2026 Annual Conference Saturday Agenda

Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday
Conference Home

*The exhibit hall will be open from 7:00 AM - 3:45 PM

 Saturday, August 1st
6:15 AM Yoga 
7:00 AM Breakfast | Visit Exhibitors  
8:00 AM

Welcome

Flash Mentoring by MentorVet supported by Chewy
Mariel Hendricks, MVEd, RVTg, FVTE, MentorVet

Business Meeting and AVTE Awards 
8:45 AM


Fireside Chat with Andrew T. Maccabe, DVM, MPH, JD, Global VP, Medical Education and Academic Affairs, Mars Veterinary Health
10:30 AM  Break | Visit Exhibitors 
10:45 AM - Breakout Sessions 
 Room 1
 Writing for JAVTE - Learning How and Getting Started  

Amanda Hackerott, MS, RVT, Wichita State University
Room 2
 Integrating Simulation and Technology for Real-World Readiness 
Nick Raimondi, MPH, CVT, New England Institute of Started  
Room 3
 Bridging Classroom & Clinic: How Curriculum Works on the Clinic Floor

Elizabeth Stark, CVT, BA, FVTE, VetRaft Solutions LLCD
11:45 AM

Lunch | SCNAVTA Awards sponsored by NAVTA 

Regulatory Considerations of the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Veterinary Medicine
White Paper
Beth Venit, VMD, MPH, DACVPM, Chief Veterinary Officer, American Association of Veterinary State Boards
1:00 PM - Breakout Sessions
 Room 1
 Preparing students to cope within our profession - How to balance their own mental health & wellness 
Anna Santos, MPH, LVT, The University of Georgia 
Jennifer Serling, FVTE, CVT, MVEd, RVT, AAS, Appalachian State University
 Room 2
 Preparing Veterinary Technicians for Ethical Decision-Making: Lessons from Lived Experiences in Practice

Oriana Gradeles-Scislowicz, LVT, CPTD, PMP, MHRM, Northern Illinois University and Patterson Companies
Room 3
 Multimodal Minds in Clinical Learning
Mariel Hendricks, RVTg, MVEd, FVTE, MentorVet

Elizabeth Stark, CVT, BA, FVTE, VetRaft Solutions LLC
2:15 PM Break | Visit Exhibitors 
2:30 PM - Breakout Sessions
 Room 1
 Radical Ideas for Improving student engagement: Changing up testing and leveraging student input on course policies

Dennis K. Lopez, M.Ed., LVT, FVTE
Room 2
 Building the Bridge: How Competency-Based Education Creates a Shared Path from Classroom to Clinic

Yvonne Brandenburg, CVT, RVT, VTS (IM-SA), Ethos Veterinary Health
Room 3

Hands-Free Radiology: Teaching Safety, Sustainability, and Real-World Practice in Veterinary Technology Programs
Carolyn Spivock, RVT, VCA 
Mandy Zachgo, LVT, MVEd, FVTE, VCA 
3:30 PM  Break | Visit Exhibitors  
3:45 PM - Breakout Sessions 

Room 1

Inclusive by Design: Supporting Neurodivergent Learners Through Thoughtful Content 
Kristin Freitas, BS, RVT, VTS(ECC), Ethos Veterinary Health

Room 2:
FELLOWS ONLY

 Pet Food Decoded: Making Sense of Pet Food Labels  

Vicky Ograin, MBA, RVT, FVTE, VTS (Nutrition), Hill's Pet Nutrition 
Room 3

Helping Students Score Higher Under Pressure: Reducing Mistakes and Fighting Anxiety
Claire Jeong, RDH, MS, CleverOrca
6:30 PM

Evening Reception sponsored by PetDesk

Featured Presentation:
The Human-Animal Bond and the Impact on Veterinary Technician Education 
Rustin Moore, DVM, PhD Diplomate ACVS
Dean, Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine 




*Agenda Subject to Change

Please note:
*All times listed in local time.