Join Vets for Climate Action for our March Masterclass - Prepared, Not Perfect: Practical Emergency Readiness for Veterinary Teams with Dr Hayley Squance.

Emergencies rarely unfold according to plan, yet veterinary professionals are often among the first called to respond when animals and communities are in crisis. In this engaging and practical masterclass, Dr Hayley Squance will explore how veterinary teams can strengthen their readiness for the unexpected, without the pressure of perfection.

Drawing on insights from over 50 real-world emergency responses as the National Animal Welfare Emergency Management Coordinator for New Zealand and her PhD research in emergency management, Hayley will unpack what it truly means to be “prepared” in practice.

From understanding the human stress response and decision-making under pressure, to building team confidence and adaptive systems that work when it matters most. Participants will gain simple, actionable steps to enhance their own and their team’s emergency capability, strengthen wellbeing during challenging events, and recognise the vital role veterinary professionals play in community resilience.

Whether you’re in clinical practice, animal welfare, or the broader veterinary field, this session will inspire you to take the first step toward a crisis-ready profession. One that is prepared, not perfect!

About the Presenter:

Dr Hayley Squance is a veterinary professional and leading expert in animal emergency management, dedicated to unlocking potential and building resilience. With a PhD in Emergency Management, she focuses on practical solutions to enhance crisis preparedness and response.

Hayley spent five years as New Zealand’s National Animal Welfare Emergency Management Coordinator, overseeing more than 50 emergency and disaster events, and led the development of the Massey University Veterinary Emergency Response Team—the first of its kind in Australasia.

She has advised the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) on developing global veterinary emergency management capability and now works as a keynote speaker, author, and mentor, helping public and private sectors strengthen integrated approaches to emergency management in an increasingly complex world.