In this episode of Off Duty, we sit down with Alice Lacey, Senior Animal Welfare Inspector with the ISPCA, to explore the realities of working on the front line of animal welfare in Ireland.

Alice shares her journey from volunteering to becoming an inspector, and gives an honest insight into the emotional, challenging, and deeply rewarding nature of her work. From dealing with neglect cases and navigating difficult conversations with owners, to giving evidence in court and rescuing animals in distress, no two days are ever the same.

We discuss:

• What animal welfare inspectors really do (and common misconceptions)
• The balance between education, enforcement, and empathy
• The emotional toll of the job and managing compassion fatigue
• Why most cases are neglect—not intentional cruelty
• The importance of microchipping, traceability, and responsible ownership
• Current welfare concerns including overbreeding, biosecurity, and feral cat populations

Alice also shares powerful personal stories—from rescuing animals in heartbreaking situations to adopting her own dog through welfare work—and what keeps her motivated despite the challenges.

This episode is a reminder that small actions—education, early intervention, and responsible ownership—can make a huge difference to animal welfare.

📞 If you have concerns about animal welfare, reports can be made to the ISPCA National Animal Cruelty Helpline.

With an increase in strangles cases and a lot of misinformation circulating on social media, we’re bringing you a short bonus episode of Off Duty to answer your questions.

We managed to catch Off Duty co-host and equine vet Sabrina in the middle of a busy schedule to respond to real questions sent in by horse owners who are trying to do the right thing and want clear, factual advice.

This listener-led Q&A covers how strangles spreads, early signs to watch for, managing risk when competing or travelling, vaccination considerations, and what to do if your horse or yard is affected.

The aim isn’t to create panic, but to cut through the noise, address misinformation, and help owners make sensible, informed decisions.

If you’re concerned about your own horse, always contact your own vet or Dooneen Vets for advice. We hope to return to this topic in a future full episode, looking more broadly at equine infectious diseases and how to create an effective infectious disease plan for your yard.

If you’ve ever heard us say “Just email Catherine” — this is why.

Catherine Griffin from Snout & About joins us to break down what behaviour actually means, why it’s not the same as training, and why so many cases have pain or emotional distress at the root.

We talk:

• Puppy foundations

• Overstimulation & modern dog lifestyles

• Why muzzles shouldn’t carry stigma

• The importance of early intervention

• And how behaviour work starts long before you ever “train” a dog

This is a collaborative, evidence-based approach to behaviour — and honestly, it changed how we think in clinic.

Thanks to Chanelle Pharma for supporting this episode.

Part 1 of a multi-part series.

If you would like to contact Catherine

www.snoutandabout.ie

Are you preparing for your Pony Club D+ Test? Wondering what examiners look for in stable management, riding and horse care?

In this episode of Off Duty, we share a practical, step-by-step guide to passing the Pony Club D Plus Test — covering everything candidates must know before progressing to the C Test.

This episode is ideal for Pony Club members, parents supporting riders, and instructors revising D+ stable management topics.

In Part 1 we cover:

• ✅ D+ Test format and requirements

• ✅ What to wear for the Pony Club D+ exam

• ✅ Riding expectations, including jumping (up to 65cm) and riding on undulating ground

• ✅ Basic needs of a pony living in a field

• ✅ Daily health checks and field safety

• ✅ How to put on a saddle and bridle correctly

• ✅ Correct tack fitting (noseband & throatlash rules)

• ✅ How to clean and care for tack properly

• ✅ How to safely catch and turn out a pony

• ✅ How to lead and trot up a pony in hand

• ✅ Safe tying techniques (and why baler twine matters)

Whether you're sitting your D+ this season or helping your child prepare, this episode gives you clear, practical guidance to build confidence before test day.

🎧 Follow Off Duty so you don’t miss Part 2 — where we’ll cover grooming kits, picking out feet, colours and markings, rugs, turnout, and performing a proper pony health check.

In this episode, Sabrina Barnwell is joined by Vincent O’Hara as they work through Stable Management for the C Test, starting with one of the most important foundations of horsemanship: remembering that your pony is an animal, not a machine.

We cover:

• Pony welfare and behaviour (including the famous three F’s: freedom, forage & friends)

• Why kindness, patience and understanding matter more than force

• Keeping ponies at grass – advantages, disadvantages and daily checks

• The five key things to consider when choosing a field

• Safe fencing, shelter and water

• Poisonous plants every Pony Club member should know (including newer risks like sycamore)

• Field care, worm control and good management habits

This series is designed to be accessible, practical and friendly – perfect for Pony Club members preparing for their C Test, parents trying to understand the syllabus, or anyone who wants a solid grounding in good horsemanship.

Welcome to Mini Off Duty, where we learn cool things about animals in ten minutes 🐾

In this episode, Mairead chats with Catherine from Snout & About, a dog behaviour consultant, all about how dogs feel, think, and communicate — and how kids can be the best kind of friend to their dog.

Together we learn:

• How to safely say hello to a dog

• Why dogs don’t like being hugged like teddy bears

• The three-second rule for petting

• Fun sniffing games dogs love (using things you already have at home!)

• Simple safety rules to help dogs feel calm and safe

There’s also a fun quiz at the end to test what we’ve learned 🎉

✨This is proudly supported by Chanelle Pharma, who have been supporting vets for over 40 years by providing high-quality, affordable, Irish-made veterinary medicines for farm and companion animals.

This episode is perfect for kids, parents, and anyone who wants to help children build kind, confident, and safe relationships with dogs.

In this episode of Off Duty, we’re joined by Claire Kinslla, a veterinary nurse with over ten years’ experience across referral practice, first opinion clinics, small animal and equine work.

Claire shares her honest journey through veterinary nursing — from starting out in a high-pressure referral hospital in the UK, to returning home to Ireland and navigating the realities of equine and small animal practice. We talk openly about mentorship, imposter syndrome, CPR cases, emotional burnout, and why crying can sometimes be the reset button we all need.

This is a must-listen for:

• anyone considering vet nursing as a career

• students and new graduates finding their feet

• vets and nurses who’ve ever taken a tough case home with them

• parents wondering what really goes on behind the scenes in a vet clinic

We also discuss:

• why work experience matters

• how veterinary nursing has changed (for the better)

• the importance of team culture and debriefing

• why “just because you can, doesn’t mean you should” applies across all species

As always, this is a real, unfiltered conversation — about animals, people, and learning to look after ourselves as well as our patients.

☕ Grab a cup of tea — this one’s worth sitting with.

An Unofficial Audio Guide to the Pony Club C Test

This podcast is an unofficial support and revision guide designed to help listeners understand the horse care and stable management topics commonly covered in the Pony Club C Test.

While it’s especially useful for Pony Club members preparing for their C Test, this series is not just for Pony Club children. It’s suitable for anyone who owns, rides, cares for, or is learning about ponies — including riders, parents, helpers, and young people who enjoy learning best by listening.

Episodes focus on:

• Everyday pony care and stable management

• Clear explanations using real-life examples

• Building understanding and confidence, not memorising answers

This audio guide is intended to be used alongside official Pony Club materials or as a general learning resource for pony care. It is not an official Pony Club publication.