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)
Techin’ 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.
Sherri Jerzyk, CCRA, CCMT
Improving Senior Pet Care In a Primary Clinic
9–9:50 a.m.
Sherri Jerzyk, CCRA, CCMT
Rehabby Things for the Primary Vet
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.
Jeanette Bayer
Preparing the Anesthetized Equine Patient For Recovery
10–10:50 a.m.
Lisa Jolley
Equine Breeding Soundness
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.
Erica Kubichek
Don’t Touch My Willie – Blocked Goats
9–9:50 a.m.
Lisa Jolley
Food Animal Breeding Soundness
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.
No Session
9–9:50 a.m.
No Session
10–10:50 a.m.
Jeanette Bayer
Counting to 100: A Guide to Inventory Management
11–11:50 a.m.
Heidi Gaddis
The Magic of Customer Service in Veterinary Medicine
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.
Lisa Jolley
Equine Ultrasonography
2–2:50 p.m.
Audrey Janke, BS, MS
Becoming a photographer: How the generator works & gaining perspective
3–3:50 p.m.
Audrey Janke, BS, MS
Snapshot: An intro to equine limb radiology
4–4:50 p.m.
Audrey Janke, BS, MS
The bigger picture: Equine thorax, abdomen, pelvis, spine, and skull
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.
No Session
1–1:50 p.m.
No Session
2–2:50 p.m.
Stephanie Heath
Micro-moments of Yoga for the Veterinary Nervous System
3–3:50 p.m.
Bethany Weinheimer, DVM
Beating Burnout
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)
Fueling the Furry: Calories, Conditions, and Customized Diets for Every Patient
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)
I’m Not Fat, I’m Just A Little Husky; Vet Tech led weight loss
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.
Christina Gentry, DVM, DACVD
Introduction to Dermatology: Terminology and Diagnostic Tests
12–12:50 p.m.
Christina Gentry, DVM, DACVD
Ear and Skin Cytology: High Value Diagnostic Tests
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.
Beth Bernardo
Large Animal Technical Rescue for Technicians
11–11:50 a.m.
No Session
12–12:50 p.m.
Michelle Scheid Negative Pressure, Positive Outcomes: Wound Vac Application in Equine Patients
Whoop
VIDI 105
8–8:50 a.m.
Beth Bernardo
The Veterinary Technician’s Role in Disaster
9–9:50 a.m.
No Session
10–10:50 a.m.
Alice Blue-McLendon, DVM
Wildlife & Exotic Animal Regulations, Policies and Ethics
11–11:50 a.m.
Alice Blue-McLendon, DVM
Exotic Animal Habitat- Housing Matters!
12–12:50 p.m.
No Session
Aggie
VENI 101 C
8–8:50 a.m.
Caitlin Amox
Only Hooves: Foot Trimming and Maintenance.
9–9:50 a.m.
Brecca-Jo Wheaton
Leadership in the trenches: building trust, consistency, and excellence in a high-pressure equine hospital.
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
