#89 Cat the Vet (Dr. Cat Henstridge) - Regulation, Reality, Trust & the Truth: DOGx Speaker Special

Welcome back, Bookshelvers!

In this weeks episode we welcome back the incredible Cat the Vet (Dr. Cat Henstridge) for her second appearance and another DOGx Speaker Special! Get ready for a deep dive, recorded (humorously!) from under a blanket in her new vet practice – a testament to her dedication to great sound!

Cat, a prominent veterinary surgeon and renowned social media voice, is a trusted source for dispelling misinformation and offering quality advice on all aspects of pet health and welfare. You might also know her from CBBC's 'The Pets Factor' or her many TV and radio appearances. As alluded to above we're beyond thrilled that Cat will also be a speaker at DOGX 2025 on Sunday, October 12th, at Winchester University!

In this jam packed conversation, we cover:

• Behind the Practice Door: Cat's journey to becoming a vet, the common "childhood dream" narrative, and the surprising reality that being a vet is often more about people than just animals.
• The Power of Sound & Scent in Vet Practices: A fascinating tangent on how clinic environments impact animal behaviour and welfare, and why these factors are often underestimated.
• Regulation in the Pet Professional World: A crucial, candid discussion on the lack of consistent regulation in dog training and behaviour compared to the veterinary field. Cat bravely tackles the "soup of acronyms" in qualifications and the vital need for quality control in education.
• Building Bridges Between Professions: How vets and paraprofessionals (like trainers and behaviourists) can better collaborate, refer, and build trust – essential for optimizing animal welfare.
• Navigating Online Misinformation: Cat offers invaluable advice on fact-checking what you see on social media, identifying confidence vs. correctness, and the danger of "kernel of truth" myths.
• The Rise of Tech in Vet Med: An exciting look at new, non-invasive diagnostic tools (like the HTVista and AI for reading X-rays) and how technology is shaping the future of veterinary care.
• The Mark of a Good Professional

If you're invested in animal welfare, ethical practice, and cutting through the noise in the pet world. Prepare for all the honesty, humour, and a whole lot of wisdom (mostly from Cat)!

Cat facts:

Cat Henstridge BVSc ESVPS Cert GP (SAM) MRCVS

Cat graduated from Bristol University in 2003 and works as a small animal veterinary surgeon at Peak vets. Cat is a published author and writes a number of articles for various veterinary and non-veterinary publications. She is a vet on the BBC Children’s Television Show – The Pets Factor and is passionate about promoting animal welfare. Cat also has a significant social media presence that has gained her millions of views as "Cat the Vet" where her videos educate and entertain in equal measure.

Links:

TikTok
Facebook
Instagram

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