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.)
Saturday, May 16
Morning Sessions
7–8 a.m. — Registration
Reveille
VENI 106 A
8–8:50 a.m.
Sarah Perry, LVT, VTS (ECC)
The Prisoner of No Air: Managing Acute Respiratory Distress
9–9:50 a.m.
Sarah Perry, LVT, VTS (ECC)
The Chamber of Rhythms: Decoding the ECG in Critical Patients
10–10:50 a.m.
Rebecca Piotrowski, LVT, VTS (Surgery)
Teachin’ on a TPLO
11–11:50 a.m.
Rebecca Piotrowski, LVT, VTS (Surgery)
Disinfection for Patient Protection
12th Man
VENI 106 B
8–8:50 a.m.
Christina Gentry, DVM, DACVD
Introduction to Dermatology: Terminology and Diagnostic Tests
9–9:50 a.m.
Christina Gentry, DVM, DACVD
Ear and Skin Cytology: High Value Diagnostic Tests
10–10:50 a.m.
Courtney Liermann, LVT, VTS (ECC)
Heat Stroke
11–11:50 a.m.
Courtney Liermann, LVT, VTS (ECC)
Little Improvements in Nursing Care to Make Your Life Easier
Gig ‘Em
VENI 101 B
8–8:50 a.m.
Kat Sciba, LVT, BA
Introduction to MMVD
9–9:50 a.m.
Kat Sciba, LVT, BA
Chagas Disease
10–10:50 a.m.
Kat Sciba, LVT, BA
Introduction to ECGs
11–11:50 a.m..
Michelle Hervey, BS, LVT
Endoscopic Gastric Foreign Bodies
Howdy
VIDI 103
8–8:50 a.m.
Michelle Scheid
Soft Tissue Trust Your Gut: Navigating Colic as a Tech
9–9:50 a.m.
Topic & Speaker TBD
10–10:50 a.m.
Topic & Speaker TBD
11–11:50 a.m.
Emily Sanchez
Tiny Patients, Big Impact: Neonatal Foal Care for Veterinary Technicians
Whoop
VIDI 105
8–8:50 a.m.
Topic & Speaker TBD
9–9:50 a.m.
Topic & Speaker TBD
10–10:50 a.m.
Emily Sanchez
Transfaunation in Farm Animals for Veterinary Technicians
11–11:50 a.m.
Irina Yankina, DVM
Anesthesia and Procedural Sedation in Goats
Aggie
VENI 101 C
8–8:50 a.m.
Michelle Crothers, BS, AAS, LVT
Time Management for Busy Veterinary Leaders
9–9:50 a.m.
Michelle Crothers, BS, AAS, LVT
Understanding Financial Health in Veterinary Medicine: KPIs That Matter
10–10:50 a.m.
Stefanie Hinojosa, LVT
Leadership Topic TBD
11–11:50 a.m.
Stefanie Hinojosa, LVT
Leadership Topic TBD
Afternoon Sessions
Reveille
VENI 106 A
12–12:50 p.m.
No Session
1–1:50 p.m.
Sarah Perry, LVT, VTS (ECC)
The Goblet of Poison: A Practical Guide to Veterinary Toxicology
2–2:50 p.m.
Lilly Nelson, LVT, BS, AAS
Lines That Save Lives: CVCs, PICCs, and Drum Lines in Veterinary Patients
3–3:50 p.m.
Rebecca Piotrowski, LVT, VTS (Surgery)
Fracture FUNdamentals
4–4:50 p.m.
Rebecca Piotrowski, LVT, VTS (Surgery)
That’s a Wrap: Advanced Wound Care
12th Man
VENI 106 B
12–12:50 p.m.
Jerri Rubio, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia)
“Get It Off Your Chest, Get It Off My Desk (Table)”: Anesthetic Considerations for Thoracic Procedures
1–1:50 p.m.
No Session
2–2:50 p.m.
Jerri Rubio, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia)
“Dancing With Our (Beans) Tied”: Anesthetic Considerations for the Renal Compromised Patient
3–3:50 p.m.
Courtney Liermann, LVT, VTS (ECC)
Shock Types and Phases
4–4:50 p.m.
Courtney Liermann, LVT, VTS (ECC)
Snake Envenomations
Gig ‘Em
VENI 101 B
12–12:50 p.m.
Michelle Hervey, BS, LVT
Urinary Obstructions and Interventions
1–1:50 p.m.
No Session
2–2:50 p.m..
Marina Harrison, BS, LVT
Ears, Rears, and Airways – Oh My! – Surgical Treatments for Chronic Ear Disease
3:00–3:50 p.m.
Marina Harrison, BS, LVT
Ears, Rears, and Airways – Oh My! – Anorectal Disease in Dogs and Cats
4–4:50 p.m.
Marina Harrison, BS, LVT
Ears, Rears, and Airways – Oh My! – Upper Airway Disease
Howdy
VIDI 103
12–12:50 p.m.
No Session
1–1:50 p.m.
Topic & Speaker TBD
2–2:50 p.m.
Topic & Speaker TBD
3–3:50 p.m.
Topic & Speaker TBD
4–4:50 p.m.
Topic & Speaker TBD
Whoop
VIDI 105
12–12:50 p.m.
Irina Yankina, DVM
Anesthesia in Exotic Pets
1–1:50 p.m.
Irina Yankina, DVM
Swine Anesthesia
2–2:50 p.m.
Jennifer Perkins, LVT
From Cockatiels to Eagles: Tailoring Anesthesia to Avian Species
3–3:50 p.m.
Jennifer Perkins, LVT
Eight Legs, Endless Learning: Exploring Arachnid Medicine
4–4:50 p.m.
Alanna Sessum, LVT
Tiny Threats, Big Impact – Battling Resistance in Veterinary Medicine
Aggie
VENI 101 C
12–12:50 p.m.
Amanda Hanna, DVM
High-Quality, High-Volume Surgery: Breaking the Myths and Making It Safe
1–1:50 p.m.
Amanda Hanna, DVM
MASH-Style Spay/Neuter: Planning, Executing, and Thriving in High-Impact Field Clinics
2–2:50 p.m.
Sunny Laird, VRM
Unleashing Opportunities: Marketing & Networking Tools to Elevate Your Impact
3–3:50 p.m.
Sunny Laird, VRM
Strategic Outreach: Marketing Beyond the Exam Room
4–4:50 p.m.
David Sessum, LVT
Texas Veterinary Profession Legislative Update: How This Affects You and Your Future
Sunday, May 17
Sessions
7–8 a.m. — Registration
Reveille
VENI 106 A
8–8:50 a.m.
Jackie Medina, LVT, VTS (Neurology)(Anesthesia & Analgesia)
Untangling the Alphabet Soup: Understanding Meningitis in Veterinary Patients
9–9:50 a.m.
Jackie Medina, LVT, VTS (Neurology)(Anesthesia & Analgesia)
Intervertebral Disc Disease & Herniation: What You Need to Know
10–10:50 a.m.
Jackie Medina, LVT, VTS (Neurology)(Anesthesia & Analgesia)
Neurolocalization: Understanding What the Heck That All Means
11–11:50 a.m.
Jackie Medina, LVT, VTS (Neurology)(Anesthesia & Analgesia)
Beyond the Brain: Recognition & Management of Seizure Patients
12–12:50 p.m.
Ashley Self, MS, LVT, VTS (Nutrition)
Nutrition Topic TBD
12th Man
VENI 106 B
8–8:50 a.m.
Jaci Christensen, BAS, LVT, VTS (Oncology)
Cancer- How It Happens & How We Treat It
9–9:50 a.m.
Jaci Christensen, BAS, LVT, VTS (Oncology)
The Canine Cancer Kings
10–10:50 a.m.
Ashley Self, MS, LVT, VTS (Nutrition)
Nutrition Topic TBD
11–11:50 a.m.
Lanette Jordan, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia)
Seeing the Signs: Assessment of Acute Pain in Dogs and Cats
12–12:50 p.m.
Lanette Jordan, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia)
Managing the Moment: Acute Pain Management Options in Dogs and Cats
Gig ‘Em
VENI 101 B
8–8:50 a.m.
Elizabeth McNeil, LVT, MSc
Feline Shelter Medicine: Unique Challenges and Solutions
9–9:50 a.m.
Elizabeth McNeil, LVT, MSc
Vaccination Protocols in Shelter Settings
10–10:50 a.m.
Elizabeth McNeil, LVT, MSc
Zoonotic Diseases and Public Health in Shelters
11–11:50 a.m.
Sherri Jerzyk, CCRA, CCMT
Improving Senior Pet Care In a Primary Clinic
12–12:50 p.m.
Sherri Jerzyk, CCRA, CCMT
Rehabby Things for the Primary Vet
Howdy
VIDI 103
8–8:50 a.m.
Kayla Mowry, MS
One Horse, Multiple Modalities: A Case-Based Approach to Equine Diagnostic Imaging
9–9:50 a.m.
Kayla Mowry, MS
Equine MRI: From Preparation to Recovery and Why Each Step Matters
10–10:50 a.m.
Topic & Speaker TBD
11–11:50 a.m.
Topic & Speaker TBD
12–12:50 p.m.
Topic & Speaker TBD
Whoop
VIDI 105
8–8:50 a.m.
Topic & Speaker TBD
9–9:50 a.m.
Topic & Speaker TBD
10–10:50 a.m.
Topic & Speaker TBD
11–11:50 a.m.
Topic & Speaker TBD
12–12:50 p.m.
Topic & Speaker TBD
Aggie
VENI 101 C
8–8:50 a.m.
Elizabeth Hinton
Technician Program 1 Brick by Brick: Building Blocks for Creating Strong Teams
9–9:50 a.m.
Elizabeth Hinton
Technician Program 2 From Average to Awesome: What Makes a Great Equine Veterinary Technician
10–10:50 a.m.
Lilly Nelson, LVT, BS, AAS
Controlled Chaos: Managing and Delegating in a Busy ER
11–11:50 a.m.
Lilly Nelson, LVT, BS, AAS
From ER to ICU: How Technician Actions Impact Patient Outcomes
12–12:50 p.m.
No Session
