Surgical & ER Skills Bootcamp
A 3-Day Hands-On Workshop for Vets
When it’s critical, will you be ready?
February 20th - 22nd 2026
Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga Campus
CPD Points:
NSW 40
All Other States 23
Your investment: $3,950
Watch the Workshop Experience
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Is This Workshop for You?
Presenting our innovative and intensive 3-day practical bootcamp – be ready! This course has been constructed for GP vets who want to get hands-on and get confident. You’ll take your emergency, abdominal surgical and point of care ultrasound skills to the next level, turning theory into action. You’ll upskill in:
Emergency surgery and abdominal procedures
Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) for faster diagnosis
Exploratory coeliotomy (no more “peek and shriek”)
GDV, GI foreign bodies, tumours, hernias and more
CPR and critical care skills – with real practice
ECG interpretation and pleural/pericardial drainage
Thoracic and abdominal scanning techniques
Urinary catheterisation, even in tricky female patients
Feeding tube placement – practical tips for nutritional support and recovery
Join us in Wagga Wagga for three immersive days that will solidify your know-how, reinforce your capability, and change how you handle high-stakes cases. This is the full-throttle learning experience you’ve been waiting for.
Why This Workshop is Different
Designed Without Compromise
Sometimes, you just need to go all-in. This is CPD that can confidently class itself as career-changing, maybe even life-changing: a clinical journey like no other.
Led By Vets Who’ve Been There
Our expert team of educators don’t just teach their subjects, they live them too. Learn from vets who know the pressure, have made the calls, handled the crashes, had the hard conversations and lived the chaos.
Train Like You’re On Shift
Don’t read about it – do it. Real practice bears real results. Whether you’re faced with a hernia, pleural effusion, liver tumour or unexpected crash, you’ll be well placed to decide your main differential and make your next clinical move.
More Than CPD Points
It’s that moment mid-shift when your hands move with certainty and you realise: you’ve got this. We provide the worksop, and you deserve the credit.
Welcome Aboard!
At VetPrac, we strive for training that feels welcoming, relevant, respectful and – above all – real. If you’re looking for a social and supportive way to upskill, you just found it.
Workshop Outline
Day 1 is your Abdominal Surgery Day
From biopsies to abdominal catastrophes, this workshop prepares you for surgical curveballs. You’ll practise a systematic approach to exploratory laparotomy, sharpen communication around costs, and develop strategies for intra-operative challenges, such as foreign body removal, gastropexy and splenectomy.
Day 2 is the ECC Day
Day two is all about saving lives. You’ll refine CPR skills, including ETCO₂ and ECG interpretation, and learn how to perform effective CPR, cricothyrotomy, and tracheostomy. You’ll place pericardial and MILA drains, feeding tubes, and urinary catheters – equipping you to act fast and confidently in critical care situations.
Day 3 is Scanning Day: A-FAST & T-FAST
Day three focuses on POCUS ultrasound with expert guidance, perfect for those high-pressure cases needing answers fast. You’ll identify free fluid and gas in the thorax and abdomen, improving triage and decision-making, which is crucial for uncovering pneumothorax, pleural effusion, uroabdomen, peritonitis and more. With minimal restraint and no sedation, point-of-care ultrasound boosts your confidence in managing unstable patients right when it matters.
This Workshop Helps You
Feel Less Stressed in Critical Situations
Bootcamp is a supportive and sociable environment designed to rapidly strengthen your essential ECC and abdominal emergency skills. Take your GP practice to the next level.
Develop Real Skills in Real Time
This is live, immediate learning with over 16 hours of wet labs spread across three days. Everything taught has a palpable purpose in practice.
Solve Clinical Puzzles
Improve your familiarity and proficiency with scenarios you’re bound to encounter “in the wild”. Our goal? Keep you fully focused and learning something new every five minutes!
Plus, take home practical tips on the latest tools, techniques and clinical strategies
Workshop Breakdown
What’s Included?
3 Full Days of Training with over 16 Hours of Practical Lab Time
All Materials & Equipment Provided
CPD Certificate with 40 Points NSW, 23 Points All Other States
Access to digital notes and a printed practical guide
Lunch, Morning Tea & Afternoon Tea
Need to Travel?
We’ll send you a recommended
accommodation list and help
with logistics.
Your Educators
Dr Nima Nakahara
Qualifications:BVM&S MANZCVS DipECVS
Dr. Nima Nakahara graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2012 and has since worked internationally in both general and referral practice. After several years in general practice and emergency medicine in Adelaide, she undertook an internship at Queensland Veterinary Specialists followed by a small animal surgical residency at Brisbane Veterinary Specialist Centre.
Nima is a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons and a registered specialist in small animal surgery in both Europe and Australia. Her clinical interests include soft tissue, thoracic, and oncologic surgery, with a particular focus on minimally invasive (laparoscopic) procedures.
Dr Adam Whitelock
Qualifications: BVSc(Hons) GC-SAUA MANZCVS (ECC)
Adam graduated as a veterinarian from The University of Queensland (UQ) in 2019 and undertook a rotating internship at UQ while he also worked in emergency practices throughout Brisbane. Throughout his internship he developed a keen interest in critical care, anaesthesia and ultrasound, completing a post-graduate certificate in small animal abdominal ultrasound during this time.
In 2022 Adam began a residency in small animal emergency and critical care at UQ. During his residency, Adam also took on a Master’s in Science (anaesthesia and analgesia) and a Doctor of Veterinary Clinical Science developing research interests in vascular ultrasound and equine analgesia.
Dr Sarah Purcell
Qualifications: BVSc (Hons) MANZCVSc MVECC DACVECC
Realising her passion for emergency and critical care, in 2012 Sarah moved to Perth to complete a residency in Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care at Murdoch University. During this time she obtained membership to the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Small Animal Surgery, and Small Animal Emergency & Critical Care. Sarah became board certified with the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care in 2015, and completed a Masters of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care in 2016.
Dr William McLanachan
Qualifications:BVSc (Hons) MANZCVS (Small Animal Surgery)
William graduated from The University of Queensland (UQ) with honours in 2020. After spending a year in a busy general practice, his drive towards specialisation continued to grow. This led to completion of two surgical internships in private referral practice prior to joining Advanced Vetcare in 2024 to commence surgical residency.
He obtained membership to the Small Animal Surgery Chapter of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists by examination in 2024. William has also previously tutored in both small animal surgery and anatomy for UQ School of Veterinary Science.
While excited by all aspects of veterinary surgery, William has a particular interest in fracture repair and neurosurgery.
Dr Katie Nash
Qualifications: BVSc MS MANZCVS(ECC) DACVECC
Katie is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care and has worked in the US and Australia in both private and academic practice.
Katie loves breaking complex topics down into digestible pieces and watching staff members and students flourish as they gain knowledge and confidence. Her clinical interests include transfusion medicine, polytrauma, perioperative critical care, mechanical ventilation, and any ‘cool’ case with a chance for a good outcome despite a poor initial prognosis.
Dr Sarah Stallard
Qualifications: BVSc MACVSC cert IVUSS
Sarah graduated from the University of Bristol in the UK and migrated to Australia in 2004. She began her career in emergency and critical care, obtaining her memberships in 2008. In 2018, she moved to Cairns and established her ultrasound company, Mobile Imaging Cairns. She completed a Graduate Certificate in Abdominal Ultrasound at the University of Melbourne, followed by certification with the International Veterinary Ultrasound Society in 2023. Sarah now works at Manly Road 24 Hour Hospital in Brisbane.
Dr Sue Gibbons
Qualifications: BVSc, MANZCVS, FANZCVS
Sue obtained her Fellowship in Small Animal Surgery in 2006, and is a registered specialist in Australia. Since 2007, she has operated a mobile specialist orthopaedic service in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
In addition to clinical work, Sue has lectured, tutored, mentored and examined both undergraduate and postgraduate veterinarians, and is a regular contributor to continuing professional development courses in Australia. Her areas of interest include orthopaedics and arthroscopy.
Dr Peter Young
Qualifications: BVSc MANZCVS
Dr Peter Young describes a varied and rewarding career in many aspects of veterinary practice. While his early clinical years were spent in dairy cattle, an equine stud and rural practice, a move to Albury sparked an interest in small animal surgery. Membership exams followed in 1990, then second opinion surgical practice. In 2010, Peter joined Charles Sturt University, where he was involved in providing referral surgical services and served as Superintendent of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital until 2017. Since then, Peter has decided on part-time work, to allow time for many other pursuits.
Every educator we work with is selected for their depth of knowledge & their ability to teach it clearly. They’re passionate about turning tricky concepts into hands-on skills that make a real difference.
Payment Options
Secure Your Spot Before Prices Increase!
What Vets Are Saying
Hear It from Past Attendees:
– Genevieve Liebich
– Yvonne Cooper
Don’t Miss Out!
Addressing Common Concerns
Is the Surgical & ER Skills Bootcamp worth the investment?
Yes. The Surgical & ER Skills Bootcamp is a hands-on veterinary CPD workshop designed to boost your confidence, improve decision-making speed, and sharpen your skills in emergency and surgical cases. These practical skills save time, reduce stress, and improve patient outcomes, making this CPD workshop for vets a worthwhile investment that pays off throughout your career.
I don’t have time to take off work. Should I still attend the Surgical & ER Skills Bootcamp?
Yes. If you need CPD points, this CPD workshop for vets is a valuable career investment. Held over 3 days in Wagga Wagga, NSW, the Surgical & ER Skills Bootcamp helps you work more efficiently, make better clinical decisions, and reduce on-shift stress. The time you spend attending this veterinary CPD workshop will save you more time and energy in future shifts.
Will I be able to apply the skills I learn at the Surgical & ER Skills Bootcamp in my clinic?
Yes. The Surgical & ER Skills Bootcamp offers 100% practical, real-world training — no fluff, no outdated techniques. You’ll practice procedures, scenarios, and equipment use relevant to your everyday veterinary work, so you can apply your new skills immediately in clinic after the workshop.
Reserve Your Spot Now
Only 32 Places Available – Limited Hands-On Training Spots
$3,950 AUD (Full Price)
Earn 40 CPD Points NSW, 23 Points All Other States
Ready to Take Your Skills to the Next Level? Secure your place today!
Early Bird Ends 4th September – Don’t Miss Out!
This workshop is designed for real vets in real clinics who want to sharpen their skills and gain confidence in abdominal surgery and ECC skills. If that sounds like you, we’ll see you there!
Your Questions Answered
Are group discounts available for the Surgical & ER Skills Bootcamp?
Yes. A 5% group discount is available when three or more participants from the same veterinary clinic register together under one booking. This discount is automatically applied at checkout when booking this veterinary CPD workshop on the VetPrac website.
Will I get CPD points and a CPD certificate for attending the Surgical & ER Skills Bootcamp?
Yes. All participants receive CPD points and a CPD certificate via email within 7 days of completing the Surgical & ER Skills Bootcamp. This certificate can be added to your professional development portfolio and meets CPD requirements for vets.
What learning materials are included in the Surgical & ER Skills Bootcamp?
Participants receive digital course notes prior to the workshop and a printed practical guide during Bootcamp. These materials support your hands-on learning experience and serve as valuable ongoing references in your veterinary practice.
What is the cancellation policy for the Surgical & ER Skills Bootcamp?
You can transfer your registration to another workshop for a $50 administration fee. Cancellations within 45 days of the course start date incur a 50% administrative fee. Cancellations within 7 days of the start date are non-refundable. The 2026 Surgical & ER Skills Bootcamp runs from 13–15 February 2026 in Wagga Wagga, NSW.
How can I arrange a payment plan for the Surgical & ER Skills Bootcamp?
To arrange a payment plan or instalment schedule for the Surgical & ER Skills Bootcamp, please email Ros at [email protected]. VetPrac is committed to supporting vets with flexible payment options to make veterinary CPD workshops accessible.
What happens if the Surgical & ER Skills Bootcamp is cancelled?
If VetPrac cancels the Surgical & ER Skills Bootcamp, you will receive a full refund of your course fees. However, VetPrac is not responsible for any travel, accommodation, or other expenses you may have incurred.