Sun shines for the animals on day one of Pet Remedy's Devon conference

Sunshine bathed the English Riviera as leading animal behaviourists, vets and welfare experts gathered at the Imperial Hotel for the opening day of the Emotional Wellbeing in Animals Conference, setting the tone for what promises to be a landmark event in the animal welfare calendar.

Daniel Shaw gives his speech at the conference today

With blue skies overhead and a sea view that could lift anyone’s spirits, the conference, powered by Pet Remedy, opened with a warm welcome from Chief Happiness Officer Gill Edwards alongside renowned emotional wellbeing expert Andrew Hale, immediately grounding the event in its central theme, that emotional health is just as vital as physical welfare.

Taking to the stage for her first public appearance since the death of ACE founder Sarah Fisher, Sarah Whiffen delivered an emotional and deeply personal tribute to her mentor, to whom the conference is dedicated.

Fighting back emotion, Whiffen described Fisher as “a lady with a brain the size of a stadium who was really courageous in her thinking,” crediting her with reshaping the way countless professionals understand animals.

Dr Hannah Capon at the conference today

In one of the day’s most poignant moments, she revealed how returning to Tilley Farm after Fisher’s death left her momentarily unable to step out of her car.

But, she said, remembering her friend’s legacy gave her the strength to carry on.

What followed was a powerful and technically rich presentation on the benefits of “free work” and the core principles of ACE, earning a standing ovation from delegates and setting a high bar for the day ahead.

Next to take the stage was Dr Amber Batson of Understand Animals, whose energetic and often humorous talk explored a deceptively complex question, what is the difference between animal welfare and emotional wellbeing?

Andrew Hale supporting Street Paws at the conference which he is hosting this week

Drawing on emerging research, Batson highlighted how a dog’s emotional state can significantly influence its physical health. One recent study, she explained, found increased negative emotional states in dogs suffering from gut-related conditions.

She also pointed to wider factors that can improve outcomes for animals facing illness, including effective stress management, a supportive caregiver, and a sense of control over their environment, a message that resonated strongly with the audience.

The scientific theme continued with Dr Hannah Capon, who introduced her pioneering platform, The Pain Vet, a fresh approach to managing canine arthritis.

Capon, recently honoured with the World Small Animal Veterinary Association Global Animal Welfare Award, explained how her model moves beyond the constraints of a traditional 15-minute consultation. Through detailed questionnaires and video analysis, the service allows for a far deeper understanding of a dog’s discomfort, potentially transforming outcomes for thousands of animals.

After lunch, attention turned to the courtroom as Daniel Shaw delivered a thought-provoking session on emotional wellbeing in legal cases involving dogs.

Drawing on his experience as a behaviour assessor, Shaw warned of the dangers of relying on single, snapshot assessments. Factors as simple as a dog needing the toilet, being on a lead, or lacking time to decompress can skew results, leading to false positives or negatives with life-changing consequences.

He also raised concerns over what he described as the “huge variability” in how prohibited breed types are defined, calling for improved training and greater consistency while such laws remain in force.

The afternoon also saw Justine Schuurmans, of www.thefamilydog.com launch her new initiative, Before You Train Your Dog.

The free guide challenges the long-held assumption that dogs must simply fit into human lifestyles, instead encouraging owners to better understand and adapt to their pets’ innate needs. Schuurman argued that behaviours such as herding or digging are not “naughty” but deeply ingrained traits, shaped over generations.

She says that by adopting a mindset shift understanding the dog in front of you is the first step to helping them thrive.

As the day drew to a close, Andrew Hale returned to the stage with a simple but powerful call to action, be more curious.

Rather than judging or reacting, he urged professionals to ask questions, to listen, and to guide pet owners with empathy. In doing so, he said, they can create lasting change, not just for animals, but for the humans who care for them.

With a packed agenda still to come, day one in Torquay made one thing abundantly clear, the future of animal care is not just about treating illness, but about truly understanding how animals feel.

Find out more at www.petremedy.co.uk