technical expert to a strategic leader who owns their professional identity.Key TakeawaysThe Brain as Your Most Important Asset: Mastery begins with taking radical responsibility for your own brain mechanics rather than leaving them to "their own devices," which often leads to reactive stress loops.The Hidden Cost of Burnout: Burnout has been "normalized" in veterinary medicine, but its compounding cost over a lifetime (physically, neurologically, and financially) is horrific.Sprint vs. Marathon: True sustainable performance isn't about working fewer hours; it’s about changing the neurological "operating program" from a constant state of urgency to one of presence and work-life "flow".The Mediocrity Trap: Longevity and sustainable success often come to those who are willing to fail and even be "mediocre" on the long path to mastery, rather than those who break under the pressure of immediate perfection.Confidence is Not Competence: For decades, the profession has assumed that competence automatically breeds confidence. We discuss why this is a fallacy and how confidence must be nurtured as its own core competency.From Technical to Strategic: Veterinary specialists must move beyond being technical "solution makers" to become architects of public policy, exercising their inherent skills in judgment, reasoning, and analysis to lead society.Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeFernanda Lind’s Website: Rewired Global / Wired To Win.Free Tool: The Cost of Burnout Calculator (available here).Book Recommendation: Meditations by Marcus Aurelius.Join the Conversation What part of your career are you treating as a "sprint" that should be a "marathon"? Share your thoughts on our LinkedIn channel using #VeterinaryMastery and #EBVSLeadership.

What does it actually mean to be a veterinary specialist? Not the letters after your name or the diploma on the wall — but the real value you bring when a case is complex, the path is unclear, and someone needs direction.In this episode, EBVS Director of Education Mark Bowen and CEO Julie Rosser explore what defines specialist expertise, how the profession can move from seeking recognition to claiming a genuine voice, and why that distinction matters more than ever. They discuss the veterinary profession as a team sport — a solar system of first opinion practitioners, advanced practitioners, and specialists who depend on each other — and why workforce sustainability requires all of those relationships to be stronger and better defined.The conversation also takes in AI and digital innovation, the "sprinter versus marathoner" problem in specialist training, social licence, and what it looks like to advocate for animals and the profession in spaces that matter — from clinical referral conversations to the European Commission.If you're a specialist, a resident, or someone thinking seriously about where the profession is heading, this one is for you.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Mathijs Theelen, a specialist in equine internal medicine at Utrecht University, to discuss the high-stakes world of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and translational medicine. We also explore the cutting-edge collaboration between Utrecht’s veterinary and human hospitals, where Mathijs is helping to validate a new sepsis diagnostic test in foals that could soon be used to save the lives of human babies. Beyond the lab, we dive into the difficult "daily call" specialists face in antimicrobial stewardship: the challenge of "daring to not use" antibiotics despite intense pressure from worried animal owners. From midnight clinical emergencies to research that changes international policy, Mathijs shares what it truly means to be a specialist at the intersection of animal and human health

In this episode, Alice Diana from the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) explores her newfound interest about how veterinary specialization is evolving through more flexible residency programs and self-directed learning. Together our host, Julie, and Alice discuss the growing importance of non-clinical career paths in policy, public health, and leadership, and the need for greater diversity and visibility within the profession. Alice shares why veterinarians, especially women and young professionals, should feel empowered to step into leadership and policy spaces, shaping a more inclusive and influential future for veterinary medicine.

An insightful discussion with Mark Bowen, an expert in veterinary sports medicine: Mark shares his passion for enhancing the health and welfare of horses, stressing the critical nature of thorough diagnostics to prevent cardiac and infectious incidents.In this episode, we dive into the exciting advancements in equine veterinary medicine, including the integration of AI in ECG monitoring. This remarkable technology reduces analysis time drastically, ensuring timely interventions. Additionally, we tackle the pressing issue of antimicrobial resistance and the importance of responsible antibiotic usage.Mark emphasizes the necessity for veterinarians to possess strong communication skills, especially when delivering tough news to clients. This episode reflects on collaboration over competition, urging veterinary professionals to advocate for equine welfare through innovative practices.Are you curious about the role of innovation and innovative business models in veterinary medicine? We invite you to listen and share your thoughts on how advancements can reshape the future of animal care.

In this episode of The Animal Specialists, we step into the boots of Iris Kolkman, a bovine specialist navigating the unique challenges of farm life. From balancing work and family to building trust with farmers in a traditionally male-dominated space, we explore what it takes to thrive in the field. The conversation also highlights the importance of preventive care and animal welfare—and how empathy, expertise, and persistence are reshaping the role of women in large animal veterinary medicine.Special thanks to Iris and her practice A7 Nord Dierenartsen for volunteering her time for this engaging and enthusiastic episode!

Wait - what IS a veterinary specialist anyway? And why might I want to know about them? What's in it for me - really?More than you might think, even if you don't own any animals! This episode is super quick and offers insight into how new cutting edge treatments are sometimes developed in veterinary medicine for human use; how we are "your vet's vet" - a.k.a. who they call when they need more advanced procedures for patients; how vets play a vital role in food safety, education, and more! Meet our accidental host, and then head on over to www.ebvs.eu to learn more! Be sure to follow and share from Spotify and soon from Apple Podcasts too.You can also subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter or reach out via Instagram and Facebook at euvetspecialists.