About
Catherine Phillips is Head of Department and Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Nursing at Hartpury University. She holds a Master's in Veterinary Education and is a registered small animal and equine veterinary nurse. She leads the BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing and Equine Veterinary Nursing programs and contributes to postgraduate veterinary nursing education.
Her educational background includes clinical training and registration in both small animal and equine veterinary nursing, followed by a transition into academic leadership. She has played key roles in shaping national veterinary nursing standards through participation in curriculum development and external examination.
Her research interests span veterinary oncology, animal biomechanics, and client decision-making in end-of-life care. Her publications focus on chemotherapy decisions for terminally ill pets, kinematics in agility dogs, and intraoperative hypothermia in equine surgery. These works reflect a commitment to improving clinical outcomes and client communication in veterinary practice.
The body of her recent publications shows a consistent focus on applied clinical research, with strong themes in owner behavior, surgical recovery, and performance veterinary medicine. Her work bridges clinical practice and academic rigor, often involving interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Honorary Associate of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (2015)
Catherine Phillips has extensive experience in academic leadership and external quality assurance. She has served as an external examiner for multiple universities including Bristol Veterinary School, Harper Adams University, and University College Dublin. She has also advised on program validation for institutions such as the Royal Veterinary College and Writtle University College. Her grants and funding details are not specified, but her sustained research output and national roles suggest significant professional engagement.
She is actively involved in editorial and policy-making roles, including membership on the editorial boards of The Veterinary Nurse and UK Vet Equine, and participation in RCVS committees on ethics, fitness to practice, and syllabus development. These roles position her as a key figure in advancing veterinary nursing standards across the UK and internationally.
