Practice Management

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.

Mandy has over 17 years of experience as a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT). She obtained her certification as a Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Canine/Feline Clinical Practice in 2011 and is a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner (CVPP). She obtained a master’s degree in veterinary biomedical science in 2018 through the University of Missouri. She is employed by Comanche Trail Veterinary Center in Liberty Hill, Texas, as the veterinary nursing supervisor. Her primary interest is internal medicine, with endocrinology as her passion, and is an active advocate for the advancement of the veterinary nurse profession.

Esther Klok, a veterinary technician at Dierenkliniek Winsum in the Netherlands, previously described her passion for bringing new ideas from the NAVC Conference home to her clinic in 3 articles in 2016 (available on TodaysVeterinaryTechnician.com). In this article, she outlines how her clinic designed a program that not only helps dogs with noise anxiety, but also improves the human–animal bond and has even increased community awareness of how noises affect animals.

Sarah Dawson started work in veterinary practice in 2005 and at present is the Head Nurse and Cat Advocate for Walton Vale Vets4Pets in Liverpool, UK. She recently completed the ISFM Certificate in Feline Friendly Nursing with Distinction. Sarah was integral in implementing the Cat Friendly Clinic scheme in her practice, which was awarded silver, and she is working hard to change this to gold.

Heather has spent over 25 years in small animal practice, teaches veterinary technology and assistance programs, and is the author of Front Office Management for the Veterinary Team. She lectures on topics ranging from grief management for health care professionals to nutrition, inventory, communications, and veterinary team management. She has also written several articles and participated in published roundtable discussions on these topics.

Currently, Heather provides consulting services for veterinary hospitals and is an instructor for Patterson Veterinary University and VetMedTeam. She serves on several advisory committees and is the Program Chair of the Technician Program at the North American Veterinary Conference. Heather was named the 2014 Veterinary Technician of the Year and Continuing Educator of the Year for 2016 at the Western Veterinary Conference.

Esther Klok, a veterinary technician at Dierenkliniek Winsum in the Netherlands, previously described her passion for bringing new ideas from the NAVC Conference home to her clinic in 3 articles in 2016 (available on TodaysVeterinaryTechnician.com). In this article, she outlines how her clinic designed a program that not only helps dogs with noise anxiety, but also improves the human–animal bond and has even increased community awareness of how noises affect animals.

Harold is a veterinary practice educational consultant and former manager of the emergency and critical care service at the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. He is a co-founder of the Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians, a charter member of the Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Anesthesia and Analgesia, and the past president of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society. He currently serves as President-elect on the Board of Directors for the NAVC. In addition, he is a Member-at-Large of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America. He has spoken at events in 12 countries and has published several book chapters and journal articles.

Heather is the supervising technician at BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Gilbert, Arizona. She is a frequent lecturer at state and national veterinary conferences and is the author of several articles on nutrition, patient care, and management of diabetes.

Sandy is a veterinary practice management consultant, instructor, speaker, and advisor with over 35 years of experience in the veterinary field. She is dedicated to improving hospital operations through coaching and sharing appropriate practice management techniques to the whole team. Sandy still works in a small animal practice and is an active member of the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association, NAVTA, VetPartners, Sacramento Valley Veterinary Practice Managers Association, Sacramento Valley Veterinary Technician Association, and the CVMA. She is an instructor for Patterson Veterinary University and a former hospital inspector for the California Veterinary Medical Board.

Jennifer grew up on a dairy farm in Western New York, where she quickly learned that she loved to take care of animals. In SUNY Delhi’s Veterinary Science Technology program, she discovered that she not only enjoyed being part of a nursing team, but also had a knack for leading one. Since that time, she has taken on many leadership roles in veterinary medicine.

Jennifer and her husband are owned by an Australian shepherd, Roo; a Boston terrier, Zoom; two cats, Stinger and Chewy; and a “very boisterous” guinea pig, Miss Piggy. They are both active in the Larimer County 4H program, especially with meat quality assurance and dairy cattle projects, and attend numerous continuing education meetings for veterinary medicine.

Jennifer grew up on a dairy farm in Western New York, where she quickly learned that she loved to take care of animals. In SUNY Delhi’s Veterinary Science Technology program, she discovered that she not only enjoyed being part of a nursing team, but also had a knack for leading one. Since that time, she has taken on many leadership roles in veterinary medicine.

Jennifer and her husband are owned by an Australian shepherd, Roo; a Boston terrier, Zoom; two cats, Stinger and Chewy; and a “very boisterous” guinea pig, Miss Piggy. They are both active in the Larimer County 4H program, especially with meat quality assurance and dairy cattle projects, and attend numerous continuing education meetings for veterinary medicine.