Dr Monica Bando

Monica is responsible for developing humane clinical skills and effective professional and communication skills for the University of Central Lancashire’s new School of Veterinary Medicine. Monica’s research interests include animal welfare, veterinary ethics, effective and humane veterinary education, as well as wildlife conservation, medicine and welfare. Monica has published in a variety of peer-reviewed journals, serves on the board of international animal welfare charities, and consults on wildlife cases for international charities.

Monica graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (veterinary degree, DVM equivalent, AVMA accredited) from Massey University, New Zealand, in 2007, and a PhD in Veterinary Clinical Sciences from Washington State University, U.S., in 2019.

Monica worked as an associate veterinarian in private practice in the U.S. She then moved to China and joined Animals Asia, an international animal welfare charity where she served as Senior Veterinarian at their China Bear Rescue Centre. Her responsibilities included various welfare outreach programs including dog and cat shelter support and veterinary capacity building for veterinary students and local veterinary practitioners in China to help improve standards of care. Monica has also worked and volunteered internationally with companion animal and wildlife species including as a locum veterinarian in the U.K. and at a veterinary teaching hospital in the U.S., and as a volunteer wildlife veterinarian with the Scandinavian Brown Bear Project in Sweden and at Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Sierra Leone.

Monica worked as a captive wildlife veterinarian for the captive animal law enforcement division of The PETA Foundation, working for a legal team addressing cases of abuse and neglect of wildlife as well as drafting comprehensive regulatory welfare standards for birds and large carnivores. Monica also served as a clinical communications coach at Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine guiding veterinary students through simulated veterinary consults.

Monica also developed wildlife welfare seminar series for veterinary students, has advised and mentored veterinary students throughout senior research projects, and has been an invited and guest speaker at numerous interdisciplinary and veterinary conferences and public talks nationally and internationally, presenting on a range of topics in animal welfare, wildlife conservation and medicine, one health, and veterinary ethics.