Dr. Heather Bacon , OBE, BSc (Hons), BVSc, CertZooMed, SFHEA MRCVS, is a veterinarian, head of the veterinary school at the University of Central Lancashire and a DEFRA-appointed UK zoo inspector. She has worked internationally on veterinary education and animal welfare projects for over 15 years and was previously responsible for developing and teaching veterinary and postgraduate students at the University of Edinburgh in animal welfare, behaviour and veterinary ethics. Heather works with many charities, veterinary and political organisations to develop veterinary educational initiatives around the world, with a focus on improving the welfare of captive and free-ranging wildlife, and free-roaming dogs and cats. Heather also delivers UK zookeeper training courses in animal health, behaviour and welfare via the Diploma in the Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals (DMZAA), and the Zookeeper Apprenticeship. Previously, she worked as the Veterinary Director at the Animals Asia Foundation, an NGO working to end the trade in bear bile, and improve companion animal welfare across Asia. Heather has published extensively in the field of animal welfare education.