A look back on 2025 – Julian Hoad, BSAVA President

22 December 2025

As 2025 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on a year filled with progress, innovation, and a deep sense of shared purpose across the BSAVA community. It has been a year in which the Association continued to evolve, responding to the changing needs of the profession while staying true to our mission of supporting veterinary teams and advancing small animal practice.

One of the most exciting developments this year was the launch of Rover, our new AI-supported educational and clinical assistance platform. Rover represents a significant step forward in how we deliver information, CPD, and practical support to veterinary professionals. Developed through extensive collaboration between our volunteers, subject specialists, and the team at Woodrow House, Rover provides vets with rapid access to reliable, BSAVA-approved content. Early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with members praising its accessibility, accuracy, and ability to enhance clinical decision-making in busy practice environments. Rover is a powerful example of how technology, when guided by veterinary expertise, can genuinely support both learning and patient care — and we are excited to continue expanding its capabilities in 2026.

Our regional events have remained a cornerstone of BSAVA activity throughout the year. Vets Cymru and BSAVA Alba once again delivered tailored CPD for colleagues in Wales and Scotland, bringing together local communities to share knowledge and strengthen professional connections. Meanwhile, our 12 Regions have produced a rich, varied programme of day and evening CPD — face-to-face and online — ensuring that members across the UK can access training that suits their professional needs and personal circumstances. The dedication of our regional volunteers has been exceptional, and their work continues to demonstrate the strength and reach of the Association at a local level.

A significant focus of our external work this year has been our engagement with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). As the CMA’s review of the veterinary sector has unfolded, BSAVA has continued to work closely with the BVA and BVNA to explain the clinical realities of small animal practice, including the complexities of case management, drug supply, and service delivery. Our priority in this work has been to ensure that any recommendations arising from the review are grounded in a clear understanding of veterinary practice and support the sustainability of the profession. We remain committed to representing the interests of our members, and we will continue this proactive engagement as the CMA’s work progresses into next year.

On the scientific front, we were delighted to host our Clinical Research Abstract (CRAs) award winners for 2025 at the London Vet Show. The standard of submissions was exceptionally high, showcasing an impressive breadth of research undertaken across general practice, academia, and industry. The CRAs continue to demonstrate that clinical research is vibrant and thriving within our profession, and they provide an invaluable platform for researchers at all stages of their careers. We are looking forward to collaborating with BVA Live to showcase our CRA’s in 2026.

Internationally, I had the honour of representing BSAVA at the WSAVA Congress in Rio de Janeiro this year. The congress served as a powerful reminder of the global nature of the veterinary community and the shared challenges we face — from workforce wellbeing to animal welfare, from access to education to the role of technology in practice. Our conversations with international colleagues were constructive and energising, strengthening BSAVA’s relationships worldwide and offering new perspectives to inform our future work.

Closer to home, we have continued our longstanding support of the Links Group, whose essential work highlights the critical connection between animal abuse and domestic abuse. BSAVA’s funding supports the Group’s regular meetings and collaborative work with safeguarding organisations, charities, and frontline professionals. This is an area where veterinary teams can make a profound difference, and our continued involvement reflects our commitment not only to animal welfare but also to the safety and wellbeing of people in vulnerable situations.

Our PGCert programmes, publications, and educational resources have all continued to flourish this year. From updated manuals to new digital tools, our teams have worked tirelessly to ensure that BSAVA remains a trusted, authoritative source of veterinary knowledge. Their dedication — as well as the contributions of our talented volunteer authors and editors — continues to be one of the Association’s greatest strengths. We are really looking forward to the start of our new educational programme – LUMOS – coming in 2026.

Reflecting on the past year, I am reminded again and again of the extraordinary contributions of our volunteers. From committee work to event organisation, from speaking and writing to mentoring the next generation, their passion and generosity underpin everything BSAVA achieves. If you have ever considered volunteering, I wholeheartedly encourage you to get involved — it is deeply rewarding, immensely valuable, and a wonderful way to help shape the future of our profession.