Brachycephalic & BOAS Surgery Workshop
2 Days of Practical, Hands-On Learning for Vets, Nurses & Techs
Train together. Treat smarter. Care better.
20th March - 21st March, 2027
University of Queensland, Gatton Campus
Vets CPD points: NSW: 23 // Other States: 16
Nurse/Techs AVNAT points: 16
Early Bird Special
Save $150 When You Register by 5th October 2026!
Your Investment: $3,800 AUD (Normally $3,950 AUD)
Early Bird Ends 5th October 2026
Watch the Workshop Experience
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Is This Workshop For You?
This workshop is designed for veterinary teams who want to build practical, confident skills in the management of brachycephalic patients. Whether you work in general practice, referral or emergency, you’ll gain current knowledge, practical experience and strategies you can take straight back to your clinic.
VET STREAM
This highly practical surgical stream is designed for vets with an interest in soft tissue surgery who want to develop their confidence and technique in BOAS procedures.
You’ll have the opportunity to learn how to:
- Understand the anatomy and pathophysiology of BOAS and the structures involved in airway obstruction
- Assess patients and recognise the risks and complications associated with brachycephalic surgery
- Apply brachy-safe anaesthesia, analgesia and regional anaesthesia techniques
- Perform recognised surgical procedures including wedge resection, alarpexy, ala-veshbuloplasty, sacculectomy, folded flap palatoplasty, free-edge staphylectomy, tonsillectomy and temporary tracheostomy
- Improve soft tissue handling and airway surgical techniques through extensive hands-on practice
- Discuss gastrointestinal complications and their relationship to BOAS
VET NURSE & TECH STREAM
The dedicated nurse/tech stream focuses on the specialised perioperative care these patients require.
You’ll have the opportunity to learn how to:
- Assess individual patient risks and develop appropriate nursing and anaesthesia plans
- Reduce anxiety and stress through holistic patient care
- Identify airway landmarks and perform thorough airway examinations
- Apply local anaesthesia techniques and brachy-safe approaches to premedication, induction and recovery
- Recognise and manage airway, anaesthetic and postoperative complications
- Develop practical nursing protocols, emergency preparedness and effective home-care communication
- Educate and involve clients in the ongoing care of their brachycephalic patients
Why This Workshop is Different
Hands-on from Start to Finish
This isn’t a watch-and-learn workshop. Vets spend hours developing surgical skills on practical models, while nurses and technicians work through airway, anaesthesia and recovery scenarios designed specifically for brachycephalic patients.
The Whole Team Approach
Bring your vet and nursing team together and learn how each role contributes to safer patient care. Shared discussions around risk assessment and complications help create a more consistent approach when you return to practice.
Specialist-led Practical Training
Learn from experienced veterinary and veterinary technician specialists who understand the challenges of BOAS patients. You’ll receive practical coaching, guidance and feedback designed to build confidence and improve technique.
Beyond the Operating Table
BOAS management doesn’t start when the patient reaches surgery. Explore stress reduction, airway assessment, anaesthesia, analgesia, recovery, postoperative care and client communication as part of a complete patient-care approach.
Current Knowledge, Real-world Application
Get up to date with evolving BOAS research, management and surgical techniques, then put that knowledge into practice. You’ll leave with skills and strategies that are relevant to everyday clinical cases.
This Workshop Helps You With:
Building Surgical Confidence
Develop practical experience with recognised BOAS procedures under the guidance of veterinary surgical specialists. From wedge resections and alarpexy to palatoplasty, sacculectomy and temporary tracheostomy, you’ll refine your technique while strengthening your soft tissue handling skills.
Making Anaesthesia and recovery safer
Brachycephalic patients require careful planning at every stage. Build your understanding of patient risk, airway management, regional and local anaesthesia, premedication, induction and recovery, with practical strategies for anticipating complications and responding when things don’t go to plan.
Improving Care Across the Whole Patient Journey
Learn how thoughtful, coordinated care can reduce stress and improve outcomes. Explore anxiety reduction, nursing protocols, emergency preparedness, postoperative care, gastrointestinal complications and client communication, giving your team a more complete approach to managing these challenging patients.
Workshop Breakdown
What’s Included?
2 Full Days of Training with over 6 Hours of Practical Lab Time for Vets, Nurses & Techs
All Materials & Equipment Provided
Vets earn CPD Certificate with 23 Points NSW, 16 Points all other states. Nurse/Techs earn CPD Certificate with 16 AVNAT Points
A printed practical handbook & digital notes to review on your own time
Lunch, Morning Tea & Afternoon Tea
Need to Travel?
We’ll send you a recommended
accommodation list and provide the details you need ahead of time.
Your Educators
Dr Ema Bowman
Qualifications: BVSc (Distinction), MANZCVS
Ema is a 2008 Massey University graduate with memberships in internal medicine, and significant training in anaesthesia. Ema has extensive clinical experience in GP and specialist hospitals within New Zealand, Australia, and North America.
Ema performs multiple BOAS surgeries every week, focused on proactive multi-level upper airway surgery, brachy-safe anaesthesia, and tailored preoperative and postoperative risk reduction.
Ema’s dream is a career where BOAS surgery is no longer needed. Until then, she continues to be a vocal advocate for every brachycephalic patient.
Dr James King
Qualifications: BAppSc (Hons), BVSc (Hons1), MANZCVS, FANZCVS
Dr James King grew up in Brisbane and graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science from the University of Queensland with first class honours in 2013. He then went on to complete a rotating 12 month internship with a Gold Coast based private practice in 2014. Once completed, he worked in Emergency and Critical Care in Brisbane and the Gold Coast for the next 2 years. During this time, James also worked as a locum at various general practices in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and also in the Intensive Care Unit at the University of QLD. James started a surgical residency on the Gold Coast in 2019, and later passed his fellowships to become a surgical specialist. His keen interests include neurosurgery and orthopaedics.
Outside of work he enjoys surfing, keeping fit and being outdoors.
Dr Arthur House
Qualifications: BSc, BVMS, PhD, Cert SAS, Dip ECVS
Arthur is a registered specialist in small animal surgery with over 20 years of experience and an extensive range of specialist surgical skills.
He has a PhD in veterinary research and has been published in a broad range of publications and peer reviewed journals. He is involved in collaborative research which ensures he stays at the forefront of veterinary science, offering the latest treatments for his patients.
Arthur continues to be active in veterinary postgraduate training through provision of continuing education lectures, supervision of new graduates, surgical interns and residents, and he has also been an author in several textbooks.
Dr Tania Banks
Qualifications: BVSc, FACVSc (Small Animal Surgery), GC(HEd), Phd
Tania was awarded her Fellowship in Small Animal Surgery in 2005, followed by a degree in teaching in higher education in 2015 and a PhD in tissue engineering in 2017. She has extensive experience as a specialist surgeon, having worked at The University of Queensland and referral centres across England, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and, most recently, Melbourne. Her clinical interests include spinal and soft tissue surgery, surgical oncology and brachycephalic surgery.
Dr Alex Santamaria
Qualifications: BVSc, BSc, MANZCVS (SAS) DACVS
Alex is a Registered Small Animal Surgical Specialist and a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
She has a strong interest in soft tissue and reconstructive surgery with advanced training in interventional radiology. Alex is a Co-Director at Melbourne Animal Referral Services (MARS) and also works part time at Geelong Animal Referral Services (GARS). She is dedicated to veterinary education and enjoys helping vets of all career stages to extend their surgical skills.
Charleyne Wineberg
Qualifications: VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia), DipVN (Emergency & Critical Care), Certificate IV TAE
Charleyne brings over 23 years of veterinary nursing experience across Australia. She spent 14 years in clinical general practice across multiple states before transitioning into specialist veterinary hospitals, where she has worked for the past nine years.
Her specialist career began in Emergency and Critical Care before she discovered her passion for anaesthesia and analgesia. She has worked within the University of Sydney in both the Veterinary Teaching Hospital environment and later moved into advanced translational medical research, working as a veterinary technician specialising in anaesthesia within both the rodent and large animal sectors. In 2023, she received an Innovation Award for her work advancing anaesthesia equipment in the rodent sector.
In 2024, Charleyne achieved her VTS (Anaesthesia & Analgesia), reflecting her advanced expertise and commitment to best practice. She continues to work in a clinical capacity, remaining actively involved in patient care while supporting and educating veterinary teams.
Payment Options: Vet Registration
Includes 1 complimentary Nurse/Tech ticket
Payment Options: Nurse/Tech Ticket
Extra Nurse/Tech from your team, or Nurse/Tech attending without a Vet
Secure Your Spot Before Prices Increase!
Early Bird Offer Ends In:
What Vets Are Saying
Hear It from Past Attendees:
– Dr. Anita Barton
– Dr Hayat Zailan
Don’t Miss Out!
Addressing Common Questions
"Is the Brachycephalic & BOAS Surgery Workshop worth the investment?”
Absolutely. You’ll build practical confidence in BOAS surgery, anaesthesia and perioperative care, with hands-on skills you can take straight back to practice. Your whole team will return better prepared, more aligned and ready to provide safer, more confident care for brachycephalic patients.
"I don’t have time to take off work. Why should I attend?"
Because one focused weekend can make a real difference in how confidently you manage brachycephalic patients. You’ll gain practical surgical, anaesthesia and perioperative skills that you can put to work straight away, making challenging cases safer and more manageable.
"Will I actually be able to apply these skills?"
Absolutely. This is a hands-on workshop designed for immediate application, not just theory. You’ll practise BOAS procedures and patient-care techniques with expert guidance, so you can return to your clinic with practical skills and the confidence to use them.
Reserve Your Spot Now
Only 32 Places Available
Investment: $3,800 (Early Bird) Full Price $3,950
Vets Earn 23 Points NSW, 16 Points all other states. Nurse/Techs Earn 16 AVNAT Points
Ready to Take Your Skills to the Next Level? Secure your place today!
This workshop is designed for real veterinary teams in real clinics who want to strengthen their skills in managing brachycephalic patients and gain confidence with BOAS surgery, anaesthesia, recovery and perioperative care. If you’re ready to build practical skills you can take straight back to practice, we’ll see you there.
Your Questions Answered
Are group discounts available?
Yes. At the Brachycephalic & BOAS Surgery Workshop we believe in work together, learn together. If three or more veterinarians from the same clinic register under one booking, you’ll automatically receive a 5% discount at checkout when you book through our website.
Will I get CPD points & a CPD certificate?
Yes. Every participant in the Brachycephalic and BOAS Surgery Workshop will earn CPD points and receive a personalised CPD certificate. Certificates are emailed within seven days of the workshop, making it easy to update your professional records straight away.
What kind of learning materials are included?
At the Brachycephalic & BOAS Surgery Workshop, all participants receive comprehensive learning materials. You’ll get digital course notes for easy reference and a printed copy of the practical guide to support your hands-on training. These resources ensure you can revisit key techniques and tips long after the workshop ends.
What happens if I pay and then later can’t attend?
If you need to transfer or change your registration to another workshop, an administration fee of $50 applies. Cancellations made within 45 days of the workshop start date will incur a fee equal to 50% of the course investment. Please note that cancellations made within 7 days of the workshop commencement are non-refundable.
Can I pay in instalments, or do you offer payment plans?
Yes! At VetPrac we are pleased to offer payment plans for our online courses and workshops. We want to make it manageable for you to invest in your professional development.
For more information regarding our payment plans, please email [email protected].
What happens if the workshop is cancelled?
If VetPrac cancels the Brachycephalic & BOAS Surgery Workshop, your course fees will be refunded in full. Please note that VetPrac cannot be held responsible for any travel, accommodation, or other expenses you may have incurred.