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

VTNE Results

Fireside Chat with Andy MacCabe, Global Vice President for Healthcare Education, Mars Veterinary Health
10:30 AM  Break | Visit Exhibitors 
10:45 AM - Breakout Sessions 
 Room 1
 Writing for JAVTE - Learning How and Getting Started  

Oreta Samples, BS, MPH, DHSc, FVTE, SUNY Delhi (Retired)
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
 TBD 
11:45 AM

Lunch | SCNAVTA Awards sponsored by NAVTA 

Regulatory Considerations of the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Veterinary Medicine
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
Jamie Rauscher, LVT, National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) 
 Room 2
 Preparing Veterinary Technicians for Ethical Decision-Making: Lessons from Lived Experiences in Practice

Oriana Gradeles-Scislowicz, LVT, CPTD, PMP, MHRM, University of North Texas 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:
Human-Animal Interactions
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.