2025 Speakers
Fresh Perspective (New Speakers):
Dr Anita Bean (VIC)
Dr Anita Bean graduated from Queensland University in 1992 and worked in mixed practice for 4 years before spending 4 years working as a locum in the UK. On returning home, she bought a small animal surgery which she owned and ran for over 20 years. Anita sold her practice last year and took on a role as a veterinary cannabis educator and consultant for eCS, an innovative compounding pharmacy specialising in premium cannabinoid medicines and medicinal mushrooms. Anita is passionate about educating vets about the endocannabinoid system and giving them the confidence to integrate cannabinoids into their treatment protocols.
Dr Alistair Brown (VIC)
I graduated from Murdoch University in 1987, and I spent most of the first half of my career working as a veterinarian in the aquaculture industry both in Australia and overseas. In 2015, I returned full time to the small animal vet world combining working in a shelter clinic with working as a mobile vet. Currently I am working solely as a mobile vet. My interest in therapeutic peptides began a couple of years ago when clients of mine set up the company Therapath which has the plan to manufacture peptides here in Australia to fulfil the increasing demand for peptides from the human medicine perspective. The positive results seen in human clients encouraged me to explore the use of peptides in the veterinary field.
Dr Kathy Cornack (NSW)
Kathy Cornack hails from Queensland, graduate of UQ in 1985 and has worked in many places and in many iterations throughout her 40 year career in veterinary medicine. She currently lives and works in beautiful Newcastle, NSW and is the founder of “Holistic Vets Newcastle” since moving here in 2012.
Kathy first trained in acupuncture, nutrition and behavioural medicine in the 1990’s, she has since developed a clinical and personal interest in many aspects of holistic medicine. She is fascinated by the interconnectedness of all things and the longer she spends on the planet the harder it to understand and experience life and medicine in knowledge “silos”. Outside of work she enjoys being in nature, gardening, cooking, hiking, swimming, dancing and singing and generally enjoying the gift of life. In this experiential workshop you will gain a deeper understanding about our innate ability for intuitive interspecies communication and be able to begin applying it in your clinical practice.
Dr Ilona Hudson (NSW)
Dr Ilona Hudson graduated from the University of Sydney's Veterinary School in 1994. In 2000 she achieved Membership in the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary
Scientists (Equine Medicine), then earned a Graduate Diploma in Animal Biomechanical Medicine (formerly Animal Chiropractic) in 2004. In 2010 Ilona became a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist through IVAS and then completed Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE) in 2014, and most recently in 2019 became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist through CRI.
Ilona’s career highlights include owning Noah’s Ark Veterinary Practice in Port Stephens, and Move Unleashed, a cutting-edge animal biomechanical medicine business, Educating and inspiring the next generation of professionals by teaching the Graduate Diploma in Animal Biomechanical Medicine for over a decade, mentoring veterinary students and recent graduates with hands-on support and career advice, and being the current President of the Australian Biomechanical Medicine Association (ABPA).
In her life beyond work, Ilona is a proud mum to Benjamin, a 20-year-old engineering student making waves at university, an FEI dressage competitor with her loyal Warmblood mare,
Roquette, always by her side, and entirely at the mercy of a mischievous Devon Rex cat.
Vonnie Ma – QiGong With Vonnie
Vonnie is a Certified Level 3 Qigong instructor currently pursuing my Level 4 certification with Master Simon Blow Qigong. Certified yoga teacher, graduated in March 2025 with Nin Yoga's 200-hour YTT in Vinyasa. My style focuses on a gentle vinyasa practice. Currently undergoing "5 Element Nutrition Training" with Qi Food Therapy, and taking online courses with Michael Bijker through Yogalap, including "Breath of Life" and "Ocean of Energy."
My focus is Qigong which began in November 2014. I completed level 1 teacher training and continued my Level 2 teacher training in June 2021. I have completed my Level 3, April 2022 including a certified unit in ‘Understanding the Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine’ through the Australian College of Eastern Medicine. I have completed four modules for level 4 in March 2024 receiving certification for Liu He Gong (6 unities) & Liu Zi Jue (6 healing sounds). In March 2025 receiving certification in the Longevity and Sitting Ba Duan Jin practice.
My classes include grounding, connecting in with self and nature, gentle warmups, stretching of the joints and ligaments, bringing your awareness inward, a flow practice, breathwork and meditation. I like to work in connection with nature, the seasons and with the 5 elements of Earth, Metal, Water, Wood, and Fire and have a holistic approach to bring health and happiness to the whole body, mind, and spirit. I run regular Qigong classes and workshops, and I am available for retreats, groups, corporate & private lessons ☯️
Dr. Matthew J. Muir (NSW)
BVSc/BVetBiol (Hons) MRCVS
Integrative Veterinarian Dr. Matthew J. Muir is a leading integrative veterinarian with expertise in functional medicine, nutraceuticals, and whole food nutrition. He has a particular focus on the gut-brain axis, microbiome modulation, and the role of diet in optimizing pet health and longevity. Passionate about applying One Health principles, Dr. Muir combines cutting-edge research with practical, evidence-based care to address chronic diseases at their root cause.
As a sought-after international speaker, he regularly presents on topics such as dysbiosis, microbiome-driven therapies, and the intersection of nutrition and behavioural health, helping both veterinary professionals and pet guardians better understand the power of food as medicine.
Dr Susan Pedan (TAS)
Dr Susan Peden graduated from the University of Queensland with BVSc (First class Honours) in 1982.In 1983 she completed a Diploma in Veterinary Clinical Studies (Large Animals) (Uni. of Sydney) In 1984 she moved to mixed practice in Tasmania and has enjoyed a diverse career whilst raising three sons, and now three grandchildren while deepening a loving relationship with her husband John and the spectacular wilderness of Tasmania. In 1995 Susan completed the IVAS Certification course in Acupuncture. In 2004 Susan achieved Membership in the Small Animal Surgery Chapter of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Science. In 2009 Susan returned to equine practice in southern Tasmania and in 2020 commenced full time acupuncture practice in her own business Animal Health Answers. Between 2016 and 2022 Susan contributed to the education of veterinarians interested in acupuncture through lecturing and tutoring the Australian IVAS course.
In addition to practicing acupuncture and traditional Chinese veterinary medicine Susan has sampled over 200 dogs, horses, cats and one alpaca for Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis and applied nutritional rebalancing for most of the common problems seen in veterinary practice.
Susan remains enthusiastic about veterinary practice and appreciates the company of Integrative Veterinarians. She still loves running and in particular running counter to accepted wisdom so expect some deep dives into fascia health, neuroscience and kinesiology!
Familiar Faces (Returning Speakers):
Ian Billinghurst (NSW)
Dr. Ian Billinghurst is a nutritionist, agricultural scientist, veterinary surgeon, acupuncturist, and nutritional consultant. He is widely regarded as “The Father of RAW Feeding” and has produced his own brand of pet foods. He is the author of "Give Your Dog a Bone", "Grow Your Pups With Bones", "The BARF Diet" and “Pointing the Bone at Cancer”. His first three books discuss the basic principles of canine (and feline) nutrition using raw, whole, and commonly available foods. His fourth book looks at nutrition and cancer. He conducts clinical and literature research into nutrition, writes and lectures on evolutionary nutrition, and its use in treating and preventing degenerative disease, including cancer. The recently formed Billinghurst Institute (www.billinghurst.institute) provides a comprehensive course in RAW feeding with more than forty hours of lectures by Ian Billinghurst. You think you understand healthy, wholefood diet? Be ready to gain new perspective with a master of the field!
Dr Megan Kearney (NSW)
Dr Megan Kearney is a veterinarian with a special interest in integrative veterinary medicine and conservation medicine. At her practice, Vitality Vetcare in Bangalow, NSW, she provides a comprehensive range of services, including veterinary homeopathy, herbal medicine, acupuncture, wildlife medicine, and energy healing. Her deep commitment to natural medicine and conservation began as a student at the University of Queensland and grew during her early career in Alice Springs. While residing in the UK, she expanded her qualifications, becoming a medical herbalist, veterinary acupuncturist, a Veterinary Member of the Faculty of Homeopathy, and a Brennan Healing Science practitioner. After returning to Australia, she completed a Master of Veterinary Studies in Conservation Medicine. Currently, Dr. Kearney is engaged in advanced studies at the Barbara Brennan School of Healing in Florida, focusing on the integration of energy healing with body-mind psychotherapy. Dr. Kearney's leadership contributions include serving as a founding director of the Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital, founding director of the Wyangan Springs Nature Refuge, past-President of Integrative Veterinarians Australia, previous AVA policy councillor and former Vice-President of the British Association of Homeopathic Veterinarians.
Dr Chris King (VIC)
BVSc, MANZCVS (equine), MVetClinStud
Dr Chris King is a holistic equine veterinarian who currently lives in southern Victoria. A 1985 graduate of the University of Queensland, Dr King has experience in private practice and veterinary teaching hospitals in Australia and the US and has been practicing holistically for over 20 years. She is also an accomplished author, these days writing at the intersection of animal health and everyday spirituality. Her two workshops at this year’s IVCA meeting cover the art of happiness and creativity in everyday life and medical intuition in veterinary practice.
Dr Clare Middle (WA)
Over the last 40 years, since Clare graduated from Murdoch University as a veterinarian, she has increasingly used natural therapies. Most of her patients have been dogs and cats who have not improved with conventional veterinary treatments at their regular vet. Clare has been using acupuncture for over 40 years, and gained the Certificate of Veterinary Acupuncture (CVA) from the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society in 1991. This is the Australian Veterinary Association recommended qualification for Australian vets using acupuncture. She completed a Brauer professional practitioner diploma in homoeopathy in 1996. She has reiki 2 and has several sets of flower essences which she enjoys using for behavioural and physical problems. Clare was the founding president for several years of the Australian Association of Holistic Veterinarians (now known as Integrative Veterinarians Australia), an organisation who encourages vets to use a holistic approach. The AAHV introduced the first veterinary specific professional course in classical homoeopathy for Australian vets, from which Dr Middle was awarded the certificate of the International Association of Veterinary Homeopathy. She has also completed Dr Bruce Ferguson’s Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine Herbology course. Clare works from a private consulting room in Balingup, Western Australia, using classical homoeopathy, herbs, kinesiology and flower essences. Most of her clients bring their pet in for chronic or ongoing problems where ongoing conventional drugs are not preferred or not working, for example skin allergies, lameness or spinal pain, colitis or behavioural problems. Clare is particularly interested in setting up a healthy lifetime for young animals using diet and minimal drugs. This interest includes keeping up with recent research into vaccination protocols and advising clients on optimizing the combination of minimal safe conventional vaccination with alternatives. Clare has also published three books on natural diets for pets.
Dr Henry Stephenson (QLD)
Raised in rural Queensland and graduated from Queensland University Vet School in 1979. Worked in mixed practice in Ipswich Queensland and here he began using some alternative medicines in some small animal cases. Passed the IVAS Acupuncture degree in 1995 and then the British HPTG homeopathic diploma in 2008.
Apart from continual homeopathic studies and bushwalking, he still works in a large alternative practice on the Sunshine Coast where he helps the other 5 vets in their homeopathic learning.
