Every vet has a story — and this week, we’re sharing ours.

From childhood horses and vet school struggles to early jobs, unexpected turns, family life and finding balance, this episode is all about how real life shapes the professionals we become.

No perfection. No polish. Just honest conversation about animals, work, motherhood, mentorship, and learning when to say “I don’t know — but I’ll find out.”

👉 Up next: we’re joined by Una O’Donnell, talking riding, training, warm-up rings, and why everyone needs a bit of Una in their life.

This Christmas special of Off Duty was recorded live at Santa Paws, so if you hear kids laughing, dogs snoring, ponies being discussed very seriously, or Santa having strong opinions about mince pies — that’s exactly how it’s meant to be.

This is Christmas, Off Duty style.

In this episode, we chat with children, families, pony owners, goat keepers, photographers, vets, and of course Santa himself. Conversations range from Christmas wish lists and naughty lists to ponies, goats, dogs, elf mishaps, and why Santa absolutely does not deliver live animals.

Along the way, we gently weave in important pet safety reminders — because Christmas is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming (and risky) for our furry friends if we’re not careful.

The episode finishes with a festive poem from Mairead, reminding us to slow things down, keep routines where we can, mind our pets, and enjoy the small, quiet moments in between.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Santa Paws, to everyone who has listened and supported Off Duty this year, and to this wonderful little community we’ve grown together.

Happy Christmas — and mind each other 🎄🐾 More conversations coming in 2026.

Colic is one word that strikes fear into the heart of every horse owner — and when surgery is mentioned, that fear often doubles.

In this episode of Off Duty, we share the powerful real-life story of Mr Trigger, a much-loved pony who developed a surgical colic and came through the other side.

Through his owner Ruth’s honest account, we talk about:

• The early signs of colic and how quickly things can change

• What surgical colic really means today

• The importance of prompt action, teamwork, and collaboration

• How far equine veterinary medicine has come

• And why surgery is no longer the last-ditch option it once was

This is a hopeful, informative conversation for horse owners, parents, and anyone who has ever sat up all night worrying about a pony.

🎄 Christmas Bonus Special coming next week! We’ll be sharing a festive extra episode featuring wonderful children from Santa Paws at Arra Vets — full of warmth, laughter, and Christmas magic.

🎙️ Off Duty is a podcast about pets, ponies, people — and the stories that happen beyond the clinic and the yard.

“Colic” is a word that strikes fear into the heart of horse owners — but it doesn’t have to.

In this Mini Off Duty episode, Sabrina breaks colic down in a clear, reassuring way, with help from two young pony experts who know their ponies inside out.

We cover:

• How to spot when your pony isn’t quite right

• Normal behaviour vs early warning signs

• Why poo, appetite and attitude matter

• Simple checks you can do at home

• When to watch… and when to call the vet

Perfect listening for pony-mad kids, parents and carers.

Is your dog shaking before the vet even touches the thermometer? Does your cat know you turned left instead of right and start planning its escape?

This week on Off Duty, Maireád and Sabrina deep-dive into Fear Free veterinary care — what it is, why it matters, and how tiny changes at home can transform the entire clinic experience for pets.

We cover: 🐾 Why nail clipping becomes a lifelong trauma (and how to undo it) 🐾 What a FAS score is — and why a “5” means “stop everything!” 🐾 How clinics can design calmer consult rooms, kennels, scents & colours 🐾 Emotional records: the notes that matter just as much as medical history 🐾 Cat carriers (and the hilarious ways owners accidentally ruin them) 🐾 Why groundwork at home helps both dogs and horses 🐾 How sedation, pre-visit meds and pheromones can change everything 🐾 “Happy Visits” — and why every puppy needs them

Plus, we tease next week’s festive episode: 🎄 Christmas safety for pets and ponies — and what not to put in a stocking!

Based on real experiences at Arra Vets and Dooneen, this episode is packed with practical, kind, fear-free advice for the pets (and owners) we love

In this week’s Mini Off Duty, we dive into dog safety for kids and families — especially important at this busy time of year. We chat about why dogs don’t want to bite, the moments when dogs feel scared or unsure, and the simple things children can learn to keep everyone safe and happy at home.

We cover:

• Why dogs sometimes bite (and why it’s nearly always fear)

• When to leave dogs alone — eating, sleeping or hiding

• The 3 W’s of meeting dogs safely: Wait, Watch & Wag

• How to “stand like a tree” if an unknown dog runs up

• How to create a calm “safe zone” at home for your dog

• Plus a fun safety quiz at the end with Donal! 🐾

We also share a little festive update about Santa Paws at Arra Vets this Saturday, where families can enjoy photos, treats and a peek inside the upgraded dental suite.

A short, friendly episode perfect for the school run, bedtime wind-down, or helping kids understand how to read and respect dogs.

Veterinary hosts Sabrina Barnwell and Mairead Leahy speak with parasite expert Nikki Wall about the new prescription-only rules for horse wormers, why parasite resistance is accelerating, and how outbreaks are affecting horses and herds.

The episode covers practical advice on pasture management, risk-based testing, working with your vet for bespoke parasite plans, and myth-busting common assumptions like relying on calendar worming or single fecal egg counts.

Join Mini Off Duty with Dr Nicky Walsh as she explains what parasites (worms) are, how they live in ponies, and the signs to watch for like loose poo or weight loss.

Learn simple prevention tips—pick up poo, use pasture management (and even ruminant "worm hoovers"), and when to ask a vet for help. The episode also clears up the confusion about ringworm and skin infections.

Featuring listener questions, a fun quiz, and a call for kids to send voice notes about their pets, this ten-minute episode is perfect for young animal lovers.