SWVS General Membership Meeting ~ 9/24/22 ~ 12:30p   Meeting called to order: 12:32p Request for treasurer report $1014 in budget Request to get with Larissa in order to reach out to CVA schools for membership TVMA to create CVA membership (~1 yr away) See above- to be in competition with TVMA, so get ahead of the curve now Voting on the by-laws, previously sent to membership.  Motion to approve KS Second Cindy Dittmar No opposed Motion passed Meeting concluded, floor opened to questions and discussion   Discussion: Question: how to increase LVT membership to TVMA? Only 10% of total numbers in participation Willing to help with this in advertising Idea: utilize Instagram, snapchat, TikTok to reach this newer generation (?) VTAT does have an Instagram, just under-utilized Working to correct Other member- seems to be more ad driven rather than information driven Utilize this? Send out poll with membership to see which platform is most utilized, in order to get information out best Issue: trying to reach out to the people that are non-members Member idea: get kids to have “contest” for best Instagram or TikTok video They know what this gen likes/ what appeals to their peers Reward with t-shirt or amazon gift card Once have bigger membership or opportunity to utilize social media personnel Suggestion to re-open task force and invite all areas (DVM, LVT, CVA, etc.) TVMA creating task force for defining scope of practice for LVT and CVA, as well as title protection for LVT Re-check and re-open to continue getting feedback and editing Request from members to receive copy of what task force came up with Will send via email and post on the website so it is accessible In person meetings at schools (CVA programs, LVT schools, etc) suggested, in order to reach out and let people know we/TVMA exists and why to be a member Suggested that our board records personal, short video to be showcased at schools talking about VTAT What is VTAT mission statement? What will push members to join? VTAT was instrumental in getting LVT representation in TVMA and TBVME As a licensed/certified professional, you would not have a voice w/o VTAT There is value in education and Leadership and having a voice matters Being in contact with others and working with like-minded individuals has value Mission statement: To represent and advance all veterinary staff through education, public awareness, legislative action, and membership development by collaboratively working with other veterinary professional organizations, working toward one common goal: the enhancement of veterinary medicine. Feb 1 is veterinary legislative day Open to TVMA members Critical for our profession Be involved! Suggestion for zoom membership general meeting monthly or quarterly   Meeting adjourned 1:25 pm

Board Member Nominations
Sarah Perry - Nominated for Treasurer 
Personal history: 
From an early age – veterinary medicine was everything to me.   My mother is an LVT (originally RVT) and CVPM who hauled me with her at 3 weeks old when she returned to the equine practice where she was employed at the time.  During her time in sales, I got to attend many conferences and trade shows and tag along for some product demonstrations, the most memorable allowing me to visit up close and personal with the giraffes at the Houston Zoo and another riding hunter-jumper horses in North Carolina.  After spending my first year of undergraduate at CSU in Fort Collins, I returned to Texas and enrolled at Blinn College, and I was lucky enough to land a job in the small animal surgery department at Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.  After graduation from TAMU with a bachelor’s in animal science, I transitioned to a full-time position with the orthopedic department and managed multiple clinical trials while continuing my education through Dallas College Distance Education Veterinary Technician Program.  This led me to the ER department, where I was eager to apply what I was learning and pick up new skills (and found my passion for E/CC).  I obtained my LVT status in 2019 and moved to the TAMU intensive care unit in January 2020 then ultimately to the critical care department in July 2021 where I also currently manage our blood donor program, teach veterinary students and am pursuing my VTS in E/CC. 
Reason for running for office:
I am passionate about the veterinary industry, specifically helping technicians and assistants learn and grow and find their own passion.  I believe that as a member of VTAT I can be a great conduit between the Association and the veterinary students who will be imminently joining the workforce.  I will be able to lend my own voice and help amplify the voices of others within our profession in this dynamic political landscape that we are in regarding title protection and scope of practice.  I believe that in order to offer the very best services and care for our patients and their owners, the public must be made aware of the educational qualifications of the various types of personnel in the veterinary profession who are caring for their pets. 

Christine Hoskinson - Nominated for President Elect

A little about me, I am originally from NY and have been in Texas for 8 years now and plan on staying. I am interested in a position within VTAT as I believe it is important to be active within your profession. A state paraprofessional organization can have a big impact on the future of the profession and should offer it’s members opportunities for further learning and networking. My experience as part of many different professional organizations and committees will be helpful to grow and improve the status of the organization within the state and among peers.
-Christine Hoskinson

Veterinary Team Association of Texas (VTAT) Historical Fact
 Our very own past board members, David Sessum, LVT and Sandra Nunn, were instrumental in helping pass HB2471 which made the 3rd full week in October veterinary technician week in the state of Texas! 

Happy National Veterinary Technician Week!

History: Patient had been inseminated in Austin three days in a row (no specific date given) with another vet for her first pregnancy. Due to the fact that they were uncertain if she was ovulating it was unclear how far along she was. On November 30, 2016 owners brought patient in for pregnancy confirmation and cesarean consult.                      
              Plan:

              Physical Examination:

Assessment/ Diagnosis:

Postop:

Treatment:

Note:

               This was a very exciting procedure for me to be a part of since it was my c-section that was able to watch and assist with. It was nice to see how everyone worked together to care for the mother and the puppies. It was also eye opening to see how real practice has similarities and differences from what we learned in class. I was able to restrain the patient and be one of the circulating nurses in surgery including running for supplies and monitoring intraoperatively. I was also the one that got to continue to monitor the mom and pups the rest of my shift. Two nights later one of the puppies was brought back as emergency for not breathing. By the time they arrived the puppy was already deceased. There were no signs of trauma or congenital issues. It is believed that maybe the mother had laid on the puppy, but the owner did not witness anything to confirm.

 
 

*Applications due 08/31/2022

Our Mission:
To represent and advance all veterinary staff through education, public awareness, legislative action, and membership development by collaboratively working with other veterinary professional organizations, working toward one common goal: the enhancement of veterinary medicine.