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| 2026 ZWHC - Workshops |
Please find below the list of all workshops to be offered at the Zoo and Wildlife Health Conference 2026. Some of these workshops are small group seminars, others involve a practical element also. All are given by experts in their fields and group sizes are kept small in order to ensure
plenty of opportunity for discussion between participants and the tutors.
Each workshop has both a minimum and maximum number of participants. Whilst we will do our best to accommodate your choices, if we do not meet the minimum number for a particular workshop we may need to cancel it and you will receive a full refund of the workshop fee. NOTE - all workshop fees are free of VAT. ALL WORKSHOPS WILL TAKE PLACE ON WEDNESDAY 10TH June 2026 All workshops take place at Dublin Zoo! Full Day Workshops and Masterclasses
Half Day Workshops and Masterclasses
REMEMBER: Workshops are only available to those registering for the conference. The majority of workshops are IN PERSON only and will take place at Zoo Dublin.
Full Day Workshops
Time: 09:00 - 18:00 Location: Zoo Dublin Tutors: Carsten Grøndahl
Cost IN PERSON: EAZWV/AAZV members: €120, Non-members: €145. (10€ increase after 31/3/2026). Target Audience: Suitable for experienced veterinarians only,
not open for students Overview: This session will explore the newest advances in advanced anaesthesia in exotic animals both in managed settings (Zoo & Safari Parks) and in free ranging animals. By the end of this workshop, participants should have an understanding of the benefits of multimodal drug synergy, reduction of side effects, and have a practical and theoretical insight on monitoring during anaesthesia. Carsten Grøndahl DVM PhD. Carsten obtained a Ph.D. in anaesthesiology & pharmacology at the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University in Copenhagen in 1992, has been an associate professor in Anaesthesia and Surgery at this university before becoming the chief veterinarian at Copenhagen Zoo in 1996. Carsten has led numerous postgraduate training seminars in anaesthesia, pain modulation, immobilisation, monitoring and the use of long acting neuroleptics in many countries, has given numerous talks and authored many publications, amongst which an anaesthesia chapter (musk ox) in Fowler's Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine Current Therapy, Volume 9. In 2023 he was awarded the “Veterinarian of the year” award by the Danish Veterinary Association.
EAZWV Zoo and Wildlife Pathology Seminar Time: 9:00-17:00 Location: Zoo Dublin Tutors: Maja Ruetten, Carlos Rodríguez Cost IN PERSON: EAZWV / AAZV members: €120, EAZWV Students: €90, Non-members: €145. (10€ increase after 31/3/2026).
Cost VIRTUAL: (only available to those registered for Virtual conference) EAZWV/AAZV members: €75; EAZWV/AAZV student members: €65 , Non-members: €115
Cost Workshop-only registration: €140
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Registration only for the workshop (without conference registration) is available exclusively to people involved in pathology. You will need to submit proof. Preferance will be given to people attending the online-conference, and to ECVP residents. Questions? write us!]
Target Audience: Veterinarians responsible for zoo and wildlife health and disease diagnosis as well as pathologists (and pathology trainees) interested in or working on non-domestic species. Although EAZWV student members are welcome, preference will be given to licensed attendees with a professional involvement in zoo and wildlife pathology. Overview: The seminar offers an outstanding opportunity for clinicians, diagnosticians, pathologists and trainees to share information and learn ""across the divide"". EAZWV welcomes members of the European Society of Veterinary Pathology, as well as ECVP Diplomates, residents and interns, who can register for the Seminar as a standalone event. We will focus on case-based discussion of common infectious and non-infectious diseases with the aim of stimulating productive discussions and learnings from the sharing and review of real-life pathology cases. This will be accomplished via presentations of macroscopic and microscopic images as well as any relevant ancillary diagnostic techniques. There will be a focus on how to obtain the best samples for various testing modalities. Following the keynote lectures, pathologists and clinicians will present and discuss their most interesting recent cases in an interactive all-day session. Attendees are invited to submit their own pathology cases for discussion: all interesting cases involving infectious or noninfectious disease are welcome and opportunity for brief case presentation by the attendees is encouraged. If you wish to present a case, please send us an email with a brief description (1-2 sentences) of the case by 28 February 2025. Those applicants with chosen cases will be notified by email by the following week. Maja Rütten Dr med vet, Dipl ECVP, graduated from Zurich Veterinary School in 2000, after which she directly joined private practice in the Swiss mountains. In 2001 she started her doctoral thesis in veterinary pathology, completing it in 2004, before moving on to a Residency at the University in Zurich, Switzerland. Maja has been a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Pathologists since 2008 and fulfilled the role of Senior Zoo Pathologist at the Institute of Pathology of University of Zurich. In 2016 she founded a private diagnostic laboratory in Tagelswangen (Zurich). Her main research interest is iron metabolism in exotic species. Carlos Rodriguez DVM, Dipl ACVP, a native from Caracas, Venezuela, received his veterinary degree from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, with a focus on clinical equine practice. He then joined the Angell Memorial/Tufts University anatomic pathology residency training program and later joined the Wildlife Conservation Society as associate pathologist at the Bronx Zoo. In 2011, he joined the animal health team at Walt Disney World in Orlando, where he currently serves as the veterinary pathologist and manager for the pathology team based at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Epcot.
In his free time, he enjoys running and triathlon events, reading, being on the water, the parks, and anything Star Wars. Special interests include amphibian and aquatic animal
diseases, emerging infectious and zoonotic diseases, and supporting conservation programs throughout Latin America.
European College of Zoological Medicine "Short Course" Time: 09:00 - 17:00 Location: Dublin Zoo Workshop coordinator: Eva Dutitre, Anja Reckendorf Cost IN PERSON: EAZWV / AAZV members: €120, EAZWV Students: €90, Non-members: €145. (10€ increase after 31/3/2026). Cost VIRTUAL: (only available to those registered for Virtual conference) EAZWV/AAZV members: €75; EAZWV/AAZV student members: €65 , Non-members: €115 - Please be aware, as an online participant you will NOT be able to do the mock exam!! You will be able to listen to the discussion afterwards. Target Audience: This course is designed primarily for ECZM residents, ECZM diplomates testing into a different speciality, and those interested in ECZM residency. Preference will be given to current residents. A waiting list of non-residents will be made & honor the early bird fee where applicable. Overview: This ECZM short course is intended for residents and non-residents and will be flexible to accomodate the balance of attendants. It will include basic information on residency training and how to achieve diplomate status,
literature review of topics relevant to the examination and a mock examination. The focus will be on topics relevant to the Zoo Health Management specialty. Eva Dutitre DACZM, DECZM (ZHM), graduated from Vienna in 2010. Between 2016-2019 she did her ACZM/ECZM (Zoo Health Management) residency in Copenhagen Zoo, Denmark. Eva received her board certification from the American College of Zoological Medicine in 2022, and from the European College of Zoological Medicine in 2023. At the moment she is working as a veterinarian at the University of Zürich (UZH). Clinic of Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Switzerland. Anja Reckendorf DECZM (WPH) studied 2 years in Budapest and went on to graduate from the Freie Universität Berlin in 2014. She went on to become a PhD student and the first ECZM Resident at the Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW) of the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation (2015-2020). She earned her EVBS® Specialist status in Wildlife Population Health by Board Examination in 2020 and is currently the ECZM co-chair of the Education and Residency Committee in charge of residency site, program and candidate approval. Time: 09:00 - 17:30 Location: Dublin Zoo Tutors: Yedra Feltrer, Isabel Callealta, Dominik Fischer Cost IN PERSON: EAZWV / AAZV members: €120, EAZWV Students: €90, Non-members: €145. (10€ increase after 31/3/2026). Target Audience: This workshop is aimed at students and clinical practicioners in zoos. Overview: The theoretical portion of this course will provide an overview of reproductive health assessments including an overview of reproductive system general anatomy and physiology, and the techniques used to evaluate the reproductive health of wildlife species, including ultrasonography and semen collection techniques. We will guide participants on diagnosing common reproductive pathology in the focal species being Red Ruffed Lemurs and Yellow Crested Cockatoos (subject to change). Yedra Feltrer Rambaud DVM MSc(WAH) DipECZM(ZHM) MRCVS, is an EBVS® European Veterinary Specialist in Zoo Health Management passionate about ethics and animal welfare, the veterinary role as part of the One Health approach, and conservation of zoo animals and wildlife. Throughout the years she has worked in several European zoos and collaborated with conservation projects abroad and primate sanctuaries in Africa. She has presented papers at many national and international conferences and is widely published. Isabel Callealta Ldo en Veterinaria, Dr. Med. Vet. (Repr.), GP Cert. FelP/SAR/US, is originally from Spain, where she qualified as a vet in 2008. After several years working as a small animal medicine practitioner (...with special interest in feline medicine, imaging and reproduction), she moved to South Africa to complete her doctoral thesis in non-domestic felids reproduction. The PhD project focused on the study of the reproductive biology and endocrinology of African lions, and the development of protocols for artificial insemination in this species, serving as a model for the study of other large, non-domestic cats. At present, she works as a freelancer providing veterinary ultrasonography and reproduction consultancy for both domestic species within Spain and non-domestic species in Europe, Africa, and Asia. Furthermore, she collaborates with the EAZA Reproductive Management Group as an advisor and leads a postdoctoral research project to identify factors that contribute to reproductive success in tigers, in collaboration with Chester Zoo and the Amur and Sumatran tiger EEPs.
Dominik Fischer Dr. med. vet.; DipECZM(WPH); FTA Wirtschafts-, Wild- & Ziergeflügel; FTA Reptilien; FTA Zoo- & Gehegetiere; FTA Wildtiere & Artenschutz, currently curator, responsible für birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish and veterinarian at Zoo Wuppertal. He specialised in assisted reproduction in birds and reptiles for the purpose of species conservation, which is applied in situ and ex situ in international projects. Dominik holds the board certification as Diplomate of the European College of Zoological Medicine in Wildlife Population Health and national German specialization degrees in avian medicine, reptilian medicine, zoo and wildlife medicine and species conservation. He is the current president of the European Association of Avian Veterinarians (EAAV).
Time: 10:00 - 16:00 Location: Dublin Zoo Tutors: Frank O'Sullivan, Alison Burrell Cost IN PERSON: EAZWV / AAZV members: €120, EAZWV Students: €90, Non-members: €145. (10€ increase after 31/3/2026). Target audience: Any practitioners involved in conversations for change, whether with clients, colleagues, students or those inside or outside their organisations. Overview: This workshop is aimed at introducing zoo and wildlife veterinary practitioners to motivational interviewing and having effective conversations for change around conservation, welfare and health. The workshop will examine how health psychology practice and behaviour change theory can be used to improve the development of goals and delivery of recommendations, how to facilitate effective 1:1 or group discussions, and how to embed new behaviours into routine. It will help build practitioners’ skills in communicating within and outside their organisations, managing diverse opinions and understanding the role of motivation in shared decision-making. Alison Burrell MSc in Health Psychology; BA in Psychology and Sociology, is chartered health psychologist at Animal Health Ireland. She trained as a psychologist supporting patients to improve their physical health in a mental health setting in NHS Scotland. Here she delivered 1:1 and group interventions to in-patients and delivered behaviour change training to mental health practitioners. She worked as a post-doctoral researcher with Teagasc, Ireland on the safefood project looking at farmers’ knowledge and attitudes towards AMR and developing behaviour change intervention recommendations. Since 2021 Alison has worked at Animal Health Ireland, adapting the principles of health psychology in a human healthcare setting to animal health research and embedding behaviour change theory and practice into AHI programmes and training in biosecurity, mastitis and welfare. Alison delivers AHI’s Conversations for Change training, and is currently chair of the Psychological Society of Ireland Division of Health Psychology. Frank O'Sullivan DVM, is a dedicated veterinary professional at Dublin Zoo, where he combines a deep passion for conservation with a strong commitment,both within the zoo and beyond to preserving biodiversity through the lens of the One Health concept, which emphasises the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Veterinary practitioner in all species. Past President of “Veterinary Ireland”,Chairperson of education, research, industry and conservation medicine committee of Veterinary Ireland. Lecturer in zoonoses at TU Dublin.
Time: 09:00 - 17:00 Location: Dublin Zoo Tutors: Bart Gazendam, Javier Martinez, Stamos Tahas Cost IN PERSON: EAZWV / AAZV members: €120, EAZWV Students: €90, Non-members: €145. (10€ increase after 31/3/2026). Target audience: Students and younger practicioners, practitioners with a bit less experience. Overview: This workshop will provide a platform to discuss new immobilisation protocols and experiences from the field that can be adapted to zoo settings. We will look at recent advances in wildlife anaesthesia in more depth, using current literature to build a strong foundation for selecting and combining drugs appropriately for different species and situations. Bart Gazendam Dr., is a specialist wildlife veterinarian based in South Africa. He completed his Master’s degree in Veterinary Science at Ghent University (Belgium) and a three-year wildlife veterinary specialisation at the University of Pretoria, followed by the South African Veterinary Council board certification. Bart’s work focuses on wildlife immobilisation, field anaesthesia and surgery in large mammals, including rhinos, elephants, antelope and large carnivores. He has been involved in numerous conservation and research projects, with particular interest in improving field anaesthesia monitoring and developing minimally invasive surgical techniques for use in remote environments. He regularly collaborates with zoos and conservation organisations internationally, providing specialist advice and hands-on veterinary support. His teaching and research aim to bridge the gap between field and zoo medicine, with a strong emphasis on welfare, safety and practical innovation. Stamos Tahas DVM, PhD, Dipl ECZM (Avian) graduated with distinction from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece) in 2011. He has spent time in mixed and small animal practice in Greece and in the UK. After completing his military service as a veterinary surgeon in the Hellenic Army he received a scholarship to study for an MSc in Conservation Science at the University of Liverpool in the UK. He undertook a rotating small animal internship at the University of Nottingham and subsequently an ACZM-approved residency at the Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife in the University of Zurich in Switzerland. He also undertook an alternative ECZM Zoo Health Management residency that was shared between the Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife at the University of Zurich and the Zoological Society of London in the UK. He moved onto Copenhagen Zoo in Denmark in 2021. He is a member of the ECZM Examination Committee. Javier Martínez-Giménez DVM, PgCert SAS, MRCVS. Graduated from Madrid Complutense University in 2013, he spent 4 years working in the UK in Small animal practice, exotic and zoo, as well as 1 year involved in the International Primate Heart Project. In 2017 he completed a Post-graduate diploma on soft tissue surgery and anesthesia at Barcelona Autonomous University. He has been head of veterinary services at Mundomar Benidorm since 2016 to 2019, and since 2021 is working as veterinary clinician at Bioparc Valencia in Spain. He is also the EAZA Swine TAG Vet Advisor since 2022. Half Day Workshops
Time: 09:00 - 13:00 Location: Dublin Zoo Tutors: Marcus Clauss, Lauren Samet, Sarah Bryne Cost IN PERSON: EAZWV / AAZV members: €75, EAZWV Students: €55, Non-members: €105. (10€ increase after 31/3/2026). Target Audience: Suitable for anyone responsible for diets and feeding of zoo birds Overview: The workshop will introduce participants to bird-specific aspects of digestion and nutrition, including nutritional disorders. It will outline strategies to put zoo bird feeding on a biological basis, including the concept of forced variety and the relevance of food presentation for behaviour, giving concrete examples. Sarah Byrne holds an MSc in Animal Nutrition and currently serves as Chair of the European Zoo Nutrition Group. She has extensive experience as a great ape keeper, with a strong background in implementing and managing dietary transitions and in delivering effective animal training programmes. Sarah also acts as Nutrition and Welfare Advisor to EAZA’s Great Ape TAG, supporting evidence-based practices that enhance the health and welfare of great apes in human care. Lauren Samet has a PhD in animal behaviour and nutrition, an MSc in Animal Welfare, and experience delivering and facilitating zoo based lectures and workshops. She has worked both commercially within the pet food sector and as a zoo animal nutritionist both within zoos and as a consultant. She is an active member, and former Co-Chair, of the European Zoo Nutrition Group. Time: 14:00-18:00 Location: Dublin Zoo Tutor: Dan Calvo Carrasco, Gabrina Goh Cost IN PERSON: EAZWV / AAZV members: €75, EAZWV Students: €55, Non-members: €105. (10€ increase after 31/3/2026). Target audience: People interested in avian medicine. Overview: This workshop will have a 2 hours theoretical part, and a 2 hours practical part. Relevant aspects of avian anatomy and physiology will be reviewed. This will be followed by a practical session for the attendes to practice different methods used in Avian orthopaedics. Dan Calvo Carrasco LV CertAVP(ZM) DipECZM(Avian) MRCVS, graduated from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona in 2010. During his whole professional career Dan has visited numerous institutions worldwide, from his natal Spain to Japan or New Zealand. He completed exotic animal medicine and zoological medicine internship at the Great Western Referrals (Swindon, UK), followed by 2 years of small animal and exotic practice in the UK. In May 2016 Dan gained his RCVS CertAVP(ZooMed) and completed his Residency in Avian Medicine in September 2016. He worked at Great Western Exotics for the following two years. In 2018 Dan joined the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, where he enjoyed the combination of conservation work with living collection management. Gabrina Goh, BVSc, graduated from the University of Queensland (Brisbane Australia) in 2014 with a BVSc with honours. She worked in a small animal clinic since graduation but has since joined the Mandai Bird Paradise team since 2017 as a veterinarian. With exposure to over 400 species of birds and a collection of almost 4000 birds, she has gained much knowledge and skills working with the various birds and has assisted with many orthopaedic surgeries in both wild birds from Singapore and collection avian species from the zoological institute. Aside to orthopaedics, she has an interest in veterinary imaging especially with computed tomography and endoscopy. |
