Karen Hiestand

Karen Hiestand is a lecturer in Veterinary and Animal Ethics at RVC. She has a background in research into human-animal interactions and veterinary ethics and is currently finishing up a PhD in the role of empathy in human-companion animal relationships through the school of Psychology at Sussex University while completing her residency in animal welfare, ethics and law with the European College.

Karen originally trained as a vet at Massey University in New Zealand, and has a wide experience of first opinion mixed practice across the UK, shelter medicine, charity practice and population management of companion animals, particularly in TNR/CNR programs overseas.

She has always had a strong interest in animal welfare which she built on through an MSc in applied animal behaviour and welfare (Edinburgh), BSc in psychology (Massey), and an MA in medical ethics and law (Keele). She continues to work with the animal charity sector, with whom she maintains close links as a trustee at International Cat Care, and is active on a number of welfare and ethics advisory boards at RVC, University of Sussex and RSPCA.