Speaker bio page for Joe Collins

Bio

Joe is a graduate of University College Dublin and has been a veterinarian for more than 30 years. He spent the first 20 years as an equine clinician, mainly in private practice but with an equine residency at Cambridge University in the middle. Joe completed two RCVS clinical certificates and thought he knew it all! A PhD in equine welfare, supported by World Horse Welfare, following by a research project and employment with The Donkey Sanctuary opened his eyes to how little true regard he had sometimes given to the sentience and welfare of the equines under his care, and he winces to recall how ignorant he had been when treating donkeys in particular. Joe will illustrate the importance for welfare NGOs to listen to the true needs and experiences of equines and how vital it is to keep these at the heart of what vets do; and how we can use a novel tool to assess donkey welfare and the impact of the work we do. He will encourage and assist colleagues to treat donkeys as the species they are. By highlighting their key differences – behaviour, physiology, nutrition, medication and anatomy he’ll show how approaches must differ from those used with their larger relatives. Pulling from his years of experience in equine clinical practice and welfare organisations in Europe, Asia, Africa and Central America, Joe will add insights as to how vets should better assess quality-of-life and make end-of-life decisions that are both principled and pragmatic.