AVTE Professional Awards

The AVTE awards honor individuals and programs who have demonstrated excellence over the past year. They are intended to recognize the varied ways that a significant impact can be made on the veterinary technician education field. Please click the Award name above to learn more about each AVTE award and its eligibility requirements. 

 Congratulations to the 2026 AVTE Professional Award winners:

• Dennis Lopez, M.Ed., B.S., AAS, LVT, FVTE 
  AVTE President’s Award for Lifetime Achievement sponsored by Rarebreed Veterinary Partners
• Hayley Pritchard - Southern Union State Community College
  AVTE Program Director of the Year
• Metropolitan Community College - Maple Woods Veterinary Technology Program 
  AVTE Program of the Year
• Dr. Héctor L. Osuna León, LVTg, MBA, MS, EdD - Universidad Ana G. Méndez 
  Margi Sirois Veterinary Technician Educator of the Year
• Megan Branham, DVM, M.Ed. - St. Petersburg College 
  AVTE Innovation in Teaching Award
• Meagan Renwick, RVT - VCA Canada Frontier Animal Hospital  
  AVTE Clinical Externship Excellence Award

• Laura Lien, MS, CVT, VTS (LAIM)
  AVTE President’s Award for Lifetime Achievement sponsored by Rarebreed Veterinary Partners
• Marisa Dobiash, LVT - Pima Medical Institute
  AVTE Program Director of the Year
• Morehead State University Veterinary Technology Program
  AVTE Program of the Year
• Stephanie Brown,  FVTE, LVT - Tri-County Technical College
  Margi Sirois Veterinary Technician Educator of the Year
• Amanda Hagan, RVT - Midwest Institute
  AVTE Innovation in Teaching Award
• Apple Valley Vet Partners - Dakota County Technical College
  AVTE Clinical Externship Excellence Award

• Tammy LaBar - Baker College of Muskegon
  AVTE Teaching Excellence Award
• Angela MacFarlane, DVM - Lone Star College - Tomball
  AVTE Program Director of the Year
• Blinn College Veterinary Technology Program
  AVTE Program of the Year
• Animal Emergency Care - Bellingham, WA
  AVTE Clinical Externship Excellence Award
  
• Denise Savel - Gateway Technical College
  Margi Sirois Veterinary Technician Educator of the Year

2023 AVTE Professional Award winners:

• Jessica Leary, Midwest Institute
  AVTE Teaching Excellence Award
  

• Taylor Epp, Michigan State University
  AVTE Program Director of the Year

• Karina Taylor, Collin College
  Margi Sirois Veterinary Technician Educator of the Year (open to RVT/CVT/LVT only)

2022 AVTE Professional Award winners:

• Julie McMahon - Truckee Meadows Community College
  Margi Sirois Veterinary Technician Educator of the Year
  
  
• Sarah Mackie - PIMA Community College
  Teaching Excellence 
  
  
• St. Petersburg College of Veterinary Technology
  Program of the Year 
  
  
• Elsie Velzaquez - Baker College of Owosso
  Program Director of the Year
  
  
• Gina Fallish - Thrive Pet Healthcare
  Clinical Externship Excellence

Thank you for your involvement in the awards process. With your help, AVTE can honor those whose work is improving our community and our field.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact Michele Von Deak at [email protected].