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Become a sustainability champion today

This course will empower veterinary professionals to drive the changes needed at a practice level to meet the needs of a changing profession, offering a step-by-step guide to action sustainability in veterinary practice and embed these principles into our daily veterinary work.

  • Sustainability course designed for veterinarians and paraprofessionals

  • Self-Paced Online Learning Course

  • Designed to fit around busy work and life schedules

  • Suitable for all roles within the veterinary profession

  • Primarily companion animal focused, although the principles are applicable to all spheres of clinical practice

  • Create an environmental management system for your workplace - including policies, audits and action plans

  • Equivalent to 35 hours of CPD

  • Attain a LANTRA accredited certificate

Curriculum

    1. Course Overview

    2. Welcome to the Course from Module Authors

    3. Modules

    4. What to Expect

    5. How to Navigate The Course - Top Tips

    6. Pre-CPD Questionnaire

    7. Directory of recommended reading and resources

    8. About Us

    1. Brief Overview

    2. Module Champion: Hannah James

    3. TASK 5.1 Introduction

    4. 5.1 Introduction

    5. 5.2 Procurement

    6. 5.2.1 Procurement - Life Cycle Analysis

    7. TASK 5.2.1 Procurement

    8. QUICK QUIZ 5.2.1 Procurement - Circular Economy

    9. 5.2.2 Procurement - Sustainable Procurement Considerations

    10. DEEP DIVE 5.2.2 Procurement

    11. 5.2.3 Procurement - Vet Sustain Green Procurement List

    12. TASK 5.2.3 Procurement - Green Swaps

    13. 5.2.4 Procurement - Sustainable Procurement Policy

    14. 5.3 Stock Control

    15. 5.4 Energy Use in Practice - Electricity

    16. QUICK QUIZ 5.4 Energy Use in Practice

    17. 5.4.1 Energy Use in Practice continued

    18. TASK 5.4.1 Energy Use in Practice

    19. 5.4.2 Energy Use in Practice - Solar Panels

    20. TASK 5.4.2 Energy Use in Practice

    21. DEEP DIVE 5.4.2 Energy Use in Practice

    22. 5.4.3 Energy Use in Practice - Central Heating

    23. QUICK QUIZ 5.4.3 Energy Use in Practice

    24. 5.5 Water Use in Practice

    25. TASK 5.5 Water Use in Practice

    26. 5.5.1 Water Use in Practice

    27. DEEP DIVE 5.5.1 Water Use in Practice

    28. 5.6 Paper Use in Practice

    29. 5.7 Responsible Resource Use

    30. TASK 5.7 Responsible Resource Use

    31. 5.8 Final Reflection

    32. 5.9 References

    1. Brief Overview

    2. Module Champion: Andrew Prentis

    3. 6.1 Introduction

    4. 6.2 ‘Efficient Buildings’ - what do we need to think about?

    5. 6.3 New buildings

    6. 6.3.1 Sustainable Design and Materials Selection

    7. 6.3.2 Energy efficient systems

    8. 6.3.3 Water conservation and flood prevention

    9. 6.3.4 Green roofs and walls

    10. DEEP DIVE 6.3.4 Green roofs and walls

    11. 6.4 Retro-fitting and improving existing buildings

    12. TASK 6.4 Retro-fitting and improving existing buildings

    13. 6.4.1 Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)

    14. TASK 6.4.1 Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)

    15. 6.4.2 Prioritising actions

    16. QUICK QUIZ 6.4.2 Prioritising actions

    17. 6.4.3 Identify areas of heat loss

    18. TASK 6.4.3 Identify areas of heat loss

    19. 6.4.4 Insulate, insulate, insulate!

    20. 6.5 Lower carbon heating

    21. DEEP DIVE 6.5 Lower carbon heating

    22. 6.5.1 Lower carbon heating - what are the options?

    23. DEEP DIVE 6.5.1 Lower carbon heating - what are the options?

    24. QUICK QUIZ 6.5.1 Lower carbon heating - what are the options?

    25. 6.6 Cooling

    26. 6.6.1 Air conditioning

    27. 6.7 Outside space

    28. 6.7.1 Outside space - Water conservation and flooding prevention

    29. 6.7.2 Outside space - Become a bee friendly practice

    30. QUICK QUIZ 6.7.1 Become a bee friendly practice

    31. 6.7.3 Outside space - other measures

    32. TASK 6.7.3 Outside space - other measures

    33. 6.7.4 Outside space - other measures

    34. 6.8 Sustainable transport

    35. 6.8.1 Sustainable transport - Establishing a baseline

    36. TASK 6.8.1 Sustainable transport - Establishing a baseline

    37. 6.8.2 Sustainable transport - Establishing a baseline

    38. DEEP DIVE 6.8.2 Sustainable transport - Establishing a baseline

    39. 6.8.3 Sustainable transport - Establishing a baseline

    40. 6.8.4 The Sustainable Travel Hierarchy

    41. 6.8.5 Practice owned vehicles

    42. DEEP DIVE 6.8.5 Practice owned vehicles

    43. 6.8.6 Grey fleet

    44. 6.8.7 Employee Commuting

    45. 6.8.8 Client travel

    46. 6.8.9 Creating a travel policy

    47. TASK 6.8.9 Creating a travel policy

    48. 6.9 Final Reflection

    49. 6.10 References

    1. Brief Overview

    2. Module Champion: Justine Shotton

    3. 7.1 Introduction

    4. TASK 7.2 Responsible Parasiticide Use

    5. 7.2 Responsible Parasiticide Use

    6. DEEP DIVE 7.2 Responsible Parasiticide Use

    7. TASK 7.2 Responsible Parasiticide Use

    8. 7.3 The Incidence Of Parasitic Disease And The Evidence For Ecotoxicity

    9. DEEP DIVE 7.3 The Incidence Of Parasitic Disease And The Evidence For Ecotoxicity

    10. QUICK QUIZ 7.3 The Incidence Of Parasitic Disease And The Evidence For Ecotoxicity

    11. DEEP DIVE 7.4 What Actions Can We Take To Tackle This Problem?

    12. 7.4 What Actions Can We Take To Tackle This Problem?

    13. TASK 7.4 What Actions Can We Take To Tackle This Problem?

    14. 7.5 How Can We Adopt Selective Parasite Treatment Regimes

    15. TASK 7.5 How Can We Adopt Selective Parasite Treatment Regimes

    16. 7.6 Anaesthetic Gases are Greenhouse Gases

    17. 7.7 How To Practise Sustainable Anaesthesia

    18. TASK 7.7 How To Practise Sustainable Anaesthesia

    19. 7.7.1 How To Practise Sustainable Anaesthesia

    20. DEEP DIVE 7.7.1 How To Practise Sustainable Anaesthesia

    21. 7.8 The Problem Of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

    22. DEEP DIVE 7.8 The Problem Of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

    23. TASK 7.8 The Problem Of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

    24. TASK 7.8.1 The Problem Of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

    25. DEEP DIVE 7.8.1 The Problem Of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

    26. 7.9 The Microbiome

    27. 7.10 Responsible Antimicrobial Stewardship

    28. DEEP DIVE 7.10 Responsible Antimicrobial Stewardship

    29. 7.10.1 Responsible Antimicrobial Stewardship

    30. TASK 7.10.1 Responsible Antimicrobial Stewardship

    31. DEEP DIVE 7.10.1 Responsible Antimicrobial Stewardship

    32. 7.11 Novel Technology To Reduce Antimicrobial Use

    33. TASK 7.11 Novel Technology To Reduce Antimicrobial Use

    34. 7.12 Perioperative Antibiotic Use

    35. QUICK QUIZ 7.12 Perioperative Antibiotic Use

    36. 7.13 The Carbon Cost Of Oral Vs Parenteral Drug Routes

    37. 7.14 Chemicals Used For Cleaning Clinical Environments

    38. TASK 7.14 Chemicals Used For Cleaning Clinical Environments

    39. 7.14.1 Chemicals Used For Cleaning Clinical Environments continued

    40. 7.15 Chemical-Free Cleaning

    41. TASK 7.15 Chemical-Free Cleaning

    42. DEEP DIVE 7.15 Chemical-Free Cleaning

    43. 7.16 Washing and Drying Laundry

    44. DEEP DIVE 7.16 Washing and Drying Laundry

    45. 7.17 Final Reflection

    46. 7.18 References

    1. Part 2 Completion and Introduction to Part 3

    2. Course Conclusion

    3. ASACVP Assignment: Integrating sustainability initiatives in practice

About this course

  • £450.00
  • 138 lessons
  • Live and Recorded Tutorials from Course Facilitator
  • Interactive Content including Charts and Figures, as well as videos from Module Champions
  • Opportunity for Deep Dives and Recommended Reading

Future Course Dates

Our next courses will run in April and October 2025. Places are limited, register your interest now

What Students Can Expect From The Course

  • Discussion Forums

    Students will have the opportunity to join and interact with a community of like minded veterinary professionals taking the course at the same time

  • Online Tutorials

    Option to attend live (recorded) online tutorials at the beginning, middle and end of the course to consolidate the learning material, address specific questions and participate in discussions

  • LANTRA Certificate

    Upon completion of the course and submission of an assignment successful students will receive a LANTRA accredited certificate

Hear what those who have joined the course have to say:

I have found it incredibly interesting and informative!

Judy Scrine, Veterinary Surgeon and Member BVA Electoral College

'I have found [the course] incredibly interesting and informative. It is helping me to fill the many gaps in my knowledge about sustainability, and it is also allowing me to be much better prepared to enter into meaningful climate change conservations... I have already been inspired to make a significant number of changes in my own sphere, and feel I now have the information to encourage others to do the same. Not to mention satisfying all 35 hours of my CPD requirements in one chunk! Thank you Vet Sustain'

An excellent course!

Helen Gould, Vet & Old Hall Vets Practice Owner.

"An excellent course. Really well put together. Very accessible and full of interesting and pertinent information all of which is of immediate use as we strive to make the vet profession more sustainable."

Wow! This is hands down the most comprehensive course of its kind in the world

Dr Diccon Westworth

"I have just completed the course A Sustainable Approach to Clinical Veterinary Practice - offered through Vet Sustain. Wow! This is hands down the most comprehensive course of its kind in the world. Not only is it detailed and accurate, it is full of very practical and immediately implementable measures to enable you to reduce your hospital's impact. It is well paced and together with your learning cohort you get to share ideas and your trials and tribulations in this space! I felt energized and driven the entire way through! Thank you so much to all of those involved at Vet Sustain for creating this educational masterpiece! This tool together with the carbon calculator now has empowered the entire profession to lead the way to practicing more sustainably ... the solutions are very much in our hands!"

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Am I eligible to sign up for the course?

  • This course is primarily companion animal focussed, although the principles are applicable across all clinical practices. All veterinary professionals and members of the wider veterinary team (including practice management) are welcome to enrol on the course. There is some scientific content throughout the course, but learners should not find this too challenging.

  • How much is the course?

  • The price of the course is £1,250 +VAT per student. Overseas (non-UK) businesses only may be eligible for a non-VAT price of £1,250.

  • How long with the course take me to complete?

  • We expect each module to take around 3 - 5 hours to complete over the course of 6-9 months. In addition there are a number of deep dives and a list of further reading for those interested in a particular area or wishing to expand their knowledge further. We highly recommend diarising regular study sessions to keep progressing through the course content.

  • How much support with I have during the course?

  • There will be a live (and recorded) tutorial with the community and course organisers at the beginning, and in the middle of the course to consolidate learning, address specific questions and participate in discussions. Students will also join a community of veterinary professionals all taking the course at the same time, to help each other along the way.

  • What do I need to accomplish in order to complete the course and receive my LANTRA accredited certificate?

  • During the course there will be discussion tasks and quick quizzes to solidify learning throughout the course which are compulsory. In order to receive the LANTRA accredited certificate for completing the course, you are also required to complete an assignment. You will accumulate all the knowledge you require during the course to complete this assignment. In the assignment, you should formulate a strategy for driving sustainability within your clinical veterinary business, in-depth assessment guidance is given in the course.

Meet our Course Authors

Zoe Halfacree

MA VetMB CertVDI CertSAS FHEA DipECVS FRCVS.

Zoë is a veterinary surgeon with a passion for environmental sustainability. She is a European specialist in small animal veterinary surgery (Soft Tissue) and works at Davies Veterinary Specialists, Linnaeus. Zoë previously worked at the Royal Veterinary College and has provided training to other veterinary professionals via lecturing nationally and internationally, publishing scientific papers and writing book chapters. Zoë was awarded the Fellowship of The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in August 2021 for meritorious contribution to clinical veterinary practice. She is a subject matter expert for Sustainability on the Linnaeus Clinical Board. Zoë is a Director of Vet Sustain and was Chair of the Greener Veterinary Practice working group from 2020 to 2022. Zoë has completed the Cambridge Institute of Sustainable Leadership course in Business Sustainability in 2020 and is currently completing a Masters course in Sustainability and Behaviour Change at the Centre for Alternative Technology, Wales. Zoë was recognised as the Green Individual of the year by Webinar Vet in 2023 for her work in sustainability in clinical practice.
Zoe Halfacree

Becky Sedman

BVSc MRCVS

Becky graduated from Liverpool in 2018 and currently works for a small animal referral hospital in Yorkshire. She previously completed the Business Sustainability Management course with the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, worked as the Sustainability Advisor for VetPartners and was a previous Chair of the Vet Sustain Greener Veterinary Practice working group. Becky has practical experience of implementing an environmental management system in a large first opinion veterinary hospital whereby they successfully achieved the highest level Investors in the Environment award. She has delivered a number of webinars and presentations on the topic of sustainability at veterinary conferences and universities.
Becky Sedman

Jen Gale

BVetMed Dip Coaching(Hons) MRCVS

Jen qualified in 2004 from the Royal Veterinary College and worked in small animal practice for over 10 years. She is the founder of Sustainable(ish) - a platform all about empowering and inspiring ‘ordinary non-greenies’ to take imperfect eco-action, and is the author of The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide and The Sustainable(ish) Guide to Green Parenting. Jen is a qualified coach and a certified Carbon Literacy trainer, as well as Vet Sustain Director.
Jen Gale

About Vet Sustain

Vet Sustain supports veterinary professionals to become leading forces for sustainability

Vet Sustain is a not-for-profit community interest company on a mission to inspire and enable members of the veterinary professions to drive change for a more sustainable future. Vet Sustain produces the tools, training, communications and advocacy centred around our six Veterinary Sustainability Goals, to help veterinary professionals and teams to continually improve the health and wellbeing of animals, people and the environment through their day-to-day work. We seek to contribute to global food strategy, particularly around animal health and welfare and sustainable agriculture, and develop relationships and networks, to build capacity and collaborate globally.
Visit the Vet Sustain Website

Pricing Options

The price of the course is £1,250.00 +VAT

All UK residents and overseas individuals are subject to Value Added Tax (VAT). Overseas businesses are eligible to purchase the course exclusive of VAT, this discount will be automatically applied at the checkout when valid business details are provided.
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Overseas Registration

Not from the UK? No Problem!

Participants are able to purchase the course in a range of local currencies. Here are our most popular choices - if your currency is not listed please email us [email protected]. Overseas businesses are eligible to purchase the course exclusive of VAT, this discount will be automatically applied at the checkout when valid business details are provided.


Currency
 Price
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 Currency
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Australian Dollars (AUD)  $2,400.00 Click here for AUD New Zealand Dollars (NZD)
  $2,600.00 Click here for NZD
Danish Krone (DKK)  DKK 10,995.00 Click here for DKK US Dollars (USD)
  $1,595.00 Click Here for USD
Euros (EUR)  €1,475.00 Click here for EUR