Submitted by J. Hudson on Thu, 12/02/2026 - 15:36
Cambridge University Veterinary Society was honoured to welcome Dr Bruce Fogle MBE to St John’s College on Wednesday 11 February for the Keith Entwistle Memorial Lecture 2026. The annual lecture, held in memory of former CUVS President Keith Entwistle, continues its long tradition of inspiring students and colleagues to reflect on the values, challenges, and future direction of the veterinary profession.
Dr Fogle delivered a captivating lecture lasting over an hour, during which he shared insights from a career that has spanned several decades and continents. His talk combined personal reflection, professional experience, and thoughtful commentary on the changing nature of veterinary medicine, holding the audience’s attention throughout.
Beginning with his early training in Ontario, Canada, Dr Fogle described his formative years in general practice and the experiences that shaped his understanding of what it truly means to be a veterinarian. From there, he traced a professional journey that has included work with the Zoological Society of London at London Zoo, the founding of the London Vet Clinic, and leadership roles within major international animal welfare organisations.
Among many notable achievements, Dr Fogle co-founded and served as Vice-Chairman of the charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, for which he was awarded an MBE for services to animal welfare. He later became Chairman of Humane Society International, advocating globally for the protection and humane treatment of animals. Alongside his clinical and advocacy work, he is also a prolific author, having written more than 40 books translated into over 35 languages, helping to shape public understanding of animal health and the human-animal bond.
Throughout his lecture, Dr Fogle brought his experiences to life with warmth and humour, sharing unexpected stories from his career, including encounters with the Dalai Lama and even tea with the Emperor of Japan. These anecdotes added a personal and engaging dimension to a talk rich in professional insight.
Drawing on this extraordinary career, Dr Fogle turned to the central theme of his lecture, “What is the value of a vet school?”. His reflections were particularly timely in light of current discussions surrounding the structure of the veterinary profession, uncertainty about the future of veterinary education and the rapidly evolving landscape of clinical practice.
He also addressed contemporary challenges facing the profession, including the balance between independent and corporate practice and the increasing pressures of over-diagnosis and over-treatment. These themes prompted reflection on how veterinary medicine can retain its core values while adapting to commercial, technological and societal change.
The Keith Entwistle Memorial Lecture is held annually in memory of Keith Entwistle, a former President of CUVS who tragically died in 1959 just two weeks after graduating. Established in his honour, the lecture aims to inspire veterinary students and professionals alike to broaden their horizons and engage thoughtfully with the wider responsibilities of the profession.
Cambridge University Veterinary Society extends its sincere thanks to Dr Bruce Fogle for travelling to Cambridge, for delivering such an engaging and inspiring lecture and for sharing a lifetime of wisdom with our budding veterinary students. His visit was truly memorable and greatly appreciated by all who attended.