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Radincon became a VetPD Asia-Pacific industry partner in 2022, where courses are currently designed for equine vets. The courses are scheduled from February to June, avoiding busy times like the foaling season as well as major Australian events like the Bain Fallon Memorial Lectures.
What that means is:
From our perspective, it’s been a fantastic opportunity to get out and meet some amazing vets. The small-group style encourages great conversations too.
After all the hard work of the 2023 training courses, we caught up with Petra Pellew of VetPD to find out a little more about the business and its history.
VetPD was founded in 2011 by Dr Emmanuel Engeli, an equine vet specialising in surgery. He realised there was a lack of no-nonsense, hands-on training with a practical focus for more experienced practitioners, and that’s what VetPD set out to deliver.
The first courses ran in November 2011 in Germany. Given Emmanuel’s background and contacts, the initial focus was on equine issues and treatments. The model was very successful and VetPD was soon running courses in most European countries.
From 2015, the company expanded into the US market, where it has an administrative office in Florida.
VetPD has also expanded its scope and now offers training courses for small animal vets as well as equine vets.
VetPD’s success and growth is built on some basic principles:
Graeme and Janelle McLeod, Australian equine vets, met the VetPD team while working at the Turkish Jockey Club. They joked at the time that when they returned to Australia they should set up VetPD courses there – and some years later the joke turned into reality.
The McLeods used their strong local network to run the Australian program until their retirement 3 years ago. Dr Gillian Burns has since taken over and manages the logistics of the current Australian courses.
Partnering in the last couple of years has helped us build relationships with the team, and we’re glad they seem to like us too. Here’s what Petra Pellew had to say:
‘The responsiveness of the Radincon team is fantastic, and the equipment is absolutely excellent. We get good feedback on the quality of the equipment and there’s always enough for everyone. Events run smoothly too. Jon’s one of those people who rise to a challenge. For example, we run events at private equine clinics, and not all of them have full AV equipment. Or they may not be set up with a large monitor so that everyone can see what the instructor is demonstrating. But Jon always comes up with some kind of construction to make things work. It’s amazing.’
Just like every other business running in-person events, VetPD was hard hit by COVID. There was no option but to reinvent. The company livestreamed planned events, which at least meant the registered vets could listen to the lectures. It also introduced panel discussions, which are available live or as a recording. (Ideal for all of us in Australia, since panels usually take place in the small hours of the night!)
The panel discussion concept includes:
The panel discussions proved very popular. Some colleges now recommend them to residents, and from September 2023 they will be AAVSB RACE-approved too.
In-person courses began again in mid-2021. VetPD had to develop new processes and protocols to comply with COVID regulations across multiple countries, but the purpose was always to give vets the advanced, specialist training they need.
Vets are, and have always been, incredibly busy. COVID has made them more aware of options for online training – and of the advantages of spending less time on travel, away from the practice. At the same time, there’s nothing like practical training experience. In some countries, it’s actually required in order to keep your licence.
VetPD plans to continue offering both online and in-person training, keeping its focus on advanced and specialised topics.
As for Radincon, we’re fans of quality veterinary training using high quality veterinary equipment. Roll on 2024!