TPLO Surgery Plus Local Nerve Blocks
2 Days of Practical, Hands-On Learning for Vets
Two TPLOs. Hands-on experience. Skills you can take back to your clinic.
April 2nd - 4th, 2027
University of Queensland, Gatton Campus
CPD Points:
NSW 35
All other States 20
Watch the Workshop Experience
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Is This Workshop For You?
Here’s whats on offer:
- Perform two complete TPLO procedures
- Use digital planning software for surgical prep
- Practice technical imaging and local nerve blocks
- Learn strategies for avoiding and managing complications
- Receive personalised feedback on your technique
This course is tailored for general practitioners who want to build confidence, sharpen their surgical skills, and apply them immediately in-clinic.
Why This Workshop is Different
Hands-On Surgical Experience
Perform two full TPLO procedures followed by your own postoperative radiographs. Receive one-on-one guidance, personalised surgical critique, and a full procedural debrief to refine your skills.
Learn from Leading Experts
Train alongside experienced surgeons who perform and teach TPLO every day. Gain practical, real-world insights from professionals committed to your development.
Practical, Case Based Learning
Work through real clinical scenarios to deepen your understanding of surgical decision-making, preoperative planning, and intraoperative techniques.
CPD That Translates to Practice
This isn’t just a CPD certificate, it’s a career step. Build confidence, boost your surgical efficiency, and start applying new skills immediately.
A Community of Progressive Vets
Connect with like minded colleagues who are equally committed to advancing their skills. Share experiences, swap ideas, and build lasting professional relationships.
Workshop Highlights
By the end of this workshop, you can expect to build confidence in:
Practical TPLO Surgical Experience
Perform two full TPLO procedures with support from experienced instructors. You’ll work through digital planning, local nerve blocks, complication management, and receive personalised feedback on your technique.
Build Confidence in TPLO Procedures
Strengthen your understanding of the procedure from both a theoretical and practical perspective. This workshop is designed to help you take the next step toward offering TPLO in your clinic.
Clinical Clarity
Sharpen your surgical skills, both your hands and your clinical judgement, to develop a wholistic patient-centered approach.
Plus all participants will also train in ultrasound guided local nerve blocks to enhance perioperative pain management.
Workshop Breakdown
What’s Included?
2.5 Full Days of Training with over 13 Hours of Practical Lab Time
All Materials & Equipment Provided
CPD Certificate with 35 Points NSW, 20 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 Brian Beale
Qualifications: DVM, DACVS, ACVS Fellow Minimally Invasive Surgery - Orthopedics
Brian graduated from The University of Florida in 1985 and completed his internship in Washington, D.C. followed by a surgical residency at The University of Florida. He became Board Certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1991. Dr Beale was an assistant professor of surgery at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine prior to joining Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists in 1992. Dr Beale is a co-author of the industry-defining textbook, Small Animal Arthroscopy. He currently owns and performs surgery at H-Town Veterinary Specialists (Houston, TX), Nexus Veterinary Specialists (Baltimore, MD and Victoria, TX), Bark City Veterinary Specialists (Park City, UT) and Nexus Veterinary Education.
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 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 Brenton Chambers
Qualifications: BVSc (Hons), MVSc, FANZCVS (Small Animal Surgery)
Dr Chambers graduated in 1994 from the University of Queensland, and spent his early career in general and emergency practice. He became a registered specialist in Small Animal Surgery in 2013. Brenton works in specialist referral practice at the Centre for Animal Referral and Emergency (CARE) in Melbourne, with a special interest in minimally invasive surgery. Brenton is an experienced educator and says the fine nuance of surgical procedures are learned from doing and watching others. He reminds all vets to keep in touch and support each other.
Alexander Philp
Qualifications: Cert IV Veterinary Nursing, VTS (Anaesthesia & Analgesia)
Alexander has a passion for teaching and anaesthesia. He is a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Anaesthesia and Analgesia and is pursuing his Master’s in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia at Edinburgh University. He takes pride in educating students and staff in all disciplines as well as curating online workshops focusing on anaesthesia and patient management. Alexander has an interest in studies and writing journal articles, having presented at the World Veterinary Congress. Outside of work he enjoys socialising, relaxing, reading and binge watching shows and movies.
Dr Cormac O’Brolchain
Qualifications:MVB FANZCVS (Small Animal Surgery)
Cormac earned his Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine from University College Dublin in 2014 before moving to New South Wales for four years in mixed practice. After a brief stint in New Zealand, he completed a surgical internship at Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre in 2018 and obtained ANZCVS memberships in Small Animal Surgery the same year. He then worked in emergency care and mixed practice, including time with Charles Sturt University. Cormac completed his residency with VSS and passed his Fellowship examinations in 2024.
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.
Dr Shaun Pratt
Qualifications: BVSc (Hons I) DVetClinSci FANZCVS
Shaun graduated from The University of Queensland before completing an anaesthesia internship at The University of Sydney. After spending two years in private general practice in north-western Sydney, he returned to UQ to undertake a residency in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia while also completing a doctorate focused on traumatic haemorrhagic shock. Shaun has a particular interest in interventional cardiothoracic procedures and the management of critically injured trauma patients, bringing a calm and practical approach to complex anaesthetic cases. Outside of work, he enjoys water polo, hiking and trail riding, and shares life with his wife Karla, also a veterinarian, alongside Sunny the golden retriever, three cats and four horses.
Payment Options
Addressing Common Questions
"I don’t have time to take off work. Why should I attend?"
Because this isn’t a workshop where you spend the weekend watching someone else operate.
You’ll perform two complete TPLO procedures, work through digital surgical planning, practise technical imaging and local nerve blocks, and receive personalised feedback on your technique. You’ll also work through common complications and how to approach them.
It’s a focused weekend of practical learning designed to help you build skills, refine your technique and make more informed surgical decisions when you’re back in your clinic.
Sometimes, a weekend away from the clinic is exactly what helps you get more out of the time you spend there.
"Can I split the payment between myself and my workplace?"
Yes. If you have a CE budget available through your clinic or workplace, we’re happy to arrange split invoicing to help make registration easier.
Many participants choose to divide the workshop cost between their employer contribution and personal payment. Simply contact the VetPrac team ([email protected]) prior to registration and we can help organise the invoicing arrangement for you.
"Will I actually be able to apply these skills?"
That’s the idea!
That’s the idea. You’ll perform two complete TPLO procedures, rather than simply watch them, with guidance and feedback from experienced surgeons.
You’ll leave with practical skills you can take straight back to your clinic.
"Will I receive CPD points, a certificate, and learning materials?"
Yes. Every participant in the TPLO Surgery with Local Nerve Blocks Workshop will earn CPD points and receive a personalised CPD certificate, emailed within seven days of the workshop. You’ll also receive comprehensive learning materials, including digital course notes and a printed practical guide, so you can continue revisiting key techniques and tips long after the workshop.
"What happens if I need to cancel or the workshop is cancelled?"
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, and cancellations within 7 days of commencement are non-refundable.
If VetPrac needs to cancel your registration to the TPLO Surgery with 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 associated expenses incurred.
Only 32 Places Available – Limited Hands-On Training Spots
Investment: $3,950 AUD
Earn 35 CPD Points NSW, all other States 20 CPD Points
Ready to Take Your Skills to the Next Level? Secure your place today!
This workshop is designed for real vets in real clinics who want to sharpen their skills and gain confidence in TPLO and Local Nerve Blocks. If that sounds like you, we’ll see you there!