The Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre (SJDAWC) at the Atlantic Veterinary College and the AVC Animal Welfare Club with support from the Animal Welfare Foundation of Canada invites you to its online symposium on Animal welfare in practice: The welfare of reptiles and amphibians.

Deadline to register for the public talk and symposium: Thursday, October 27 at 5:00 p.m. ADT


Friday October 28, 4:00-5:00 p.m. ADT

Cold-blooded care: Understanding the needs of captive reptiles

Dr. Anna Wilkinson, PhD, Professor of Animal Cognition, University of Lincoln

Presented Virtually using Zoom, Free and open to the public


Saturday October 29, 10:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. ADT

10:00-10:45 a.m. ADT

Cold-blooded cognition

Dr. Anna Wilkinson, PhD, Professor of Animal Cognition, University of Lincoln


10:45-11:30 a.m. ADT

Pathogens, pet-trade, and policy: Reptile and amphibian welfare in the UK

Dr. Jon Bielby, PhD, Lecturer, Liverpool John Moores University


11:30a.m.-12:00 p.m. ADT

Panel Discussion with Drs. Wilkinson and Bielby

12:00-12:30 p.m. ADT

Lunch Break


12:30-1:15 p.m. ADT

Assessing reptile welfare in clinical practice

Dr. Lara Cusack, DVM, Assistant Professor, Atlantic Veterinary College


1:15-1:45 p.m. ADT

Pathology of diseases in reptiles and amphibians

Dr. Shannon Martinson, DVM, MVSc (UPEI); Dipl.ACVP, Associate Professor, Atlantic Veterinary College


1:45-2:00 p.m. ADT

Resources for the veterinary community

AVC Zoo, Exotics and Wildlife Medicine Club


2:00-2:30 p.m. ADT

Panel discussion with Dr. Cusack, Dr. Martinson and AVC students

2:30 p.m. Adjourn


Registration information and cost

The SJDAWC does require a registration fee for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, or other members of the veterinary community. Registration fees for veterinary or animal health technician students are subsidized by SJDAWC and will be at no cost.

  • $50 for the symposium

HST and Eventbrite fees will be added when registering.

To register: Click here – Eventbrite


Continuing education information

The SJDAWC’s symposium will issue continuing education (CE) credits to registered veterinarians and veterinary technicians attending the live symposium. Each hour you attend the symposium qualifies you for up to four hours of CE credit. To be eligible for this credit you must meet the following qualifications and provide the following information:

  • Be a registered veterinarian or veterinary technician.
  • Provide your license number and state/province of licensure.
  • Pay the appropriate registration fee for the symposium.
  • Attend the symposium live.