International veterinarians working together

Ilyse graduated in 2011 and works as a farm vet in North Waikato in New Zealand. Ilyse is passionate about preventative dairy herd health and supporting farmers to improve animal welfare, efficiency, and the long-term sustainability of their businesses. Ilyse is an InCalf adviser, an accredited mastitis advisor and a member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists by examination in Dairy Cattle Medicine.

Celine Faverjon is an epidemiologist and veterinarian with over a decade of experience across academia and private consultancy. Celine specialises in designing and evaluating health surveillance systems within the "One Health" framework, focusing on animal, public, and environmental health. Celine helps organisations translate complex scientific data into actionable insights, covering the full spectrum of surveillance from data management and risk assessment to stakeholder engagement. She is now an independent consultant, providing tailored, evidence-based solutions to strengthen population health management, supporting academia, industry, and the public sector.

Line Fruergaard-Roed is a specialized veterinarian with 20 years of experience in cattle practice, focusing on reproduction, biosecurity, and transition cow management. A specialist since 2015, Line has played a significant role in veterinary education, serving as a course coordinator for inseminator training and contributing to the leadership of specialist veterinary training programs. Line brings practical expertise from managing her own 400-cow organic farm and is currently responsible for the biosecurity implementation and daily operations for 280 colleagues at Viking

Anne Mette Danscher is a Veterinary Advisor at VikingDanmark, bringing extensive expertise in hoof and calf health to the cattle sector. After graduating in 2002, she earned a PhD from the University of Copenhagen and has since built a distinguished career spanning clinical practice, academic research, and the medical industry. Passionate about knowledge transfer, Anne Mette dedicates her time educating both farmers and veterinary students, integrating advanced research into practical, daily farm operations. Her professional mission is to spearhead sustainable advancements that enhance animal welfare, support farming communities, and protect the environment.

David is Managing Director of Paragon Veterinary Group, a two centre, 18 vet, mixed practice in Cumbria.  His main clinical interest is in dairy practice, gaining his Diploma in Bovine Reproduction in 1998, and becoming an RCVS Recognised Specialist in Cattle Health and Production in 2003. He recently achieved his DVetMed (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) at Nottingham University, based on cattle advanced breeding and the effects of minerals on cattle fertility.

Although he has, after 12 years, recently retired from the Board of XLVets, a group of independent veterinary practices who work collaboratively together to deliver “Excellence in Practice”, he is still closely involved with several projects.

He is Managing Director of Activf-ET, an exciting consortium delivering advanced breeding technologies to the UK cattle industry and beyond, which resulted from two recently completed Innovate UK supported projects, partnering with Semex and the Universities of Nottingham and Kent, working on ovum pickup (OPU), in-vitro production (IVP) of embryos and genomic analysis of embryos in cattle.

He is Senior Independent Director of the Veterinary Defence Society (VDS), treasurer of, and representative of the UK on the committee of the World Association for Buiatrics, and is a member of the Dairy Science Forum.

With over 40 years of international experience as a veterinarian specializing in cattle, I have contributed to consultancy, after-sales service, and greenfield projects in more than 40 countries. My expertise includes technical advisory, implementation of animal health programs, training local teams, and establishing sustainable livestock projects. I am passionate about improving animal health and productivity, combining in-depth veterinary knowledge with hands-on experience in complex international environments.

Laura is a seasoned professional with nine years of experience as a large animal veterinarian. Laura has a strong background in consultancy, which she cultivated during her time in practice through successfully running flock health clubs and managing the completion of essential Red Tractor assurance plans.

Peter graduated in 1990 from Hannover Vet School and has a keen interest in sustainable livestock farming, preventative medicine and the reduction in antimicrobial usage. Peter is a board member of the European College of Bovine Health Management.

Bruce is senior Farm Animal veterinary surgeon at Paragon Veterinary Group in Cumbria, leading a team of 11 clinicians and 2 vet techs. He has a particular clinical interest in Dairy Herd Health and Fertility, focusing on efficient and profitable production. He gained the Diploma in Bovine Reproduction in 2006 and also provides International Dairy Farm Consultancy, (most recently in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Russia) including training and development of veterinary and technical staff. 

He also Business Director of Paragon Veterinary Group, a two centred, multi disciplined, independent veterinary practice in Cumbria.

Rob Grinnall is a highly experienced veterinary consultant specialising in international livestock exports. With a degree from the University of Liverpool (1988), Rob has dedicated his career to advancing the standards of the UK livestock and agri-tech sectors on the global stage.

In his current roles with UKECP and UKTAG, Rob works extensively with government bodies and industry leaders, including Defra, APHA, the Veterinary Trade Facilitation team, and the Department of Business and Trade. His work focuses on facilitating the trade of breeding stock, embryos, and semen, with a specialized emphasis on the complex requirements of export health certificates for sheep, cattle, and goats.

Rob is a seasoned international negotiator who has represented UK interests across Algeria, Argentina, the USA, Uruguay, Paraguay, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkey. In these roles, he frequently engages with government ministers and British Ambassadors to strengthen trade relationships and develop new export protocols. He is currently spearheading a multi-group forum designed to align industry and government efforts, ensuring future-proof agreements and enhanced support for overseas partners.

With a strong aptitude for public speaking and a commitment to collaborative, cross-border veterinary solutions, Rob brings a wealth of strategic experience to the VetSalus network.

Lorna is a veterinarian and consultant with over 15 years experience across New Zealand’s food and fibre sector. Lorna combines clinical veterinary expertise with systems thinking to support sustainable, resilient farming systems, working at the intersection of animal, environmental and human health. Her work spans clinical practice, industry programmes, and governance, enabling farmers and organisations to implement practical, system-level improvements that enhance animal health, productivity, and environmental outcomes.

I am an independent farm veterinary consultant and founder of FertiliVet, specialising in fertility, herd health, and production advisory for dairy and beef systems. I am a DBR-holder and an Advanced Practitioner of Cattle Health and Production. As an advocate for responsible, evidence-based hormone use in cattle, I am actively involved in research using Doppler ultrasonography to refine reproductive interventions. I am also carrying out a PhD at the University of Nottingham, focussed on the use of precision livestock technology to improve resilience, welfare and production in dairy cows.

Over the past decade, I have worked across progressive farms, leading applied fertility trials, supporting herd health improvements, and mentoring both veterinary and farm teams. My experience spans translating complex clinical data into practical strategies, delivering training for farmers and vets, and integrating sustainability and productivity goals on farm.

I have always been fascinated by nature and animals and it seems naturally to me to reflect on agricultural impact on climate, biodiversity and soil fertility. I have practical experience with a number of different production types, ranging from small scale biodynamic farming to organic and conventional dairy and beef production. Not only as a veterinary advisor, but also as an on-farm employee. During my studies I worked as a research assistant with both disease models, necropsies and feed trials in broilers, pigs, cattle and mink. This has taught me to recognize patterns, think outside the box and to work systematically, which are skills I apply everyday in my work as a veterinary practitioner.
I take pride in working with food production and feel a great responsibility toward helping farmers and other interested parties transform their businesses to accommodate the ever-changing demands from consumers and legislators. My main interests are hoof health, grazing strategies and parasite management.

Dutch by birth, lived in the UK for 26 years, predominantly in Wales. Long suffering Welsh husband, mother of three teenagers. Worked full time on farms in Netherlands and France. Worked as a vet in mixed practice in the Netherlands and UK for several years. Completed a residency in farm animals at the Royal Veterinary College/UC Davis-Tulare/Shepton Veterinary Group and Certificate in Cattle Health and Production in 2006. Founding member of ProStock Vets in 2011.
Interests are: Milk Quality, Harvesting and Mastitis, Livestock-ecosystem synergy, Water and nutrition, Soil health, Restoration of ecosystems, Orchards, Silvopasture and Agroforestry.
In my free time I enjoy being outside with nature on our farm, vernacular buildings and conservation, reading, music, cooking and eating

As an expert in udder health, I am eager to engage at an international level. I am convinced that exchanging experiences, sharing knowledge, and collaborating with peers across borders will enhance our collective understanding and expertise. My daily work focuses on udder health and the responsible use of antimicrobials. Contributing to international projects would provide an excellent opportunity to further develop my expertise, apply my insights in a broader context, and actively support initiatives that promote animal health and sustainable practices.

Interest in the environmental impact of livestock farming and how this is being portrayed. Like to approach concepts and problems from many angles to try and understand why that conclusion has been made, could we have come up with a different one? How improving animal health can increase efficiency and reduce the environmental footprint per kg of milk/meat sold. Can farming practices also be beneficial to carbon capture? Is the environmental story biased when it comes to farming? Do farmers voices matter? Are we measuring the right things? Could we do better? Does NZ farming fit the current models being used?

I am a veterinary surgeon with over 20 years of experience across farm animal practice, academic research, and commercial animal health. My career has been shaped by a passion for improving livestock health, welfare, and sustainability at both farm and industry level. I began in clinical practice, spending over a decade supporting beef and dairy clients across Northern Ireland. During this time, I developed a deep appreciation for the challenges and opportunities facing farmers and gained practical insight into what effective veterinary support really means. Driven to create broader impact, I went on to complete a PhD in ruminant nutrition and immune function, publishing peer-reviewed papers and presenting internationally. I take great satisfaction in turning complex research into practical, actionable guidance and continue to do so through government consulting, conference presentations, and advisory work. I’ve since worked in technical leadership roles in the pharmaceutical and feed industry, supporting the development, communication, and implementation of animal health strategies across the UK and Ireland. Alongside this, I’ve led collaborative industry projects, sat on professional committees, and contributed to key policy discussions around veterinary medicine access, antimicrobial use, and sustainable livestock systems. Through my Nuffield Farming Scholarship, I explored multi species preventative health practices worldwide, which gave me a greater appreciation for cross-sector learning and the global relevance of One Health approaches. Whether advising farmers, developing training, or shaping policy, I bring a systems-thinking mindset grounded in real-world application.

After graduating from the Faculty of Animal Sciences at Wageningen University, I began studying veterinary medicine at Utrecht University.

After graduating, I initially worked as a general veterinarian. After two years, I specialized in ruminants and a small portion of equine care. Since 2014, I have been co-owner of a practice in the north of the Netherlands. In my daily work, I focus primarily on preventive veterinary medicine and fertility. I am a member of the infectious diseases expert panel and hold various additional classifications from Dutch dairy companies.

Grace is a 2014 Bristol University graduate, with experience of working across disciplines and geographical borders. Highly adaptable, she has thrived in mixed practice, small animal emergency clinics, wildlife work in South Africa and in beef, sheep, dairy and deer farm practices in the UK and New Zealand.

Non clinical roles have added to her arsenal of experience; involvement in the development of the Drench And Grazing Integration (DAGI) app have fostered new connections, technology skills and experience of international project management.

Governmental work as Initial Investigating Vet has given Grace a strong foundation in epidemiology and mass disease preparedness, supported by her professional contribution to her region's Civil Defence and Emergency Management plans.

Through her varied career, Grace has developed special interests in exotic disease, wildlife, deer farming (she now sits on the Marlborough Deer Farming Committee), and dairy work - with an overriding focus on sustainability across disciplines. She successfully achieved Investors In the Environment accreditation for a multidiscipline independent practice in the UK, and has founded multiple Farmer Sustainability groups and clinic Green Groups.

As a Founding member and subsequently a National Executive member of the Aotearoa Veterinarians' Union, Grace understands that 'Sustainability' encompasses not only how we treat the planet, but how we support each other as well. To that end she has also completed Whakawhitiwhiti Kōrero Māmā Tētahi Ki Tētahi in Te reo Māori and intends to complete the three subsequent courses to gain the Bilingual certificate.

Completing the VetSalus 'A Veterinary Approach to Sustainable Food and Farming' course, and achieving LANTRA certification led her to become a consultant for VetSalus.

Outside of work you will often find her swimming in whatever body of water she can find - especially if it's cold!

Henry is a director at Crowshall Veterinary Services, a dedicated commercial poultry and gamebird practice based in the UK which is accredited green in sustainability by Investors in the Environment (iiE). Henry is a resident of the European College of Poultry Veterinary Science (ECPVS), a mental health first aider, and an external educator for the Royal Veterinary College (RVC).

DVM 1996, PhD 2003, experience from 10 years in cattle and sheep practice and 18 years as university researcher in herd health, analysis of herd data, effect of advisory service, milking hygiene, robotic milking, antibiotic resistance in conventional and organic farming, Experience from secondary opinions in dairy herds in Denmark and other countries.

For more than 20 years, I worked as a conventional cattle veterinarian, where I also focused strongly on herd management and preventive medicine. Later, I started my own solo practice with the aim of helping farmers improve their management, without being involved in the sale of medicines. Through Klevet Koeienpraktijk, I support farmers in optimizing their work, I have a special interest in the transition period.. In addition, I am active as FarmLabo, selling blood analysis equipment (BoviLab—on-farm blood testing) to veterinarians. The main goal here is to detect subclinical diseases and enhance management practices. I believe the mission of VetSalus aligns perfectly with my vision, and I value operating within a larger network.

Niels graduated in 2002 (Utrecht, NL) with a degree in veterinary medicine. He worked in various veterinary practices before joining veterinarian practice Thewi BV in 2006. In 2008, he became co-owner of Thewi BV. Thewi BV is a veterinary practice consisting of 10 certified veterinarians specializing in veal and beef.

He advises farmers as well as integrations and technicians on health care, welfare, management, housing, climate, feed, and other aspects involved in raising calves in the Netherlands and abroad on request.

He contributed to the development of guidelines for veterinarians working with veal and to the identification of critical success factors to reduce the use of antibiotics in the Dutch veal industry.

He is a member of the expert panel on infectious diseases.

He is co-author/author of scientific articles, has participated in clinical trials, and has presented oral presentations and posters at various World Buiatrics Congresses.

I have been a production animal vet since graduating in the UK, working for 2.5 years in the Peak District of England before moving to South Canterbury, NZ, where I worked for 3 years with Vetlife. Over the past few years, I developed a growing interest in how I could contribute more broadly to animal and public health beyond clinical work.

I am now pursuing a Master of Veterinary Studies degree at Massey as a full-time student, aiming to develop the epidemiological and analytical skills necessary to transition from clinical practice to research. My interests lie in One Health, zoonotic diseases, animal welfare, and policy making, with particular interest in those relating to large animals (due to my clinical background). A key theme that has emerged through my studies so far is the importance of evidence-based practice. I would love to have a role in providing practising vets with current, evidence-backed best practices, so that their work is as impactful as possible in improving animal health outcomes.