Lorena Hal DipHE BSc (Hons)

Prior to graduating from Lincoln University in 2009, Lorena held various roles within the animal care sector, ranging from kennels to veterinary establishments, even to parrot keeper. She is preparing for a MRes/PhD focusing on Meticillin resistant zoonoses. Lorena has worked closely with The Bella Moss Foundation assisting with publications and more recently the development of a series of lectures for student veterinary nurses focussing on resistant infections and infection control, including hand washing workshops. If you would like Lorena to offer your practice a talk please contact info@thebellamossfoundation.com

Louise O’Dwyer DMS, BSc(Hons), DipAVN (Medical), Dip AVN (Surgical), NCert(A&CC), RVN.

Louise O’Dwyer qualified as a veterinary nurse in 1999 after completing her BSc (Hons) in Environmental Science. She gained her Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing (Surgical) in 2004 followed by her Diploma in AdvancedVeterinary Nursing (Medical) in 2007.

She has worked as Head Nurse for PetMedics in Manchester the largest emergency clinic in the UK for the past 11 years, during this time she has also been involved in veterinary nurse training and CPD. Louise has lectured regularly for BSAVA, BVNA, VetsNow, The Blue Cross, College of Animal Welfare, Harper Adams University, Myercough College, CPD Solutions, including the KeySteps online programmes, Excel CPD, Achieve CPD, Improve CPD.

Louise’s role within the practice means she is involved in the treatment of small animal wounds on a daily basis. This role involves the initial triage and treatment of many acute traumatic wounds through to chronic wounds, many of which are referred specifically for her care from surrounding practices because they are encountering difficulties in their treatment.  
The past 5 years have seen Louise become heavily involved in the education of veterinary nurses within both CPD as well as through articles for publications such as VNJ, VN Times and Veterinary Review. 2007 saw the publication of Louise’s book ‘Wound Management for the Veterinary Nurse and Technician’ by Elsevier, Louise is currently in the process of co-authoring her second book Practical Emergency and Critical Care Veterinary Nursing, due for publication in 2012.

Louise is about to embark on a PhD in MRSA Epidemiology and wound biofilms which will focus on strains of MRSA in small animals and their owners, along with the bacteria in small animal wound biofilms and the use of topical antimicrobial dressings including Manuka honey, PHMB and silver.
Louise is happy to lecture on subjects including Wound management, MRSA and infection control and all aspects of emergency and critical care nursing.