The Dog Breeding Reform Group members

give their time and expertise freely

Trustees

Carol Fowler B.A (Hons) PGCE

Founder of DBRG and creator of the DogBreedHealth website
Leader and Secretary of DBRG
DBRG External Relations 2019
In a former life Carol was Head of English at a secondary school in Bristol. She had her first dog, Bonnie, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, in 1999. As a result of discovering that her dog had a devastating breed related genetic disease, Carol began to campaign for the improved health and welfare of dogs. Carol featured in the BBC documentary film, 'Pedigree Dogs Exposed' in 2008. She created the website, DogBreedHealth to provide breed related health information to potential dog owners. Carol was awarded the Ceva Pet Lovers Award in 2012 and founded DBRG in the same year. Carol led the DBRG team to win the CEVA Animal Welfare Charity Team of the Year 2018.  Carol is also a trustee of Cavalier Matters Charity.

Dr Dan O'Neill  MVB BSc(hons) GPCert(SAP) GPCert(FelP) GPCert(Derm) GPCert(B&PS) PGCertVetEd FHEA MSc(VetEpi) PhD FRCVS

Royal Veterinary College, VetCompass
Dan graduated from Dublin Vet School in 1987 and worked in general practice until 2009. An MSc in Veterinary Epidemiology in 2010 was followed by a PhD in 2013 developing the VetCompass Programme to collect primary care practice data for epidemiological research. Supported by the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, Dan continues to expand VetCompass applications at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) to explore health and welfare issues in companion animals. He has published over 70 peer-reviewed papers and authored two books on companion animal health. He is now Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Epidemiology at the RVC. Dan chairs the UK Brachycephalic Working Group and is a founding member and trustee of DBRG.

Katharine Williams

Legal advisor and DBRG Governance
Katharine is a practicing solicitor and member of the Association of Lawyers for Animal Welfare (ALAW), with a particular interest in companion animals. Katharine had her first dog, an Airedale, 30 years ago, and has never been without a canine companion since. The support from the DBRG became a lifeline when she lost one of her beloved Dobermanns in 2018. Katharine realised the valuable work DBRG is doing to improve the standards of dog breeding and how important puppy welfare is in general. She is now keen to use her legal skills to help whenever and wherever she can.

Dr Clare Rusbridge BVMS PhD DipECVN FRCVS RCVS and 
European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology

Advisory Council on the Welfare Issues of Dog Breeding (DAC)
Veterinary Neurologist
Clare is Chief of Neurology at Fitzpatrick Referrals and a Professor in Veterinary Neurology at the University of Surrey.
Clare has authored or co-authored over 130 scientific articles (over 50 on canine Chiari-like malformation) in addition to several book chapters. She has also  c0-edited a human medical text book on Syringomyelia.

Dr Fiona Cooke BSc (Hons) MA (Law) PhD, MSc (CAB), MBPsS, APBC full member, ABTC Registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist, Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist (ASAB)

Animal Law and Behaviour Specialist
The Donkey Sanctuary
Fiona's PhD focused on the role of local authorities in the implementation and enforcement of animal welfare legislation. In addition to her work in law and policy, her welfare science research focuses on assessing and improving animal welfare using innovative and practical tools. Fiona has worked within the animal charity sector for over 15 years, and currently leads the Research (Europe) and Ecology and Conservation teams at the Donkey Sanctuary, working globally to improve the welfare of donkeys and mules. She is also lecturer in Law at the Open University, and runs an animal behaviour company supporting owners and charities working with complex behavioural issues of dogs and cats.

Members

Annie Wilson

​Psychotherapist - Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Annie works as a psychotherapist specialising in Complex PTSD.. She incorporates the healing power of nature by seeing clients outside in nature and alongside animals.
Annie is passionate about the welfare of animals and the planet which they inhabit.
She became more actively involved with animal welfare when her Emotional Therapy Dog, Button, was diagnosed with the complex inherited disorder, Elbow Dysplasia (ED). After experiencing first hand the pain inflicted and restrictions imposed on her dog, Annie set up the 'Paws Against Elbow Dysplasia' campaign (Facebook:@PawsagainstED). The campaign aims to build awareness of ED and encourage more ethical breeding practices in the breeds susceptible to ED.

Dr Emma Goodman Milne BVSc MRCVS

Founder of Vets Against Brachycephalism
Emma graduated from Bristol University in 1996. After 12 years in veterinary practice, she worked as a clinical nutrition advisor for seven years.
Emma was a trustee of the Animal Welfare Foundation IAWF) for six years and their representative on the BVA Ethics and Welfare Group for two years. She has written  books on pet animal welfare and pedigree health problems. Emma has spoken at various conferences on different animal welfare subjects such as pedigree dog and cat health, the ethics of showing and the welfare of elite horses. She is patron of the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund (RWAF) and has worked with many other welfare charities such as the Brooke and Dogs Trust.
Emma now lives in France with her husband, two daughters, a cross eyed moggie and two gerbils. She continues her welfare work and writing

Vicki Betton B.A (Hons), PGDipIDM

PDSA
Vicki has worked at PDSA since 2006, initially establishing a national youth and community education programme, and now leading their Policy and Campaigns team, Vicki is Chair of the PDSA's Pet Wellbeing Task Force and a founding member of the Animal Welfare Education Alliance (AWEA). She represents PDSA on an number of other collaborative groups, including the Canine and Feline Sector Group (CFSG) sub-group for the Breeding and Sale of Dogs, the Associate Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW) Dog Sub-Group and the Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG)

Tania Ledger

Cavalier Matters Charity
Tania is a business woman and currently Managing Director of her drinks vending machine company, Platino Limited. She acquired her two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Molly and Dougall, in 2008. Tania set up her Cavalier Matters Charity, website and online shop when she became aware of the genetic health problems of the Cavalier breed.  Her website gives information and advice to owners of Cavaliers and Cavalier Matters Charity raises money for 'research, rescue and reform.' Cavalier Matters supports DBRG through funding technical support. Tania shares responsibility for DBRG social media.

Polly Smith

BA
Polly is responsible for promoting DBRG's activities and message on Social Media. She has a degree in Music Promotion and is currently studying for a Diploma in Animal Management.
Polly has had an interest in animal welfare from a young age and a few years ago adopted a rescue Bichon Frise who had been badly abused at a puppy farm. This sparked her interest in eliminating poor breeding practices. Polly is a committed vegan and along with her studies and looking after her three dogs, she has set up her own company making and distributing nutritious vegan dog treats called Polly and Parsnip.

Lesley Field


Lesley is the Joint Breed Health Co-ordinator of the 8 UK English Springer Spaniel Clubs, Breed Health Co-ordinator Mentor, a past member of the Advisory Council on the Welfare Issues of Dog Breeding (DAC) and member of the Kennel Club.  She has owned and bred English Springer Spaniels for over 40 years.  Lesley liaises on a day to day basis on both breed and general canine health and welfare issues with the general public, clinicians, researchers and professional bodies.

Andrew Gillon

Director of Operations, National Animal Welfare Trust
Andrew has over 18 years experience working in the animal welfare sector, His expertise lies in companion animal homing, management and health. He also has experience working with wildlife and veterinary services management. Andrew previously worked at British Veterinary Association managing the Canine Health Schemes, progressing the schemes and extending their reach to breeders, vets and the puppy buying public. Andrew is focused on increasing pet health standards, developing new ways for breeders to ensure pets are responsibly bred.  Also that potential owners have the right information to make informed decisions to purchase puppies responsibly.

Dr Rowena Packer BSc (Hons) PhD

Royal Veterinary College
Rowena graduated from the University of Bristol in 2009 with a first class degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare. She then completed her PhD in 2013 at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), investigating the relationship between extreme morphology and inherited disease in domestic dogs. Her PhD primarily focused on problems associated with the brachycephalic skull shape (respiratory and ophthalmic disease) and spinal disease in chondrodystrophic 'long and low' dog breeds. In 2013 she hosted 'Building Better Brachycephalics', an engagement event to disseminate this research. Since 2014 Rowena has work as a Clinical Investigations Postdoctoral Researcher at RVC, primarily focusing on canine epilepsy, working with Professor Holger Volk to investigate its treatment, behaviour comorbidities and effects on canine welfare. She is the current President of the RVC Researcher Association.

Camilla Pegram

BVetMed MRes MRCVS
Working with the Royal Veterinary College Vet Compass Project
Camilla graduated from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in 2015 and worked in first opinion small animal practice until 2017. She then returned to the RVC to complete a Master of Research degree in Companion Animal Epidemiology within the Vet Compass team. Camilla is now working on a Vet Compass project exploring disorders within dog breeds. The aim is to expand the evidence-base for breed related conditions and identify breed health related priorities in order to improve canine health and welfare. Camilla therefore has a strong interest in dog breed health which has led to her involvement with DBRG.

Honorary Members

Professor Sheila Crispin

Former Chair of the Advisory Council on the Welfare Issues of Dog Breeding MA Vet MB BSc PhD DVA. DVOphthal DipECVO FRCVS
Sheila is a fellow and Past-President of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. After obtaining an honours degree in Zoology and Applied Zoology, she was awarded an Agricultural Research Council Veterinary Training Scholarship and qualified from the University of Cambridge. Following a period in veterinary practice she returned to Cambridge as a research scholar in veterinary ophthalmology, then moved to a lectureship at the University of Edinburgh where she completed her PhD. From there she moved to the University of Bristol as Professor of Comparative Ophthalmology. Sheila has won many honours and awards, has an international reputation as a veterinary ophthalmologist and wide ranging interests including the environment, ethics and animal welfare

Marisa Heath

Secretary, Associate Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW)
Secretary, Canine and Feline Sector Group (CFSG)
Liaison with the above groups
Marisa leads the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare comprising MPs, Lords, NGOs, Veterinary Bodies and Businesses which develops policy and outline legislation on animal health and welfare. She also runs the Canine and Feline Sector Group (CFSG): the stakeholder advisory body to DEFRA. Marisa wrote the 'Healthier Future for Pedigree Dogs' Report and the All-Party Dog Strategy. She also sits on the DEFRA Expert Panel for the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Regulations 2018) and was heavily involved in the drafting of the Guidance and Dog and Cat Welfare Codes. She co-ordinates the Local Government Animal Welfare Group www.localgovernmentanimalwelfare.org Marisa is an honourary members of the British Veterinary Association

Associate Members

Dr Peter Wedderburn BVMS Cert VR MRCVS

Pete the Vet
Pete qualified as a vet from Edinburgh University in 1985, and after a spell in mixed practice in Scotland, moved to Ireland in 1991, where he is partner in a four vet companion animal practice near Dublin. For the past twenty years, he has taken a strong interest in working in the media, with weekly national radio and television programmes in Ireland, as well as contributing to many print outlets (including his weekly Pet Subjects column in the Sunday Telegraph, since 2008). Pet's website is www.petethevet.com and he runs a busy Facebook Page as 'Pete the Vet'.

Julia Carr B.Sc (Hons)

Canine Action UK
Julia is founder of Canine Action UK and is also a member of the Canine and Feline Sector Group (CFSG) Sub Group, Breeding and Sale Coalition. Julia is an investigative researcher and campaigner on issues surrounding the commercial puppy trade. She is author of 'Licensed Third Party Puppy Vending in Great Britain.' (March 2016) and 'Evidence supporting the case for prohibiting the sale of dogs through licensed pet shops.' (2014)

Gudrun Ravetz

Former President of the British Veterinary Association (BVA)
Gudrun is a veterinary surgeon with a wide variety of experience in different areas of the veterinary profession.

DBRG Student Ambassadors

Sophie Jane Crossfield

Final Year Veterinary Student, Royal Veterinary College
After I graduate, I am looking forward to working as a small animal vet. Becoming a member of DBRG was a no-brainer for me as I am passionate. about educated puppy purchasing and the influence that such decisions may have on the wider popularity of dog breeds.

Grace Mee

Third Year Veterinary Medicine Student, University of Liverpool
Following undertaking research for an Extended Project on Pedigree Dog Breeding, I decided to join DBRG to support the future improvement of dog health and welfare. I hope that together we can help to educate the public and raise awareness of responsible dog breeding and ownership.

Hannah Gill

MSc Veterinary Physiotherapy, Harper Adams University
I leapt at the opportunity to join DBRG as a student member. I'd always had a huge interest in pedigree dog genetics and health, and I feel that it's extremely important to increase public knowledge and awareness of the health conditions that can arise within breeds.

Emma Foster

Third Year Veterinary Medicine Student, Royal Veterinary College
I decided to join DBRG as there are now an alarming number of diseases and disorders with clear breed dispositions, which could be improved through careful breeding and research into population genetics. I feel this is an important responsibility for the veterinary profession due to the welfare implications posed by these disorders.

Laura Davies

First Year Veterinary Medicine Student, Bristol University
I joined DBRG as I am passionate about dog welfare. I want to make sure potential owners are aware of the breed-related health problems they  may be faced with, and that breeders are doing all they can to breed the healthiest puppies.

Mia Harris

Second Year Veterinary Medicine Student, Royal Veterinary College
I decided to join DBRG as I have a keen interest in companion animal behaviour and welfare, and how this can be used to improve the lives of our dogs. I very much enjoy the company of my dogs and I appreciate how rewarding breeding can be, when done correctly

Ester Riley

First Year Bioveterinary Science Student, Royal Veterinary College
The reasons I chose to join DBRG are endless. Most importantly I was keen to gain the knowledge to educate others about dog breed health and promote dog welfare wherever I can.

Stephanie Waller

Second Year Biological Sciences, Royal Veterinary College
The DBRG's core values are what enticed me to join. Learning about the different genetic diseases that affect certain dog breeds, and witnessing their direct consequences on the quality of life of these dogs, opened my eyes to the scale of the problem. Education and research are two key approaches in furthering current knowledge and raising awareness of improper breeding.

Peta Isherwood

Third Year Bioveterinary Science Student, Royal Veterinary College
I decided to join DBRG as I hope to be a voice in improving animal welfare and reducing cruelty as much as I can. The demand for dogs is huge, but with increased awareness we could reduce the number of dogs without a home and the demand for breeds with inevitable health problems. 'Dogs are mans best friend' after all and I think their welfare should be prioritised.