Personal/Professional Development

Ken has spent nearly 20 years in practice. He obtained his VTS certification in emergency and critical care, as well as small animal internal medicine, and earned his master’s degree in Veterinary Science. He served as ICU Manager and Blood Bank Manager at Adobe Animal Hospital until 2018, and is now Program Director for the RECOVER CPR Initiative and simulation lab manager of the Park Veterinary Innovation Laboratory at Cornell University. He co-chairs the Veterinary Nurse Initiative and serves as a board member of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society, the Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians, and the Veterinary Innovation Council.

Benita is a licensed veterinary technician as well as a veterinary technician specialist in dentistry. She began her career in veterinary technology in 1988 and has worked in small animal general medicine, ophthalmology, equine and llama neonatal care, canine reproduction, and dentistry. Benita is the current president-elect for the Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians and the secretary for the Washington State Association of Veterinary Technicians. She has co-authored 2 textbooks on veterinary dentistry for veterinary nurses as well as published several articles in professional journals. Through her business, Pawsitive Dental Education LLC, she has provided professional dental instruction and consultation to veterinary hospitals and conferences across the United States, Canada, and China since 2008. Giving back to the profession and helping veterinary nurses grow their careers in ways they never thought were possible is something she is very passionate about.

Carolyn has an insider’s perspective from more than 20 years in the veterinary profession as a CVT, practice manager, HR director, HR partner, and HR consultant. Carolyn’s deep understanding of veterinary team dynamics is the foundation for Starpath Consulting LLC, which provides veterinary-focused HR support. Carolyn is a Colorado native, and is grateful for the blue skies, Rocky Mountain views, and sunshine. She lives in southwest Denver with her family and 3 dogs. Carolyn is passionate about veterinary practice culture and empowering hospital teams. She offers résumé review and individual coaching services; see details at starpathconsulting.com.

Kara Burns is an LVT with master’s degrees in physiology and counseling psychology. She began her career in human medicine working as an emergency psychologist and a poison specialist for humans and animals. Kara is the founder and president of the Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians and has attained her VTS (Nutrition). She is the editor in chief of Today’s Veterinary Nurse. She also works as an independent nutritional consultant, and is the immediate past president of NAVTA. She has authored many articles, textbooks, and textbook chapters and is an internationally invited speaker, focusing on topics of nutrition, leadership, and technician utilization.

Ed is the director of technician learning and development for Ethos Veterinary Health and VetBloom. He is also the 2020 president of the Massachusetts Veterinary Technician Association and the treasurer of the New Hampshire Veterinary Technician Association. Ed has served on multiple NAVTA committees and is the 2020 NAVTA president-elect. He obtained his VTS (Nutrition) in 2014 and lectures frequently at local, regional, and national veterinary conferences on a variety of nutrition topics. Ed was also the recipient of the NAVTA 2019 Technician of the Year award.

Valarie Adams is a CVT with over 40 years working in veterinary medicine. Graduating from the Medical Institute of Minnesota in 1973 puts her in the “aged but still useful” class. Throughout her career in veterinary medicine she has worked with large and small animal, emergency and critical care, and delivering in-home veterinary hospice and palliative care. Valarie has lectured on end-of-life topics nationally as well as written and co-written for textbooks on pet hospice and facilitated pet loss support groups. She fills her soul with her horses, as well as volunteering on a Native American reservation and gathering with free-spirited, wise women. You can also find Valarie at confidesinanimals.com.

Caitlin is a military spouse of 6 years to an active duty Marine and currently stationed with her husband in Okinawa, Japan. She graduated with her AAS degree in veterinary technology in 2018 and has recently graduated with her BAS in veterinary nursing. She now serves as a member of the Red Cross in the prefecture of Okinawa where she provides veterinary aid during natural disasters, such as seasonal typhoons. Caitlin is also pursuing a master’s degree in veterinary medical sciences online at the University of Florida.

Robyn began her career as a kennel assistant at a local veterinary hospital in 1992.She became a certified veterinary technician in 2004. Her career has led her from working in a general practice to managing an ER/ICU in a large specialty hospital. She is currently managing a general practice in Everett, Massachusetts. She currently lives with her 3 dogs, Emme, Merry, and foster failure Bindi; 2 cats, Finn and Griffin; and lovebird, Luigi. Robyn continues to foster whatever animals come her way. Her latest foster was a house sparrow named Lucky.

Nicola works as the Head Medical Nurse at Plymouth Veterinary Group. She has written for many veterinary publications and textbooks and is the editor of Aspinall’s Complete Textbook of Veterinary Nursing. Nicola has won the British Veterinary Nursing Association/Blue Cross award for animal welfare, the Suitably Qualified Person (SQP) Veterinary Nurse of the Year award, and the SQP Nutritional Advisor of the Year award. She is currently studying for a master’s degree in advanced veterinary nursing with Glasgow University. 

Sarah Rumple is an award-winning writer and editor who has been covering veterinary topics since 2011 after earning a degree in communication from the University of Colorado. She owns Rumpus Writing and Editing, a Denver-based copywriting agency, and believes that if you don’t ask for what you want, you’ll never get it.