About us
Goal
The European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine (ECAWBM) strives to provide animal owners and their veterinarians with European Veterinary Specialists; veterinarians specialised in animal welfare and/or behavioural medicine. The college is composed of two sub-specialties namely Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law (AWSEL) and Behavioural Medicine (BM). Diplomates are qualified veterinarians who have undergone an extensive, well-defined training programme over many years within the fields of animal welfare and behavioural medicine before passing a demanding board examination. This assures high quality service to the general animal owning public and to referring veterinarians.
Specialisms
Behavioural Medicine. Provisionally recognised in 2002. Fully recognised in 2013 (12th April 2013).
Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law. Provisionally recognised in 2011
Recognition from the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation
The College received Provisional Recognition from the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation (EBVS) on the first of April 2002 and Full Recognition on the 12th of April 2012.
ECAWBM Structure
The College is governed by the College Board which consists of the College officers. The College officers are elected during AGMs by the College Members. The College officers ensure that the College runs according to the rules of the EBVS and the Constitution and Bylaws of the College. Day to day activities are run by the Executive Group of both sub-specialities. Each sub-speciality Executive Group is comprised of the Chair of each Sub-Committee and the Chair of the Executive Group. The Executive Group oversees the running of the Committees who work hard to keep all college affairs in order.
ECAWBM Board / College Officers
Peter Thornton
President president@ecawbm.com
Ludovica Pierantoni
Vice-President vicepresident@ecawbm.com
Emmanuelle Titeux
Secretary secretary@ecawbm.com
Martin Whiting
Treasurer treasurer@ecawbm.com
Anouck Haverbeke
Past-President pastpresident@ecawbm.com
James Hunt
Chair Executive Group AWSEL AWSELChair@ecawbm.com
Sarah Heath
Chair Executive Group BM bmchair@ecawbm.com
Sub-speciality Executive Groups and Committees of the College
ECAWBM Members
The College has the following members:
(a) Founding Diplomates ECVBM-CA (2002)
(b) Founding Diplomates ECAWBM (Welfare Science, Ethics and Law) (2011)
(c) Diplomates
(d) Honorary Members
(e) Associate members
(f) Non-Practising Diplomates
(g) Retired Diplomates
Specialist Titles
- EBVS European Veterinary Specialist® in Behavioural Medicine
- EBVS European Veterinary Specialist® in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law
Constitution & Bylaws
Policies and Pocedures
ECAWBM Members Lists
Latest Updates
2025 AWSEL examination
📢 SAVE THE DATE! 📢 The 2025 AWSEL Examination is scheduled for 15th-17th September 2025. 🗓️✨ 📌 A detailed timetable will be announced soon—stay tuned!
Residency Training Program, Ghent University
Residency Training Programme in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine (ECAWBM) The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Ghent University offers a position for
EVCBMAW Early Bird
EVCBMAW Early bird registrations are open up to and including June 30, 2024.
Committees of College
Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law (AWSEL) Sub-Speciality Sub-Committees
AWSEL Executive Group
- James Hunt (Chair)
- Anne Quain
- Hen Honig
- Manuel Magalhães Sant’Ana
For enquiries about examinations, please contact Hen Honig at examinationAWSEL@ecawbm.org
For enquiries about credentials and recertification, please contact Anne Quain at credentialAWSEL@ecawbm.org
For enquiries about education, please contact Manuel Magalhães-Sant’Ana at educationawsel@ecawbm.org
Re-certification and Credentialing sub-Committee:
- Anne Quain (Chair)
- Evangelina Sossidou (Vice-Chair)
- Peter Fordyce
- Cecilie Mejdel
- Elie Wigham
Education sub-Committee:
- Manuel Magalhães Sant’Ana (Chair)
- Elein Hernández Trujillo (Training Officer)
- Sophia Hepple
- Caroline Gilbert
- Claire Diederich
Examination sub-Committee:
- Hen Honig (Chair)
- Eleonora Nannoni (Vice-Chair)
- Jose Peralta
- Frank Peron
- Monica Battini
- Viktor Jurkovich
Behavioural Medicine (BM) Sub-Speciality Sub-Committees
BM Executive Group:
- Sarah Heath (Chair)
- Sylvia Masson
- Christos Karagiannis
- Ángela González Martínez
Credentialing and Re-certification sub-Committee:
- Christos Karagiannis (Chair)
- Theresa de Porter (Vice Chair)
- Yasemin Saligirli Demirbas
- Ashley Elzerman
Education and Residency sub-Committee:
- Ángela González (Chair)
- Lorella Notari (Vice Chair)
- Marta Amat
- Asahi Ogi
- Isabel Luno (Training Officer)
Examination sub-Committee:
- Sylvia Masson (Chair)
- Maya Bram (Vice Chair)
- Carlo Siracusa
- Chiara Passalacqua
- Machteld van Dierendonck
- Nadja Affenzeller
- Simona Normando
- Stephane Bleuer
- Clara Palestrini