Lectures

VTAC provides opportunities for you to learn new and innovative skills to take back to your clinic on Monday morning.

Lectures by highly skilled colleagues will help you discover knowledge and tools that will continue your growth as a veterinary technician, technologist, or assistant.

(Note: Scheduled sessions are subject to change or cancellation.)

Reveille

VENI 106 A

8–8:50 a.m.
The Shock Factor: Why fluid loss can lead to catastrophe
Ashley Wetz, LVT, VTS (ECC)

9–9:50 a.m.
Anesthetic Considerations for Patients with Septic Peritonitis
Lanette Jordan, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia)

10:10–11 a.m.
Sunshine and Danger: Exploring Vitamin D Toxicity
Ashley Wetz, LVT, VTS (ECC)

11:10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Anesthetic Considerations for Patients with Gastric Dilated Volvulus
Lanette Jordan, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia)

12th Man

VENI 106 B

8–8:50 a.m.
Ear Today, Gone Tomorrow: Ear Disease in Small Animals
Amanda Friedeck, LVT, VTS (Dermatology)

9–9:50 a.m.
Cutaneous Adverse Food Reactions in Small Animals
Amanda Friedeck, LVT, VTS (Dermatology)

10:10–11 a.m.
So Fresh and So Clean… Clean: Not Just a Dental Cleaning
Vanessa Huizar, LVT, VTS (Dentistry)

11:10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Do It for the Root!
Vanessa Huizar, LVT, VTS (Dentistry)

Gig ‘Em

VENI 101 B

8–8:50 a.m.
Lymphoma Basics
Liz Wood, LVT

9–9:50 a.m.
Handling and Submission on Oncologic Diagnostics
Liz Wood, LVT

10:10–11 a.m.
FreezeFrame! Tips and Techniques for Taking the Best Diagnostic Images Possible in Clinic
Alanna Sessum, LVT

11:10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Teeth and Claws and Wings, Oh My! How to Take Great Diagnostic Images on Those Feisty Exotics
Alanna Sessum, LVT

Howdy

VIDI 103

8–8:50 a.m.
Equine Emergencies: I Can Fix Him (No, I Really Can), pt. 1
Autumn Teach

9–9:50 a.m.
Equine Emergencies: I Can Fix Him (No, I Really Can), pt. 2
Autumn Teach

10:10–11 a.m.
The Role of Fatty Acids in the Equine Diet
Jennifer Wier, MS

11:10 a.m.–12 p.m.
The Hidden Role of Vitamin E in Peak Equine Performance
Jennifer Wier, MS

Whoop

VIDI 105

8–8:50 a.m.
Anemia in Small Ruminants
Erica Kubichek, LVT

9–9:50 a.m.
The Pizzle: Blocked Goats
Erica Kubichek, LVT

10:10–11 a.m.
Moo-ving Forward: Diagnostic Imaging Adventures in Food Animals
Kimberley Sannajust, DVM

11:10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Prohibited & Restricted Drugs in Food Producing Animals
Erica Kubichek, LVT

Aggie

VENI 101 C

8–8:50 a.m.
Recognizing drug diversion: A series of stories and red flags
Amy Savarino, PharmD

9–9:50 a.m.
Resilient Mind
Mike Hawkins, MA, LPC

10:10–11 a.m.
Resilient Body
Mike Hawkins, MA, LPC

11:10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Working with Challenging Clients
Mike Hawkins, MA, LPC

Reveille

VENI 106 A

1–1:50 p.m.
Electrolytes 101: Essential elements for cellular function
Ashley Wetz, LVT, VTS (ECC)

2–2:50 p.m.
Anesthetic Considerations for Patients with Feline Urethral Obstruction
Lanette Jordan, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia)

3:10–4 p.m.
Drop It Like It’s Hot: A Review of Ocular Pharmacology
Maria Moriyon, DVM

4:10–5 p.m.
Paws and Pixels: Mastering Diagnostic Imaging in Small Animals
Kimberley Sannajust, DVM

12th Man

VENI 106 B

1–1:50 p.m.
What is Thaaat? The Normal vs. the Abnormal in Veterinary Dentistry
Vanessa Huizar, LVT, VTS (Dentistry)

2–2:50 p.m.
Understanding Pet Food Labels and Product Guides
Ashley Self LVT, VTS (Nutrition)

3:10–4 p.m.
Nutrition Support for the CKD Patient
Ashley Self LVT, VTS (Nutrition)

4:10–5 p.m.
Dietary Fiber, Not a One Dose Fits All
Ashley Self LVT, VTS (Nutrition)

Gig ‘Em

VENI 101 B

1–1:50 p.m.
Enhancing Research with Skilled Veterinary Technicians
Sandra Cole, LVT

2–2:50 p.m.
When Hormones Go Haywire: Part 1 – Addison’s Disease
Katrina Sciba, LVT

3:10–4 p.m.
When Hormones Go Haywire: Pt. 2 – Cushing’s Disease
Katrina Sciba, LVT

4:10–5 p.m.
pHunny Business: Finding Humor in Acid-Base
Katrina Sciba, LVT

Howdy

VIDI 103

1–1:50 p.m.
Field Anesthesia and Analgesia
Jeannette Bayer

2–2:50 p.m.
Equine Recovery the Aggie Way
Jeannette Bayer

3:10–4 p.m.
A Work of A.R.T: The Veterinary Technician/Assistant’s Role in Equine Assisted Reproductive Technologies
Lisa Jolley

4:10–5 p.m.
Boy Trouble: Reproductive Issues in the Stallion
Lisa Jolley

Whoop

VIDI 105

1–1:50 p.m.
Ruminate in Rest: A Guide to Ruminant Anesthesia
Alexis Fichtel, LVT

2–2:50 p.m.
Snouts and Snoozes: A Guide to Pig Anesthesia
Alexis Fichtel, LVT

3:10–4 p.m.
Only Hooves: Hoof Trimming and Maintenance
Caiti Amox

4:10–5 p.m.
Bovine Brew: Uncovering the Magic of Rumen Fluid
Hailey Drerup, DVM

Aggie

VENI 101 C

1–1:50 p.m.
“I Can Do It With a Broken Heart”: Leading Through Change with Resilience and Empathy
Stefanie Hinojosa, LVT

2–2:50 p.m.
State of the Profession: Midlevel Practitioner and other legislative issues affecting Texas Veterinarians and Staff
David Sessum, LVT

3:10–4 p.m.
No Drama Y’all: Preventing and Managing Conflict in the Veterinary Workplace
Monica Janacek, DVM, MBA

4:10–5 p.m.
Leadership Skills to Maximize Your Career Trajectory
Monica Janacek, DVM, MBA

Reveille

VENI 106 A

8–8:50 a.m.
“You Need to Calm Down”: Selecting a Premedication Protocol
Jerri Rubio, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia)

9–9:50 a.m.
“I Can Do It With a Broken Heart”: Anesthesia and Cardiovascular Disease
Jerri Rubio, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia)

10:10–11 a.m.
“Your Sweet Disposition and My Wide-Eyed Gaze”: Anesthesia and the Diabetic Patient
Jerri Rubio, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia)

11:10 a.m.–12 p.m.
“Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?”: Anesthesia and the Tiny Creatures
Jerri Rubio, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia)

12th Man

VENI 106 B

8–8:50 a.m.
10 Tips to Make Your Clients and Patients Eager to Come Back
Debbie Martin, LVT, VTS (Behavior)

9–9:50 a.m.
The Benefits of Utilizing Sedation for Short-Term Procedures
Debbie Martin, LVT, VTS (Behavior)

10:10–11 a.m.
Basic Behavior Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses
Debbie Martin, LVT, VTS (Behavior)

11:10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Crash, Boom, Bang! Protocols for Dogs with Sound Sensitivity
Debbie Martin, LVT, VTS (Behavior)

Gig ‘Em

VENI 101 B

8–8:50 a.m.
Look What You Made Me Do: Making the Switch From Traditional Concept Practice to Open Concept Practice and Escaping Toxicity
Morgan Wright, LVT

9–9:50 a.m.
Matching the Unlikely: Blood Crossmatching for Exotic Species
Jennifer Perkins, LVT

10:10–11 a.m.
Hot Under the Collar: Canine Heat Injury
Sarah Perry, LVT, VTCert (TMedNrsg)

11:10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Vital Drops: Canine and Feline Transfusion Medicine
Sarah Perry, LVT, VTCert (TMedNrsg)

Howdy

VIDI 103

8:10–8:50 a.m.
Bandaging: It’s a Wrap
Brecca Jo Coffman-Wheaton

9:00–9.50 a.m.
MRI: Start to Finish
Brecca Jo Coffman-Wheaton

10:10–11 a.m.
It’s Electric! Understanding the ECG
Bridget Savitske

11:10 a.m.–12 p.m.
The Horse That Huffs and Puffs
Bridget Savitske

Whoop

VIDI 105

8–8:50 a.m.
Chuteside Shots: The Basics of Herd Work
Elizabeth Rumfola

9–9:50 a.m.
The Care and Keeping of the Camelid
Elizabeth Rumfola

10:10–11 a.m.
You’ve Goat to be Kidding Me
Jennifer Sowinski

11:10–12 p.m.
This Little Piggie Lives in the House
Jennifer Sowinski

Aggie

VENI 101 C

8–8:50 a.m.
Session Title
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9–9:50 a.m.
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10:10–11 a.m.
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11:10 a.m.–12 p.m.
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Reveille

VENI 106 A

1–1:50 p.m.
Veterinary Ophthalmology for Veterinary Technicians
Kathrine Coronado, LVT, VTS (Ophthalmology)

2–2:50 p.m.
Cataracts and Cataract Surgery in Companion Animals
Kathrine Coronado, LVT, VTS (Ophthalmology)

3:10–4 p.m.
Silent Danger: Understanding Carbon Monoxide Toxicity in Veterinary Patients
Connor Burns, RVN, CVT, CertVNECC

4:10–5 p.m.
Case Report: Hypercapnoea Following Lateral Thoracotomy
Connor Burns, RVN, CVT, CertVNECC

12th Man

VENI 106 B

1–1:50 p.m.
Getting the Most Out of Your Career
Paula Plummer, LVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM, CP-fe)

2–2:50 p.m.
The Technician’s Role in Diabetes Management
Paula Plummer, LVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM, CP-fe)

3:10–4 p.m.
Systemic Fungal Disease in the Canine and Feline Patient
Paula Plummer, LVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM, CP-fe)

4:10–5 p.m.
Feline Chronic Kidney Disease
Paula Plummer, LVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM, CP-fe)

Gig ‘Em

VENI 101 B

1–1:50 p.m.
A Shelter Approach Dealing with a Distemper Outbreak
Elizabeth McNeil, LVT

2–2:50 p.m.
Cheetahs: A Fast Run at Their Unique Medicine and Management
Holly Haefele, DVM

3:10–4 p.m.
Fantastic Little Beasts: Parasites at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
Holly Haefele, DVM

4:10–5 p.m.
Giraffe Anesthesia: It’s a Long Story
Holly Haefele, DVM

Howdy

VIDI 103

1–1:50 p.m.
Session Title
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2–2:50 p.m.
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3:10–4 p.m.
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4:10–5 p.m.
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Whoop

VIDI 105

1–1:50 p.m.
Session Title
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2–2:50 p.m.
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3:10–4 p.m.
Session Title
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4:10–5 p.m.
Session Title
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Aggie

VENI 101 C

1–1:50 p.m.
Session Title
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2–2:50 p.m.
Session Title
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3:10–4 p.m.
Session Title
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4:10–5 p.m.
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