Meet The Links Group Team

Paula joined Dogs Trust in 2010, where she was Veterinary Director from 2011 until spring 2025. Her responsibilities included oversight of Dogs Trust’s veterinary matters, outreach and public affairs work.

Paula has a particular interest in the link between abuse of animals and abuse of people. She regularly delivers training to UK veterinary undergraduates and has spoken widely on the subject, nationally and internationally.

Paula is Chair of the Canine and Feline Sector Group, sits on the RSPCA’s Prosecutions Oversight Panel, BVA’s Policy Committee and is a commissioner of the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission.

Paula is a founder member of the Association of Charity Vets (now the Shelter and Charity Vet Association).

Paula received BSAVA’s J A Wight Memorial Award for her contribution to the welfare of companion animals in 2017, the WSAVA’s Global One Health Award in 2023 and the BVA’s Outstanding Service (Chiron) Award in 2024.

In 2025 Paula became a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for meritorious contribution to the profession and in 2026 received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery from the University of Edinburgh.

Vicki is Director of Global Impact at iCatCare, responsible for their international programmes and activities that make cat welfare science accessible to a wide range of audiences, as well as the development and delivery of global change programmes for owned and unowned cats.

Previously Communications Director at the British Veterinary Association (BVA), Vicki has spent the majority of her career working for veterinary not-for-profit organisations, including veterinary charity PDSA where she established their national youth, education and community programmes, and was responsible for developing their research, policy, public affairs and campaigning strategies.

Vicki continues to work with a number of government and sector working groups which tackle a wide range of animal welfare issues, including the link between animal abuse and family violence, for which she received BSAVA’s Ray Butcher Award in 2018. Vicki has been involved with the Links Group for over 15 years and is a founding Trustee of the charity.

Mike is Treasurer and a founding Trustee of the Links Group. He is a former Operations Director at Cats Protection, the UK’s largest feline welfare charity, where he was responsible for Cats Protection Lifeline, the charity’s temporary fostering service for families fleeing domestic abuse and led its UK-wide expansion.
Before joining Cats Protection, Mike spent 20 years in public and voluntary sector roles, most recently as Assistant Director of Volunteering and Community Involvement at the National Trust. He now runs meliminal, his voluntary sector consultancy, supporting organisations to strengthen their impact and contribution to society.
Mike’s previous experience includes seven years as a Trustee of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes, where he chaired the Governance Committee. He is currently a judge for the Animal Charity of the Year Awards. He holds an MBA from the Open University Business School and is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.

Dave is the Group Head of Animal Welfare at IVC Evidensia, the largest corporate veterinary group in Europe. His role is to put animal welfare at the heart of what the team do and to ensure that alongside providing world class veterinary care the team also help clients give their animals (pets, production animals or equines) the best life they can.

Dave is also a clinical director and veterinary surgeon for Brownlow Vet Group a part of IVC Evidensia where he acts as an experienced independent expert witness undertaking regular instructions in both criminal and civil fields involving animal welfare, animal husbandry and disease including human injuries sustained from animal interactions. Dave accepts instructions from a wide range of clients acting for both prosecution and defence and am also an experienced single joint expert.

In his spare time Dave is a veterinary consultant to Forensic Access supporting both the development of their veterinary training programmes but also undertaking expert and advisory work for them.

Dave became a Trustee of the Links Group in March 2022.

Rebecca graduated from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh in 2006 and worked as a small animal vet in private and charity practice for ten years before moving into animal welfare sector roles in veterinary communications, education, policy, and advocacy.

Rebecca is currently ‘Head Vet – Operations, Partnerships and Prevention’ at the RSPCA where her role supports the Inspectorate and works with the wider veterinary professions in relation to the RSPCA’s companion animal work and animal welfare and is the veterinary lead in prevention work for the charity.

She is currently undertaking a Master’s Degree in Human Behaviour Change at the University of Derby, enabling her to explore the psychology behind the decisions we make as pet owners and understand its use in tackling challenging animal welfare issues.

Passionate about increasing awareness and understanding about the link between the abuse of people and animals to improve the safety of people and pets, Rebecca became a Trustee of the Links Group in November 2022.

Rebecca has 30 years of experience in Social Work, with a background in front-line practice, consultancy and education and training in Australia and the UK. She is currently an Associate Professor in Social Work at the University of Sussex, Brighton, UK. Her teaching and research focus is on the human-animal bond, pet loss, ‘The Link’ between the abuse of people and animals, and human and animal safeguarding.

She is developing new interdisciplinary partnerships across social work, veterinary, and animal welfare practices to promote knowledge exchange, curriculum development, and educational and training opportunities. She is the Co-Director of Education with the International Association of Veterinary Social Work. She is a PhD candidate exploring interdisciplinary approaches to psychosocial support for veterinary teams and clients, aiming to bridge the gap between human services and veterinary practice in the UK.

Rebecca became a Trustee of The Links Group in August 2024.

Andrea graduated from the University of Bristol Vet School in 2001 and worked in mixed practice for 3 years. She then worked as a locum in mixed, equine and small animal practices before returning to Bristol to complete her PhD in the Department of Infection & Immunity.

After 14 years in practice Andrea moved into the food industry.  She gained industry-recognised qualifications which allowed her to combine her drive to promote One Health, provenance and animal welfare with her veterinary background and experiences.

Andrea began volunteering for The Links Group in 2021, became event lead in September 2022 and a de facto Trustee in August 2023. In June 2024, Andrea became responsible for strategic delivery at The Links Group.

Andrea is a survivor of domestic abuse who is passionate about education and research and raising awareness about the link between animal abuse and domestic and child abuse.  She volunteers for the NSPCC Schools Service, sits on the board of the Foyle Family Justice Centre, volunteers with the British Small Animal Veterinary Association and sits on the Audit & Risk Committee and the Academic Award Board in this role.

Since March 2018, Lisa has been working within the animal welfare industry in all areas of veterinary, pet retail – both independent and corporate business, plus animal welfare charities. Lisa delivers both commercial marketing campaigns and CPD online and conference events for JCA Media and Improve International, previously before establishing her role as Professional Development lead within Vetpol, delivering engaging and innovative CPD for SQPS and the entire veterinary team.

Working with The Links Group in addition to, and with the support of Vetpol, means that Lisa can support the delivery of content whilst raising awareness of The Links Group’s work.

Lisa owns alpacas, guinea pigs, and dogs, and her interest in sustainable small-holding has led her to develop an exciting project at Nurture Nature Farm.