Editor-in-Chief
Kara M. Burns
MS, MEd, LVT, VTS (Nutrition), VTS-H (Internal Medicine, Dentistry)
Kara Burns is a licensed veterinary technician with a master’s degree in physiology and a master’s degree in counseling psychology. She began her career in human medicine working as an emergency psychologist before attaining her veterinary technician license and worked in small animal and avian practices.
Kara is the Founder and Past President of the Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians. She teaches nutrition courses around the world and is an independent nutritional consultant as well as a well-being consultant. Kara is the Editor in Chief of Today’s Veterinary Nurse.
She is a member of many national, international, and state associations and holds positions on many boards in the profession: American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition executive board; NAVTA Past President; Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics board member; Collaborative Care Coalition executive board; and the Pet Nutrition Alliance President, to name a few.
She has authored many articles, textbooks, and textbook chapters and is an internationally invited speaker, focusing on topics of nutrition, leadership, and technician utilization. Kara and her wife Dr. Ellen Lowery developed the Pet Nutrition Coach Certification course through NAVC.
Ms. Burns has been featured on the cover of the Veterinary Technician Journal and the NAVTA Journal and most recently has been featured in PetVet Magazine. She was named the North American Veterinary Conference Technician Speaker of the Year in 2013 and in 2016. She was granted an honorary VTS (Internal Medicine) in 2011. She was also granted an honorary VTS (Dentistry) in 2012. She is the 2010 NAVTA Veterinary Technician of the Year, as well as the 2011 Dr. Franklin Loew Lecturer. Kara’s pet family includes Molly, a tiny French Bulldog; Brees, an aussie/border collie cross; three indoor cats (Oreo, O’Malley, and Ollie), 6 lovebirds, a Meyer’s parrot, and a guinea pig named Nugget!
Editor Emeritus
Lynne Johnson-Harris
RVT
Ms. Johnson-Harris has been involved with the NAVC as a speaker and moderator since 1990. She was the first veterinary technician to serve as an elected Board member of the NAVC, serving the Board from 2003 to 2015. Ms Johnson-Harris was also the first veterinary technician to serve as the President of the NAVC (2013-2014).
Along with being the Editor in Chief of the Today’s Veterinary Nurse journal, Ms. Johnson-Harris is the NAVC Specialty Programs manager and the practice manager at Hinckley Animal Hospital.
Editorial Advisory Board
Jessica Bowditch
RVT, CCRP, VTS (Physical Rehabilitation)
Purdue University Veterinary Hospital
West Lafayette, Ind.
Jessica performs clinical case work and teaches fundamentals of physical rehabilitation to veterinary nursing students at Purdue University. In 2013, she received her Associate of Science degree in Veterinary Technology from Baker College in Jackson, Michigan. In 2015, she began working in the physical rehabilitation department at Purdue University as a registered veterinary technician. In 2017, she received her certification in canine rehabilitation from the University of Tennessee, and in 2020, she received her veterinary technician specialty (VTS) in physical rehabilitation.
Jessica has published articles and speaks at conferences focusing on physical rehabilitation topics. She hopes to continue doing this throughout her career.
In her spare time, you can find Jessica at home with her husband and two Australian Shepherds, crafting, reading, or enjoying time with friends and family.
Heather Sidari
RVT, VTS (Anesthesia and Analgesia)
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, N.C.
Heather graduated in 2006 with an AAS in Veterinary Medical Technology from Central Carolina Community College. She obtained her VTS in Anesthesia and Analgesia in 2014 while working at the North Carolina State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Currently, Heather is the supervisor of the anesthesia department as well as the the ICU supervisor at NC State University in Raleigh, NC. She is working to obtain her VTS in Emergency and Critical Care, as well as a business administration degree with the goal of pursuing continued leadership in veterinary medicine. Heather is Fear Free Certified, a Recover Rescuer, and is a Healing Touch for Animals Level 2 Practitioner.
Brooke Quesnell
BS, CVT, VTS (IM-Oncology)
WestVet Emergency and Specialty Center
Garden City, Idaho
Brooke Quesnell obtained her CVT in 2009 after graduating from the College of Southern Idaho with her associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology. She began working in the ER/ICU at WestVet Emergency and Specialty center. After 5 years she moved into the oncology department. Brooke successfully passed her board exam for her Veterinary Technician Specialist certification in oncology in 2017. She began her term as the oncology director at large for the AIMVT in 2017. She also became the Veterinary Cancer Society technician liaison in 2018. Brooke found a love for teaching CE in early 2013 and has progressed to speaking at national conferences. Her favorite topics include all things oncology, specifically electrochemotherapy and oncology emergencies, and cannabis therapy in veterinary medicine. Outside of work she enjoys dirt biking and spending time with her Great Pyrenees, Vash, and Pitbull, Sissie.
Erin Spencer
MEd, CVT, VTS (ECC)
Brown Dog Veterinary Solutions, LLC
Derry, N.H.
Erin is a Certified Veterinary Technician with over 20 years’ experience working in a variety of settings and roles. Emergency medicine, field medicine, and teaching have been the main focuses of Erin’s career. Her work has included a variety of clinical and management roles in large specialty hospitals, leading teams for teaching field clinics on reservations throughout the western states, lecturing nationally, and founding her own consulting and training company. Erin is also heavily involved in the veterinary community having served as president of both her state veterinary technology association and NAVTA and as a board or advisory board member for several other organizations.
Courtney Waxman
MS, CVT, RVT, VTS (ECC)
Veterinary Nurse Consulting, LCC
Green Cove Springs, Florida
Courtney has spent over 15 years working in emergency and critical care medicine. Her areas of special interest include CPR, one-on-one case management, critical care nursing, and critical thinking. Her work has included a variety of leadership and management roles in the clinical setting as well as educational roles in academia and through her own consulting and training company. In 2019, Courtney was named New Educator of the Year by the Association of Veterinary Technician Educators. In 2020, she completed her MS in Higher Education. In addition to Today’s Veterinary Nurse, she is involved in the veterinary community by serving on the Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians and Nurses (AVECCTN) Executive Board, is an advisory board member for several AVMA-accredited programs, and is the NAVTA representative for several organizations.
Sherrie Yuschak
RVT, VTS (Behavior), KPA-CTP
Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Behavior and Training
Lillington, N.C.
Sherrie is a faculty member of the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Behavior and Training. She was employed by the NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine Behavioral Medicine Service for 5 years where she assisted with cases; provided behavior modification sessions; educated vet students, staff, and clients; and contributed to a behavioral research team. 12 years as a general practice technician served as a foundation and spurred her behavior passion. Sherrie is a Fear Free Certified℠ Professional, has collaborated on several Fear Free℠ educational modules and certification standards, and is a member of their speaker bureau. Passionate about continuing education, Sherrie frequently attends events, lectures at conferences, writes articles for publication, and teaches hands-on skills to veterinary professionals.