Dan G. O'Neill

Dan G. O'Neill is an Associate Professor in Companion Animal Epidemiology at The Royal Veterinary College (RVC), specializing in veterinary epidemiology and animal welfare research. He co-leads the VetCompass Programme, a major research initiative collecting primary-care veterinary clinical data to generate evidence on breed health in dogs and cats. His work spans both research and teaching, supervising numerous undergraduate and post-graduate projects.

Dr. O'Neill's educational background includes:

• MVB MRCVS (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine) from University College Dublin (1982-1987)
• BSc(hons) Pharm (Faculty of Science) from University College Dublin (1991-1992)
• Multiple Graduate Certificates (SAP, FelP, Derm, B&PS) from International School of Veterinary Post-graduate Studies
• MSc(VetEpi) from The Royal Veterinary College (2009-2010)
• PhD in Pathobiology and Population Sciences from The Royal Veterinary College (2010-2013)
• PGCertVetEd FHEA from Royal Veterinary College (2018-2019)

Dan O'Neill's research focuses on veterinary epidemiology, particularly breed-related health issues in companion animals. His work examines the health implications of extreme conformations in dogs, especially brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds. Through the VetCompass Programme, he has generated substantial evidence on breed predispositions to disease, contributing significantly to animal welfare science. His research combines large-scale data analysis with clinical studies to address critical welfare issues in companion animals.

His extensive publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on canine and feline epidemiology, with particular emphasis on brachycephalic conditions, breed-related disorders, and welfare assessment. The research shows strong methodological rigor using large-scale primary care data, with applications spanning clinical practice, breeding standards, and public policy. His work increasingly addresses the intersection of animal welfare science and public perception, particularly regarding extreme conformations in popular dog breeds.

Dr. O'Neill has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing his contributions to veterinary science:

• Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (2018)
• BSAVA - Blaine Award for Advancement of Small Animal Science (2019)
• RVC - James Bee Student Nominated Award for Outstanding Project Supervisor (2019, 2023)
• RVC - First prize for PGCertVetEd (2020)
• Kennel Club Charitable Trust 'International Canine Health Award' (2021)
• All Party Parliamentary Group 'Phillippa Robinson Dog Welfare Award' (2024)

As an educator, Dr. O'Neill has supervised numerous undergraduate and postgraduate students through the VetCompass Programme, which serves as a teaching resource for student projects. His research has been supported by significant grants from organizations including the RSPCA (for his PhD development of VetCompass), Dogs Trust (for post-doctoral research on welfare scoring methods), and the Kennel Club Charitable Trust (as their Companion Animal Epidemiologist from 2014-2017).

Dr. O'Neill chairs the UK Brachycephalic Working Group (since 2016) and is a founding member of several important organizations including the International Collaborative on Extreme Conformations in Dogs (ICECDogs), the Dog Breeding Reform Group (DBRG), and the Legal Advisory Group on Extreme Conformation in Dogs (LAGECDogs). He also serves on the RCVS Knowledge Quality Improvement board and the RVC Clinical Research Ethical Review Board, demonstrating his leadership in shaping veterinary policy and research ethics.