Dr Laura Davies

BVSc BSc (Hons) MRCVS

Candidate 3 of 15

Proposers 

Dr Jennifer Bowen-Smith MRCVS

Mr Richard Saunders FRCVS

Contact details

E [email protected]

Candidate biography

I am a recent graduate, having graduated from Bristol Vet School in 2025. My current role is within an independent small animal and ambulatory equine practice, where my time is split between both disciplines and includes out-of-hours care.

My involvement within the veterinary industry spans the last 15 years, having worked as a veterinary care assistant in charity hospitals, referral centres and OOH ECC settings, prior to, and throughout my veterinary studies.

I have wide-ranging interests from feline medicine, emergency and critical care and pathology to human-animal bond and fear free practice, to veterinary education, EDI and mental health.

Aside from work I enjoy kayaking, musical theatre, getting outside in nature and exploring both close to home and much further afield too.

Candidate statement 

• Why do you want to stand to be a member of RCVS Council?

It is a critical time for the veterinary profession, with the recent CMA review and proposed reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. Whilst clinical vets have always been public facing, we have never faced such intense scrutiny as we do at present. I joined the profession, like many others, due to a love of science, animals, and the people that care for them; looking to work alongside pet owners, animal caregivers and farmers alike to ensure animal health and welfare.

I am grateful to work in a practice that genuinely feels part of the community but would love to see every veterinarian able to work in such conditions, and for the profession to have respect whilst also thriving as successful sustainable businesses.

Recognition of staff qualifications, expertise, workload, and care by both the industry and the public is crucial in ensuring wellbeing, staff retention, public perception and encouraging future generations to join the profession. As vets, we play a vital role across animal health and welfare, public health, research and beyond. As someone at the early stages of my career, I want to be actively involved in promoting a welcoming, diverse, caring and respected profession for years to come.

• What do you think you can bring to RCVS Council?

As a recent graduate I feel I could bring quite a unique voice to RCVS council, whilst having years of experience within the industry albeit in alternative roles, to support my understanding.

I am well placed to understand the positives and challenges associated with both extra-mural studies (EMS) and the graduate development programme (GDP), and also the transition from veterinary student, to new graduate, and beyond – something that with 12 vet schools now, is important in most veterinary practices.

My enthusiasm to see constructive changes within the veterinary profession to help future proof a sustainable career path for myself, peers and colleagues across all areas of the profession is hopefully positive for many people, whether in general practice, referral, research, academia, public health or other areas. I am also able to bring an understanding of some of the challenges that come from working with different species – being in a mixed equine and small animal practice currently, yet also holding years of charity experience, having been heavily involved with farm practice during my studies (and the farming community outside of work), and also holding an interest in those more niche species and areas also.

• What relevant experience do you have?

Whilst I am a newly qualified veterinary surgeon, I have approximately 15 years’ experience within the veterinary industry across a wide range of disciplines. During my time as a veterinary student, I was highly involved in societies, particularly the Farm Animal Veterinary Society (BFAVS), where I sat on committee for 3 years including as president; and also held a position on the university teaching farms’ Farm Board.

I volunteered as a student helper at British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA) conference on two separate occasions, and once at the VetEd conference, allowing me to learn more about different veterinary disciplines, whilst gaining new knowledge and networking. Outside of university roles, I spent 4 years on the Shelter and Charity Vet Association (SCVA) committee, liaising with societies at veterinary schools and the wider veterinary profession whilst helping organise the annual conference.

I have experience presenting and public speaking, having spoken at BSAVA in 2024 as part of a wellbeing stream, and also worked as a widening participation tutor at Bristol (something I am passionate about), leading case-based learning sessions and practical teaching, including clinical examinations, during school outreach programmes and veterinary summer schools.