SPEAKERS

Cat Walker is a Veterinary Mediator & Conflict Coach, Lawyer, Registered Veterinary Nurse, International Speaker, Veterinary Mental Health Peer Worker and Associate Lecturer at the University of Queensland’s School of Veterinary Science. With extensive experience spanning clinical practice and practice management, Cat has successfully owned and managed both general practice and emergency hospitals. She is a published author on clinical communication for veterinary professionals and is currently completing her Graduate Certificate in Mental Health and Neuroscience, further deepening her expertise in these areas.

Cat is the founding director of a veterinary complaints outsourcing and consulting service dedicated to partnering with clinics to develop effective strategies for reducing client conflicts and complaints. She is also the founder of a specialized mediation and conflict coaching service tailored for veterinary professionals. Passionate about empowering veterinary teams, Cat focuses on enhancing patient outcomes and team wellbeing by equipping teams with evidence-based conflict resolution and clinical communication strategies grounded in conflict theory, neuroscience and mental health principles.

Dr Ian Gallagher

A 1988 graduate of the University of Queensland, Dr Ian Gallagher is the Founder and Director of Jimboomba Veterinary Surgery and a respected leader within Queensland’s veterinary profession. With decades of clinical and business experience, he brings deep insight into the realities of frontline practice. He currently serves on the Veterinary Surgeons Board of Queensland (VSB) through a Ministerial Appointment, contributing to the regulation, standards and professional accountability of veterinary practice across the state.

Dr Terry King

Graduating from the University of Queensland in 1975, Dr Terry King is a highly regarded, retired clinician whose career includes serving as Director and Referral Clinician at Veterinary Specialist Services (2002-2016). He is an elected member of the Veterinary Surgeons Board of Queensland, where he continues to apply his extensive clinical, governance and regulatory experience to support the profession and uphold public trust.

Understanding the Veterinary Surgeons Board: Regulation, Complaints & the Path to Confident Clinical Practice

In this joint presentation, Dr Gallagher and Dr King will demystify the role and function of the Veterinary Surgeons Board of Queensland, offering a practical, transparent look at how regulation supports both veterinarians and the public.

Key Topics Include:
1. The Role of the VSB
2. Complaints Management: What Every Vet Should Know
3. What’s New in Queensland Veterinary Regulation
4. Q&A Session.

This session aims to shift the mindset from fear of complaints to confidence in clinical practice, helping veterinarians refocus on the real challenges - clinical reasoning, staffing, equipment access and contextualised care - rather than regulatory anxiety.