AVTA Annual Continuing Education Conference
6001 Moquin Drive
Refund Policy
The AVTA is unable to refund registration fees unless in the unlikely event the conference is cancelled. If you are no longer able to attend the event in person, please email alvettech@gmail.com
Recommended Lodging
The Westin
6800 Governors W, Huntsville, AL 35806 • (256) 428-2000
Embassy Suites
800 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801 • (256) 539-7373
Fairfield Inn
1385 Enterprise Way, Huntsville, AL 35806 • (256) 971-0921
Hyatt Place Huntsville/Research Park
6860 Governors W, Huntsville, AL 35806 • (256) 666-9660
Drury Inn and Suites
93 Wynn Dr NW, Huntsville, AL 35805 • (256) 430-9888
Hampton Inn and Suites Huntsville/Research Park
5903 University Dr, Huntsville, AL 35806 • (256) 830-0600
Schedule
Note that this schedule is subject to change as needed by AVTA and guest lecturers
| TIME | Discovery Hall B | The Board Room |
| 7:00 | Vendor set up | Vendor set up |
| 7:20 | Doors open for registration check in | Doors open for registration check in |
| 8:00 | Lonestar Ticks: An Expanding Threat To Pets and Humans (Sponsored by BI) | Help! My Patient Can’t Walk |
| 9:00 | Avoiding Client Conflict (presented by Barbara Schick) | Platelets for the Veterinary Nurse |
| 10:00 | Dermatology in Veterinary Medicine- Technicians in Dermatology (Sponsored by Vetoquinol) | Hands Free Radiology (Sponsored by VCA) |
| 11:00 | Lunch and meeting set up | LUNCH (Sponsored by Elanco), AWARDS and BUSINESS MEETING (Discovery Hall B) |
| 12:00 | LUNCH (Sponsored by Elanco), AWARDS and BUSINESS MEETING | LUNCH (Sponsored by Elanco), AWARDS and BUSINESS MEETING |
| 1:00 | Don’t Just Count Teeth: Oral Anatomy and Terminology | Surgical Success: Post-Operative Mess; Nursing Care of the Post-Operative Patient |
| 2:00 | From Spicy to Spectacular: Understanding Veterinary Related Fear and Panic- Sponsored by Dechra | Too Sick to Isolate: Managing Infectious Patients in the ICU |
| 3:00 | Fear Free: The Emotional Experience- Reducing Fear Anxiety and Stress During the Veterinary Visit- Sponsored by Elanco | Basic ECG Monitoring |
| 4:00 | CPMA: Changing the Game on Treating Parvovirus- Sponsored by Elanco | Building Better Boundaries- An (Optionally) Interactive session |
| 5:00 | BREAKDOWN/CLEANUP | BREAKDOWN/CLEANUP |
6:30-10:30 Networking and social event- The Shed at The Stovehouse Event Center
Schedule
Note that this schedule is subject to change as needed by AVTA and guest lecturers
| TIME | ROOM A |
| 7:00 | Vendor set up |
| 7:20 | Doors open for registration check in |
| 8:00 | Lonestar Ticks: An Expanding Threat To Pets and Humans (Sponsored by BI) |
| 9:00 | Avoiding Client Conflict (presented by Barbara Schick) |
| 10:00 | Dermatology in Veterinary Medicine- Technicians in Dermatology (Sponsored by Vetoquinol) |
| 11:00 | Lunch and meeting set up |
| 12:00 | LUNCH (Sponsored by Elanco), AWARDS and BUSINESS MEETING |
| 1:00 | Don’t Just Count Teeth: Oral Anatomy and Terminology |
| 2:00 | From Spicy to Spectacular: Understanding Veterinary Related Fear and Panic- Sponsored by Dechra |
| 3:00 | Fear Free: The Emotional Experience- Reducing Fear Anxiety and Stress During the Veterinary Visit- Sponsored by Elanco |
| 4:00 | CPMA: Changing the Game on Treating Parvovirus- Sponsored by Elanco |
| 5:00 | BREAKDOWN/CLEANUP |
| ROOM B | |
| 7:00 | Vendor set up |
| 7:20 | Doors open for registration check in |
| 8:00 | Help! My Patient Can’t Walk |
| 9:00 | Platelets for the Veterinary Nurse |
| 10:00 | Hands Free Radiology (Sponsored by VCA) |
| 11:00 | Break-visit vendors-votes tabulated |
| 12:00 | LUNCH (Sponsored by Elanco), AWARDS and BUSINESS MEETING |
| 1:00 | Surgical Success: Post-Operative Mess; Nursing Care of the Post-Operative Patient |
| 2:00 | Too Sick to Isolate: Managing Infectious Patients in the ICU |
| 3:00 | Basic ECG Monitoring |
| 4:00 | Building Better Boundaries- An (Optionally) Interactive session |
| 5:00 | BREAKDOWN/CLEANUP |
6:30-10:30 Networking and social event- The Shed at The Stovehouse Event Center
Event Speakers
Lechon Camp, LVT, RN (inactive)
Lechon is a Licensed Veterinary Technician with a passion for anesthesia. After working 9 years in human medicine, mostly in the ER setting, Lechon ventured out for a part time position in veterinary medicine. A referral practice hired her to be a technician anesthetist based on her human nursing experience. Soon, Lechon found true love in animal nursing. She let her nursing career, “go to the dogs” and has been happy ever since. She now has over 15 years of veterinary medical experience. After graduating from Jefferson State Community College, Lechon became a LVT. Her focus is mostly on anesthesia, but she has worked part time in the general practice setting. Lechon is currently pursuing her goal of becoming a vet tech specialist (VTS) in anesthesia. She enjoys working for Huntsville Veterinary Specialists and Emergency, where she is currently the lead anesthesia technician for the surgery staff. Lechon has a strong love for education and welcomes any opportunity to teach. Join us to hear Lechon present, “ECG Monitoring”. This lecture will focus on basic cardiology anatomy, physiology, and conductivity. Students will learn the basic cardiac rhythms frequently encountered in veterinary medicine, along with some advanced rhythm assessment. Presentation goals include teaching attendees to recognize both normal and abnormal cardiac rhythms, know when to notify the veterinarian, and anticipate what treatments should be expected in response to certain abnormal cardiac rhythms. After the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to identify and discuss a few selected rhythms.
Lectures
“Basic ECG Monitoring”
Barbara L. Schick, CVT, RVT, LVT (fka:Kotula)
Sponsored by: Vetoquinol
Lectures
“Avoiding Client Conflict”
“Dermatology in Veterinary Medicine- Technicians in Dermatology” (Sponsored by Vetoquinol)
Kisha M. Roach, DVM
Sponsored by Elanco Animal Health
Lectures
Fear Free: The Emotional Experience- Reducing Fear Anxiety and Stress During the Veterinary Visit
CPMA: Changing the Game on Treating Parvovirus
Casey Smith, MS, LVT
Casey is an ICU Supervisor at Veterinary Specialists of Birmingham. Casey obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Veterinary Technology from Murray State University in 2020, passed the VTNE in December 2020, and obtained a Master’s Degree in Agriculture with a Veterinary Hospital Management Certificate in 2021. Currently pursuing a VTS in Clinical Pathology, Casey resides in Tuscaloosa with Brian (husband) and two rescue pit bulls (Sawyer and Goose). Smith really enjoys nature, hiking in National Parks (with a goal to travel to all 63– currently at 19), and reading. Casey’s main passions in veterinary medicine are clinical pathology and client education.
Lectures
“Platelets for the Veterinary Nurse“
Learning objectives:
-Platelet morphology
Basic understanding of platelets and their purpose
Cell production from pluripotent stem cell to platelet
-Brief overview of clotting cascade
Pictures/diagrams to demonstrate
-Species differentiations
Morphological differences
Reference intervals
-Platelet estimations
How to perform and calculate
Importance of this–presurgical BW, hospitalized patients, patterns over time, etc.
-Conditions associated with platelet disorders
Thrombocytopenia, VWD, rat bait ingestion, etc.
-Cases of platelet disorders
Patti LeVan, LVT
Catoosa Veterinary Clinic became part of VCA in 2010 and was renamed to VCA Catoosa Animal Hospital. At that time, Patti was named as the head technician and has served as the Technical Supervisor for the practice since. In October of 2020, while continuing to serve at Catoosa, Patti was also named to the newly created Area Technician/Assistant Supervisor role for VCA’s South Atlantic Region and has worked in that role to assist hospitals across the region with technical training and staff development.
Patti believes strongly in community and professional service. She has held various leadership roles in PTO and other school organizations throughout her two girls’ school careers and she continues to serve as a children’s ministry leader in her church. She is currently a board member and treasurer for the AKC registered Obedience Club of Chattanooga. Patti also currently serves on the board of the GVTAA as Treasurer and has been honored to serve as a college program accreditation site team member for the AVMA.
Patti currently resides in Ringgold, Georgia with her husband of 28 years, two dogs, a cat and two chickens. Her husband works for Shaw Industries in developing and supporting the company’s supply chain technology. Their oldest daughter and son-in-law reside in Savannah, Georgia, where she is working on a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Georgia Southern
University, and he is a fitness manager at a local club. Their youngest daughter is currently working on her undergraduate degree at the University of Georgia at Athens and has been accepted to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at the same university. Patti herself has recently started a degree program at St. Petersburg College to get her BAS in Veterinary Technology and her Certification in Veterinary Practice Management (CVPM).
Lectures
Leslie Wereszczak, MS, LVMT, VTS (ECC)
Leslie has been a credentialed veterinary technician for over 30 years. After graduating from the veterinary technology program at SUNY Delhi in 1989, she joined the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine where she is now the Director of Emergency/Critical Care. Leslie enjoys the unpredictable nature of emergency/critical care and the diverse caseload it provides. She enjoys teaching veterinary and veterinary technician students in the clinical and laboratory settings.
Leslie is also a passionate advocate for the veterinary technician profession. She is involved with her state technician association, NAVTA, and serves on the NAVTA Veterinary Nurse Initiative Committee, as well as being a member at large on the AVECCTN board. Leslie is a RECOVER CPR certified instructor. She also serves as the Vice Chair of the Tennessee State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. In addition to her veterinary technician degree, she holds a BS in Business Management and an MS in Management and Leadership.
Lectures
All post-operative patients require careful monitoring to ensure the patient has a successful recovery from surgery and anesthesia. Those patients considered critical require advanced nursing care in order to maximize the potential for a positive outcome. It is important for the veterinary technician to have a global approach to these patients and be able to consider multiple factors at the same time.
Lauren S. Grider, DVM, CCFP
Dr. Grider is a 2008 graduate of Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Following graduation, she relocated to the Tennessee River Valley and worked for eleven years in small animal practice as an Associate Veterinarian in both Madison, AL and Huntsville, AL. In 2019, she opened her own full-time veterinary relief business which serves the Tennessee River Valley. She has special interests in internal medicine, oncology, dentistry, and feline medicine. Dr. Grider is a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional and is currently completing her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of North Alabama. She hopes to one day combine her passions for veterinary medicine and psychotherapy by providing mental health services to veterinarians and other healthcare professionals. Dr. Grider is the co-host of IntroVETS Podcast, a veterinary podcast by introverts with high-functioning anxiety. The podcast presents clinical case studies, interviews with veterinary specialists and other veterinary professionals, and mental health episodes with special guest therapists. Her other hobbies include being a “mom” to four cats, gardening, dancing, and competing at the state and national levels in powerlifting.
Lectures
Rachel Lees, LVMT, KPA CTP, VTS (Behavior), FFCP (Elite), LSHC - Silver
Sponsored by: Dechra
Lectures
“From Spicy to Spectacular: Understanding Veterinary Related Fear and Panic”.
“Will Bite”, “Caution”, “AGGRESSIVE”, are some of the notes veterinary professionals see in a patient’s medical record, and typically send the team into a frenzy of frustration, irritability, and instantly make most veterinary professionals think, “Let’s get ready to rumble”. Attendees who attend this lecture will be present on a discussion on what veterinary related aggression is (to the core), why our patients act this way, and options of how we can modify and treat this care inhibiting behavior.
Learning Objective:
-The importance of understanding body language and animal behavior in veterinary medicine
-The difference between “wants” vs “needs” vs “pushing through”
-The importance of behavior modification plays in veterinary related procedures
-Medications alone will NEVER create a better veterinary visit (unless we can safely sedate the pet).
-Discussion on sedatives and behavior medications used frequently in veterinary behavior cases.
Jill Narak DVM, MS, DACVIM (Neurology)
Dr. Jill Narak joined Huntsville Veterinary Specialists & Emergency in September 2019. Dr. Narak received a Bachelor of Arts in English and Biology from Creighton University in 2001. She was awarded a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2005, graduating with honors. Dr. Narak continued her education with an internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery (2006) and a residency in Neurology/Neurosurgery (2009) at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. She was elected chief resident by her peers during her final year of residency. During her time at Auburn, Dr.
Narak also earned a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences. After completion of her residency, Dr. Narak joined the faculty at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. In 2012, she moved back to Alabama to begin a family and served as an assistant professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences at Auburn University. She then spent a few years in private practice in the North Atlanta suburbs. She has taught and trained thousands of veterinary students, interns, and residents. Dr. Narak is a member of American Veterinary Medical Association, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM), Southeastern Veterinary Neurology Group, Georgia Veterinary Medical Association, Cobb County Veterinary Medical Association, and a founding member of the Veterinary Neurosurgical Society. Additionally, Dr. Narak is a visiting professor at St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine in Grenada, West Indies. In addition to her clinical work and teaching, Dr. Narak has been published in the Journal of the
American Veterinary Medical Association, American Journal of Veterinary Research, Veterinary Radiology and Ultrasound, and Case Reports in Veterinary Medicine. Her clinical interests include neurosurgery, and she has expertise in the management of Chiari-like malformation and neuropathic pain.
Lectures
- Differential diagnoses to consider
- Treatment options to be aware of
- Management and nursing care for dogs and cats who have difficulty walking
The focus of this talk will be on point #3
Denise Rollings, CVT, VTS (Dentistry)
dentistry for veterinary hospitals nationwide as well as working as a dental educator for several companies. Following her passion for teaching and inspiring others, Denise has lectured and taught labs nationally and
internationally on topics ranging from veterinary dentistry, to improving standards of dentistry at individual animal hospitals. She also provides relief work, working for veterinary dentists and general practices. Denise is
currently providing care for the patients of Pet Dental Center in Estero FL. Denise resides in Fort Myers, Florida with her husband and fur babies. She dedicates her time to improving oral care to the patients of veterinary
hospitals across the country. She has passion for veterinary dentistry and strives to ignite that passion in others. Denise is a firm believer in improving the quality of our pets’ lives, one tooth at a time. In her free time, Denise
enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being outdoors and traveling.
Lectures
Learning Objectives:
1. Learn to identify specific tooth and oral anatomy
2. Understand the accepted tooth numbering system
3. Recognize normal findings from abnormal during an oral examination
4. Use directional terminology correctly
Beckie Mossor
Ms. Mossor is a Registered Veterinary Technician living in Southport, North Carolina. She has enjoyed a diverse career in small animals, large animal, mixed practices, management, private consulting, and academia. Ms. Mossor is currently the program director for the Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts new program in development. Additionally, she is co-founder of Veterinary Advancements, a private consulting firm providing services to industry nonprofit and state organizations, industry start-ups, and practice teams. When possible, she deploys with the ASPCA Disaster Recover Team. As for passion projects, Ms. Mossor is thrilled to be one of the minds behind Vet Team Global Stream Online Veterinary Team Conference, as well as the Veterinary Industry Giving Tree, founded to help her colleagues during the holidays. She is also cohost of the Veterinary Viewfinder and Making Sense of Pets podcasts.
Lectures
a veterinary technician audience. As such, it is a part of Boehringer
Ingelheim’s Vet Tech Champions (TC) program. The goal of the TC
program is to empower veterinary technicians in speaking to dog owners
specifically about the lone star tick. By pairing technical information on
the disease state with communication tools and techniques, veterinary
technicians will leave this presentation feeling empowered to educate pet
owners on how to keep dogs safe from tick-borne diseases.
Learning Objectives:
1. Learn the health risks associated with lone star ticks, which transmit
more pathogens to dogs and people combined than any other US
tick.
2. Recognize how the geographic expansion of these ticks puts more
dogs and owners at risk.
3. Understand why year-round tick protection is necessary.
All TC programs are approved for 1 hour of RACE Continuing Education
Food:
Here’s what we’re planning for Annual Conference thanks to a generous sponsorship from Elanco!
Sponsors
