Local Nerve Blocks
2 Days of Practical, Hands-On Learning for Vets
Sharpen your local nerve block skills & improve patient care
May 23rd - 24th, 2026
University of Queensland, Gatton Campus
CPD Points
NSW = 26
All other states = 15
Early Bird Special
Save $150 When You Register by 8th December 2025!
Your investment: $3,350 AUD (Normally $3,500 AUD)
Early Bird Ends 8th December 2025
Watch the Workshop Experience
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Is This Workshop For You?
With today’s increasingly complex surgeries, the spotlight is also on providing sufficient anaesthesia to relieve animal pain and suffering. Managing pain can be difficult at times, and there has been a corresponding improvement in drugs, equipment and techniques. Whilst local nerve blocks have been used for many years with great success in the human world, the veterinary world can now benefit from the growth and knowledge in this field.
With our hands on practicals and up-to-date information, you will develop the confidence to start providing high quality and cost-effective pain management for many cases. You can use local anaesthetic blocks in both forelimb and hindlimb orthopaedic procedures, as well as in other procedures, and there are numerous advantages for your patients in clinical practice.
Do you struggle with…
- Maintaining stable anaesthetics during surgical procedures?
- Smooth recovery with adequate analgesia?
- Local nerve block anatomy?
- Ultrasound guided local block?
Through this two-day workshop, you will not only have the opportunity to learn, develop and practice your skills around local nerve blocks but also be surrounded by amazing educators who specialise in their field. You will develop knowledge in anatomical landmarks and ultrasound identification of nerves. Gain confidence in your approach to nerve stimulation, procedures for drug administration and more. Plus, you’ll be putting all of this into practice with our wet lab practicals using quality instrumentation while surrounded by the support and knowledge that comes from years of experience. Bring the best skills back to your patients.
Why This Workshop is Different
Tailored Learning, Practical Outcomes
This workshop is designed with real-world cases in mind, so everything you learn can be applied directly in your clinic.
Learning from Leading Experts
Dr Fernando Martinez Taboada and Dr Kieren Maddern are European-boarded specialists in anaesthesia and analgesia. With extensive experience in universities, referral centres, and specialist pain clinics, they bring expert knowledge in loco-regional anaesthesia and pain management directly to your learning.
CPD for Veterinary Professionals
This workshop is designed exclusively for veterinarians, providing targeted continuing professional development to expand your knowledge, refine your skills, and enhance patient care in your practice.
Practical Skills Take Priority
Hands-on wet labs, ultrasound practice, and guided demonstrations ensure you gain confidence through doing, not just listening.
Welcome Aboard!
From registration to final session, our team supports you every step of the way, so you can focus on learning and enjoying the experience.
This Workshop Helps You With:
Confident Pain Management
This workshop gives you the tools to provide high-quality and cost-effective analgesia for your patients. You’ll revise core principles in anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology while building the confidence to maintain stable anaesthetics and achieve smoother recoveries for even the most complex orthopaedic cases.
Expanding Your Toolkit
From identifying anatomical landmarks to mastering ultrasound-guided approaches, you’ll broaden your surgical support toolkit. Whether it’s a serratus plane block, intercostal nerve block, or quadratus lumborum block, you’ll return to practice with a wider range of options for effective, targeted pain relief.
Practical, Hands-On Skills
You won’t just hear about nerve blocks, you’ll practice them. With wet lab sessions, ultrasound guidance, and expert supervision, you’ll refine your techniques in RUMM, TAP, brachial plexus, sciatic, femoral blocks, and more. Each block is demonstrated and practiced so you leave with skills you can immediately apply in your clinic.
Workshop Breakdown
What’s Included?
2 Full Days of Training with over 10 Hours of Practical Lab Time
All Materials & Equipment Provided
CPD Certificate with 26 Points NSW, 15 Points all other states
A printed practical handbook and 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 Fernando Martinez Taboada
Qualifications: LV PhD CertVA PGCert(Biostats) DipECVAA
Fernando graduated as a veterinarian in Spain and worked for several years in small animal practice both in Spain and the UK. He undertook a residency in anaesthesia and analgesia at the University of Bristol, and he became an European Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia (DipECVAA) in 2010.
Over the years, Fernando has worked in and headed anaesthesia departments in multiple private and university teaching hospitals. In recent years, he founded 3A Animal Anaesthesia and Analgesia and Sydney Animal Pain Clinic. Recently, Fernando left Sydney to relocate to beautiful Melbourne with his family.
Fernando’s clinical and research interests focus on the management of acute and chronic pain, especially using loco-regional anaesthesia, and interventional procedures.
Dr Kieren Maddern
Qualifications:BVSc (Hons) MANZCVS (Anaesthesia & Critical Care) DipECVAA
Kieren Maddern is a European-boarded veterinary anaesthesiologist (2009) and recognised specialist in anaesthesia and analgesia. She has a particular interest in the assessment and management of pain in animals, with a strong focus on raising awareness of this often-overlooked problem. Kieren is dedicated to providing state-of-the-art perioperative analgesia and chronic pain management, within surgical and outpatient settings.
Kieren has provided specialist anaesthesia services in university hospitals, private referral centres, and as an independent consultant. Since 2010, she has worked extensively in Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and mainland China. She currently offers expert anaesthesia and pain management consultancy services to veterinary practices throughout the Brisbane region.
Alexander Philp
Qualifications: Cert IV Veterinary Nursing, VTS (Anaesthesia & Analgesia)
Alexander is the Nurse Unit Manager at UVTHS with a special interest in anaesthesia. He enjoys teaching at all levels within the veterinary profession. He is a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Anaesthesia and Analgesia, and began the Masters program in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia through Edinburgh University in September 2023. Alexander has additional interest in research and won an award for his abstract presentation at WCVAA 2023.
Dr Kieran Smith-Schie
Qualifications: BVSc (Hon I) GradDipEd MVetClinStud MANZCVS
Kieran graduated from the University of Queensland in 2018. After time in general practice on the Gold Coast, he completed a rotating internship at VRH, Melbourne, and a Veterinary Anaesthesia traineeship at Murdoch University, Perth, in 2021, before finishing his Anaesthesia residency there in 2024. While in Perth, he earned a Graduate Diploma in Tertiary Education, a Master of Veterinary Clinical Studies, and ANZCVS Memberships.
He is now pursuing a Master of Philosophy. Kieran enjoys teaching and has a special interest in loco-regional anaesthesia. He recently moved to Brisbane with his wife, daughter, and a collection of cavaliers.
Payment Options
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 Local Nerve Blocks Workshop worth the investment?”
Absolutely! The skills you’ll gain in the Local Nerve Blocks Workshop will pay for themselves many times over. By learning advanced loco-regional anaesthesia techniques, you’ll save surgical time, provide more effective pain management, and approach orthopaedic and other procedures with greater confidence, knowing your patients’ pain is addressed. Many veterinarians find that the efficiency, improved patient outcomes, and enhanced clinical skills gained from this workshop make it one of the most valuable vet CPD investments they’ve ever made.
"I don’t have time to take off work. Why should I attend?"
If you’re looking for CPD that truly benefits your practice, the Local Nerve Blocks Workshop is worth it. Spending just two days learning and practising veterinary local nerve blocks will save you countless hours later by making pain management more efficient, reducing anaesthetic and surgical challenges, and giving you confidence in orthopaedic and other procedures. It’s an investment of time that pays back in smoother surgeries, better patient outcomes, and less stress in the clinic.
"Will I actually be able to apply these skills?"
100%! The Local Nerve Blocks Workshop is entirely focused on practical, real-world veterinary training. No fluff, no outdated techniques, just hands-on practice. You’ll spend dedicated time in wet lab sessions, performing local nerve blocks yourself with direct guidance from specialist educators. Everything you learn is designed to be applied immediately in your practice, so you return to your clinic with skills you can use the very next day.
Reserve Your Spot Now
Only 30 Places Available
Investment: $3,350 AUD (Early Bird) / $3,500 AUD (Full Price)
Vets Earn 26 Points NSW, 15 Points all other states
Ready to Take Your Skills to the Next Level? Secure your place today!
Early Bird Ends 8th December 2025 – Don’t Miss Out!
Your Questions Answered
Are group discounts available?
Yes. At the Local Nerve Blocks 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 and a CPD certificate?
Yes. Every participant in the Local Nerve Blocks 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 Local Nerve Blocks 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 Local Nerve Blocks 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.