In conversation with Dr Hannah Donovan

Lead a Horse to Water

In this episode I'm joined by my wonderful colleague Dr Hannah Donovan a veterinary surgeon and a certificated clinical animal behaviourist (CCAB) for equines, dogs and cats. Hannah talks to me about her journey to becoming a vet and behaviourist and how horse owners, vets and behaviourists are coming together to share modern understanding of horse behaviour. Hannah and I share some tips for horse guardians about how they can better prepare for vet visits and procedures and when you need to seek the help of a behaviourist with your horse.

Dr Hannah Donovan graduated with a 2.1 Bachelor of Science Honours degree (BSc (Hons)) in Animal Science from the University of Leeds, UK, in 2006. She then went on to study for her veterinary degree, Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVM&S) at the University of Edinburgh, UK, and qualified as a vet in 2011. During her time at the University of Edinburgh, Hannah also obtained a Masters of Veterinary Science in Canine Behaviour Research (MVetSci). She then worked as a mixed vet in Lincolnshire and during this time, completed a Master of Science in Clinical Animal Behaviour (MSc) at the University of Lincoln, UK, she graduated with distinction in 2013. Since then, Hannah has worked in small animal practices in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, she has also travelled and volunteered around the world in clinics and shelters, and spent some time working in a large RSPCA hospital and shelter in Sydney, Australia.

Hannah has worked as a veterinary surgeon since 2011 and has been seeing behaviour referrals simultaneously since 2013. Hannah has enjoyed providing continued education for vets and vet staff around the world about animal behaviour and how to improve handling and understanding during veterinary visits, rehabilitation of rescued animals or teaching young animals and preventing behaviour issues. Hannah’s aim has always been to improve animals’ quality of life and welfare by continually learning herself and teaching owners, trainers, veterinary and shelter staff.

Hannah now sees veterinary-referred behavioural cases all over the world, thanks to the development in virtual consultations in the last 18 months. Hannah is an RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons) Advanced Practitioner in Companion Animal Behaviour, an ASAB (the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour) accredited Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB) for Dogs, Cats and Equines, an ABTC (Animal Behaviour and Training Council) registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist and registered Veterinary Behaviourist, a Full Member of the APBC (Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors), a Director and Certificated Member of the FAB Clinicians (Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians) and a Committee Member of the BVBA (British Veterinary Behaviour Association).

Check them Hannah here https://donovanvetbehaviour.com

FABClinicians Q & A Sessions available to vet staff for free. https://fabclinicians.org/veterinary-q-and-a-sessions/

A Horse Case for The Horse Trust on January 26th 2022. https://horsetrust.org.uk/training-courses/continued-professional-development/

Life from the animal’s perspective for Animal Therapies on February 2nd 2022. https://whova.com/embedded/event/assnc_202202/?utc_source=ems

Equine Fears and Phobias Webinar for FABC and The Horse Trust. March 30th 2022 https://fabclinicians.org/public-calendar/