Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians - OAVT

12/03/2025

🚨Speaker Highlight🚨

Dr. Chris Clark, Associate Professor, WCVM University of Saskatchewan.

Chris grew up in the southern UK and attended vet school at the University of Cambridge (which was largely funded by shepherding jobs!). He completed an internship at WCVM, then spent some time in mixed animal practice in the far north of England before returning to do a residency at WCVM. He has been on faculty in Large Animal Medicine at WCVM for the last 25+ years and spent 9 years as the Associate Dean Academic. His main interests are cattle lameness, neonatal health, pharmacology and veterinary education.

Click below to register or learn more!

https://oavt.org/2026-oavt-conference/

12/01/2025

🚨Speaker Highlight!🚨

Annatasha Bartel, BSch, BVM&S, MRCVS, DACVAA

Dr. Annatasha Bartel is a board-certified veterinary anesthesiologist, having completed her residency in 2015 at Cornell University. She has worked in a variety of practice settings, including small animal general practice, emergency medicine, academic referral practice, and her current position as the Chief Medical Officer for Small Animal Medicine at King Animal Hospital, King City, Ontario.

Her specific clinical interests include anesthesia of the critical patient, Just Culture approaches in veterinary medicine, and removing inherent bias from clinical practice. Dr. Bartel is the President of the North American Veterinary Anesthesia Society, has served on the ACVAA Exam Committee and was previously a Councillor for the College of Veterinarians of Ontario.

Want to learn more about the 2026 OAVT Conference? Click the link below!

https://oavt.org/2026-oavt-conference/

12/01/2025

is launching new free resources to support pet caregivers through grief, created by the Ontario Veterinary College. The new hub combines storytelling with expert insight to help people navigate the loss of a beloved companion animal.

Learn more: https://uoguel.ph/zynnq

11/26/2025

Congratulations, Kali!!!! 🎉🎉🎉

✨ A Historic Milestone in Canadian Veterinary Medicine! ✨

We are beyond proud to congratulate Kali, who has officially become the first Canadian Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) to earn the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credential in Surgery.

For those unfamiliar with the VTS pathway, this achievement is nothing short of extraordinary. The Surgery specialty is one of the most demanding tracks in the profession. It requires thousands of documented advanced clinical hours, detailed case logs, extensive surgical nursing skills, letters of recommendation, CE requirements, and finally, the gruelling submission of a comprehensive application portfolio… all before sitting for an exhaustive board examination. It takes immense discipline, sacrifice, and resilience to get through it. Few start the journey; fewer make it to the finish line. Her accomplishment is a testament to her work ethic, her brain, her heart, and her deep commitment to elevating patient care.

Kali’s journey with us began in 2012 as a kennel attendant. Through determination and an unwavering drive to grow, she rose to become our Surgical Coordinator, completing her AAS and RVT degrees along the way.

She then went on to earn her CCAT certification from North Carolina State University in 2023, expanding her ability to provide advanced rehabilitation and physiotherapy for our patients. She is currently pursuing her B.Sc. in Veterinary Technology through the University of Missouri, because for Kali, the learning never stops.

Her passion for advancing veterinary medicine extends beyond our hospital. She is also a researcher with multiple publications, regularly writes CE articles for The RVT Journal, and supports the development of emerging RVTs as a preceptor for the AAHA Distance Education Program.

Kali’s accomplishment represents a major milestone not just for our hospital, but for RVTs across Canada. Please join us in celebrating the first Canadian RVT to achieve this elite credential—and the incredible determination it took to get here.

11/25/2025

🚨Speaker Highlight!🚨

Angie Arora, MSW, RSW, is a regular fixture at the OAVT Conference, offering practical advice to help RVTs thrive in the challenging world of vet med.

Angie is the founder of Arora Wellness, where she helps animal care organizations and professionals improve professional wellbeing. As a Veterinary Social Worker and Certified Compassion Fatigue Specialist, she provides trauma-informed therapeutic coaching, training, and courses to veterinary hospitals, animal shelters, and wildlife and conservation organizations working in high-stress, trauma-exposed environments.

Angie is a member of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s Professional Wellness Committee and serves as faculty with blendVET, the first DEIB certification program for veterinary professionals. She previously sat on the inaugural Board of Directors for the International Association of Veterinary Social Work and was Governance Chair for the Canadian Collective for Equity in Veterinary Medicine.

To learn more about the sessions planned for the 2026 OAVT Conference, or to register, click below!

https://oavt.org/2026-oavt-conference/

11/21/2025

🚨Changes are coming to our annual Wage and Compensation Survey🚨

As your member association, we know you look forward to receiving yearly results related to pay and other compensation for the RVT profession.

After several years of compiling data to the best of our ability, we’re joining forces with the British Columbia Veterinary Technologists Association to work with research consultants, Finley & Associates, who will provide a more comprehensive collection and analysis of member feedback.

While they’ll be compiling data about the profession in general, they’ll also be asking questions specific to our members.

They’re aiming to distribute the survey to members by the end of February/beginning of March, and we hope you’ll consider participating.

More details will be shared with you closer to that time.

11/19/2025

🚨Register now for the 2026 OAVT Conference!🚨

You'll have the opportunity to update your knowledge with amazing speakers like Andrea Steele, MSc, RVT, VTS(ECC).

Andrea is Chair of Animal Care Programs at Conestoga College in Kitchener, Ontario, where she leads the development of new Veterinary Technology, Veterinary Assistant, and Pet Grooming programs.

An experienced lecturer, author, and editor, Andrea has contributed to multiple textbooks and regularly speaks at conferences across North America, as well as internationally in Australia and the UK.

https://site.pheedloop.com/event/OAVTconf2026/register

11/18/2025

There's still time to nominate yourself or another RVT to join our Board of Directors.

As a director, you’ll help set the priorities of the Association, all while getting CE credits, getting your dues and Conference pass covered, and gaining leadership and governance experience that will make your resume stand out!

Fill out a nomination form before the December 31 deadline and be the one to create a bright future for the OAVT!

Click below to fill out the nomination form.

https://oavt.org/2026-board-of-directors-nomination-form/

11/17/2025

Congratulations to Sydney Bender, winner of the CleverOrcaVT VIP Package Giveaway!

Preparing for the VTNE? Learn test-taking strategies to help you ace the exam with CleverOrca! Click the link below to learn more!

https://www.cleverorcavt.com/

11/12/2025

🚨Register NOW for the 2026 OAVT Conference!🚨

We have over 25 topic experts and more than 10 CE tracks, so you're sure to find something that sparks your curiosity.

Today, we're highlighting Alison Weller, RVT, VTS-LAM, RMLAT, ACT, ZAT. She's back this year to talk about "Scrapie: The Silent Scourge of Small Ruminants."

Alison is a seasoned professional in animal science with over 25 years of experience spanning clinical care, regulatory oversight, and education. As an RVT and VTS-LAM, with certifications including RMLAT, ACT, and ZAT, her expertise covers the full continuum of animal health—from hands-on care to compliance and instruction.

Click below to learn more and register!

https://oavt.org/2026-oavt-conference

11/11/2025

🚨Speaker and session details are OUT for the 2026 OAVT Conference! 🚨

Register today for Canada's largest conference for Registered Veterinary Technicians.

There are over 25 speakers and you could earn up to 10 hours of CE credit.

New this year, we're at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North!

Click here to learn more and register:

https://oavt.org/2026-oavt-conference/

11/11/2025

Today, we pause in quiet remembrance of those who served, those who continue to serve, and the animals who shared in their sacrifice—lest we forget.