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                                           HumaneVMA Webinar                                                   

Ethical disagreements in veterinary practice settings

Presented by: Dr. Anne Quain, BA (Hons), BScVet, BVSc, MVetStud,
GradCertEdStud(HigherEd), MANZCVS (Animal Welfare), DipECAWBM (AWSEL), PhD

Wednesday, October 14, 2026, 8:00-9:30 pm ET
 
Two veterinary professionals in pink scrubs examining a cream colored dog                                                                                                             Photo Credit: fotografixx/Getty Images
 
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Ethical disagreements are common in veterinary practice and arise when members of the veterinary team, clients, or other stakeholders hold differing views about what ought to be done in a particular situation. These disagreements may occur in relation to animal welfare, treatment decisions, resource limitations, financial constraints, client preferences, workplace policies, or professional responsibilities. When unresolved, ethical conflict can contribute to moral stress, moral distress, and reduced wellbeing among veterinary professionals.

This webinar will examine the nature and sources of ethical disagreement in veterinary practice settings. Participants will be introduced to common factors that contribute to differing ethical viewpoints, including variations in professional roles, values, ethical frameworks, experiences, and perceptions of animal welfare. Through discussion of practical veterinary scenarios, attendees will explore how ethical disagreement can reveal underlying welfare concerns and competing obligations that require careful consideration.

The webinar will also provide a structured approach for identifying and analyzing sources of ethical conflict within veterinary teams. Emphasis will be placed on recognizing disagreement as a potentially constructive component of ethical decision-making and as an opportunity to improve communication, support team wellbeing, and enhance animal welfare outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe common types of ethical disagreement in veterinary practice settings.
  • Identify factors that influence differing ethical perspectives among veterinary team members and other stakeholders.
  • Recognise the relationship between ethical disagreement, moral stress/distress, and animal welfare concerns.
  • Discuss strategies for clarifying the underlying issues contributing to ethical conflict within veterinary teams.
  • Distinguish between differing sources of conflict, including value-based, welfare-based, professional, and practical concerns.
  • Communicate more effectively about ethically challenging situations.
  • Identify opportunities for addressing underlying animal welfare concerns revealed through ethical conflict.
  • Reflect on their own ethical assumptions and those of others when participating in ethical decision-making.

 

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This webinar is FREE for all attendees.

1.5 hours of RACE CE credit (non-medical) is available for HumaneVMA members only.

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YOUR PRESENTER:

Dr. Quain
Dr. Anne Quain, BA (Hons), BScVet, BVSc, MVetStud,
GradCertEdStud(HigherEd), MANZCVS (Animal Welfare),
DipECAWBM (AWSEL), PhD

 

Dr. Quain graduated with her BVSc from the University of Sydney in 2005. She is a senior lecturer in the Sydney School of Veterinary Science. She is a member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (ANZCVS) in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law, a Diplomate of the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law, and has a PhD in veterinary ethics.

She co-wrote the Veterinary General Practice Casebook: Small Animal Clinics (Taylor & Francis) with Andrew Gardiner, and Veterinary Ethics: Navigating Tough Cases (5M) with Siobhan Mullan. She also co-edited The Vet Cookbook: A Collegial Collaboration  and The Vet Cookbook II: Celebrating the Wins (Centre for Veterinary Education). She is passionate about general practice, clinical and ethical decision-making, and animal welfare. In 2023, she received a Fear Free Research Award in recognition of her commitment to alleviating fear, anxiety, and stress in animals through research, and in 2024, a Centenary Medal from the NSW Veterinary Practitioner's Board for Animal Welfare Leadership in Veterinary Ethics and Animal Welfare.