Welcome to Leahurst VetFest Open House!
Join us on Saturday 19 July 2025 at our Leahurst Campus to explore the amazing world of veterinary medicine. Get a glimpse behind the scenes at Leahurst, meet some of our animals, and discover the exciting work we do every day.
Experience engaging presentations, demonstrations and interactive fun activities for all ages. Whether you're a future veterinarian, a pet lover, or just curious, there's something for everyone at Leahurst VetFest Open House!
Date
Saturday 19 July 2025, 10am - 4pm
Location
School of Veterinary Science
University of Liverpool Leahurst Campus
Chester High Road, Neston
Liverpool CH64 7TE
Register
Reserve your place and register for Leahurst VetFest Open House.
Main Arena Timetable
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 10:30 | Show opening - Mounted police parade |
| 10:45 | Dog show class 1: Dog with the waggiest bottom |
| 11:15 | Dog show class 2: Dog with the best trick |
| 11:45 | Fundog Workshop – learn fun things you can teach your dog, with Erica Peachey |
| 12:15 | Horse Sense Wirral |
| 12:30 | Guide Dogs demonstration |
| 13:00 | Choir performance |
| 13:30 | Dog show class 3: Dog with the nicest teeth |
| 14:00 | Dog show class 4: Who can eat the Bonio the fastest? |
| 14:30 | ‘Good Dog’ activity course with Erica Peachey – Can you and your dog complete the challenges together and win a prize? |
| 15:00 | Mounted police parade and depart |
| 15:15 | Horse rescue demo |
| 15:45 | Main ring ends |
Programme of talks
| Time | Title | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 11:00 | What happens at Leahurst? | Prof Dan Batchelor |
| 11:30 | To Barnyards and Beyond: Liverpool Farm Veterinarians in Uncharted Space! | Dr Joe Neary |
| 12:00 | Brain surgery in dogs: Why, who, when, how? And does it hurt? | Prof Tim Bentley |
| 12:30 | Applying to study Veterinary Science at the University of Liverpool ** | Prof Karen Noble |
| 13:00 | What happens at Leahurst? | Prof Dan Batchelor |
| 13:30 | A Whistlestop Tour of our Equine Hospital and Practice | Prof Debbie Archer |
| 14:00 | When dolphins come ashore... how we can help and what we can learn * | Dr Gail Leeming |
| 14:30 | Applying to study Veterinary Science at the University of Liverpool ** | Prof Karen Noble |
* (PG Rated - there will be a couple of gory pictures and references to death)
** This is aimed for those aged 15+, i.e. studying in year 10 or above
Find out more about our Vetfest programme and talks of speakers.
Research talks
| Time | Title | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 10:45 | Every Lamb Matters, Preventing Infections in Baby Lambs | Jenny Duncan |
| 11:15 | A Meaty Matter- Antimicrobial resistance and raw meat diets for pets | Gen Morgan |
| 11:45 | Tooth Be Told: The Mystery of Missing Incisors in Ageing Horses | Mandy Peffers |
| 12:15 | Insects and disease | Matthew Baylis |
| 12:45 | Monitoring Your Dog’s Mobility? There’s an App for That | Natasha Clark |
| 13:15 | My not so little pony – why does it matter that there’s a horse obesity epidemic | Tamzin Furtado |
| 13:45 | From Hutch to High-Tech: Using Data to Explore Rabbit and Guinea Pig Health | Mary Coles |
| 14:15 | Galloping Ahead: How Tiny Particles could Help Big Horses Stay on Track | Emily Clarke |
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