Kendra the Vet Tech

Kendra talks with Jenn Serling (MVEd, RVT, CVT, BVSc) about current issues concerning education in veterinary technology. Starting with chatting about her home state of Arizona currently trying to do away with the education requirement for certification. Then, moving on to thoughts on the new Veterinary Professional Associate program and what the outlook seems to be for credentialed veterinary tec...

Kendra chats with Brandie Johnson, RVT, LVT, about her journey through veterinary medicine. After application to obtain the credentials VTS (ECC) Brandie received rejection letters. Where do you go when your big career goal goes awry? How do you face another work day after that? In a stunning story of resilience, Brandie has found a new path in teaching and training. This has culminated in her cre...

Kendra chats with Cassie Panning, CVT, VTS (Nutrition), about the application process for The Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians. With the 16th, and final, VTS Academy episode we find some fresh, new application changes. How long do we need to be working specifically in nutrition to be eligible? Can large animal technicians complete this process? What is the optimal working environment? L...

Kendra talks with Channing Benson the Programs Manager of Exams with the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). Did you know AAVSB actually owns the VTNE exam? Do you know the lengths they go to in order to secure a reliable and fair exam? Are you up to date on all the fresh changes including testing windows? Get answers to all these questions and more! Join in to hear a friendly...

Kendra chats with Abigail Nickolopoulos, CVT, VTS (Zoo) about the application process for the Academy of Veterinary Zoological Medicine Technicians. How do you even get your foot in the door in the small world of zoo medicine? What size of zoo is the best for achieving this goal? Answers to these questions and more as we dive into the unique, and small world of zoo medicine!

Kendra chats with Frannie O'Callaghan, RVT, about her new memoir  SOAP Notes: Irreverent Confessions of a Veterinary Technician. Hear all the steps along the way from RVT to published author! From the highest highs to the darkest lows, her memoir gives us the clear and honest truth of what it is to be a credentialed veterinary technician. 

Kendra chats with Christy DeYoung, RVT, VTS (Diagnostic Imaging) about the application process for the Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Diagnostic Imaging. From an every other year testing cycle to heavy skill requirement in advanced imaging, hear about all the ins and outs of DI. Where is the best place to get CE that meets the strict requirements? What is the best work environment for a succ...

Kendra chats with fellow members of the Academy of Equine Veterinary Nursing Technicians Andrea Whittle and Sheri Miller. Andrea and Sheri are both LVTs holding the credentials VTS (EVN). This episode will not only go over the application process but give you insight from a founding member! If you are interested in advancing your career as an equine veterinary technician you won't want to mis...

Brian Goleman, CVT, of Brian's Bandages chats with Kendra about all things bandaging. Hear Brian's journey from starting as a zookeeper to finding himself submerged in the world of bandaging. He has built himself a small bandaging empire featuring lunch and learns, speaking at conferences, custom bandage cut outs, and the new release of bandage scissors! You won't want to miss this...

Kendra chats with Darci Palmer, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia and Analgesia) about  application to the second oldest VTS academy. Having been around for so many years the carefully honed application process for the Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Anesthesia and Analgesia is not for the faint of heart. This episode is full of working examples and application tips to guide you through your application p...

Kendra chats with Jess Bowditch, RVT, CCRP, VTS (Physical Rehabilitation) about the application process for the Academy of Physical Rehabilitation Veterinary Technicians. What is the optimal working environment while pursuing these credentials? Do you need any other type of physical rehabilitation certification to qualify? What is the deal with the points system? Find out the answers to these ques...

Kendra joins forces with Dave Cowan, CVT, VTS (ECC) to talk about The Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians and Nurses. The very first NAVTA approved academy for the credentials of Veterinary Technician Specialist. What does it take to be a part of the largest VTS academy? How does their academy define emergency and critical care? What are some ways to ensure a successful a...

Kendra talks to Taryn Singleton, LVT, who is going on year 38! Finding a unicorn clinic right out of school Taryn has spent many years working in the trenches and grew into a 100% veterinary practice owner. What was it like being a new technician in the late '80s? What advice does she have for technicians looking to be practice owners? What's new with the VTNE? You definitely don't...

Kendra chats with Katie, LVT, VTS (Ophthalmology) about the application process for the Academy of Veterinary Ophthalmic Technicians. From a very strict working environment right up front, to the standard case logs and reports, find out the highlights of the application process. Even though eyes might make some of you squeamish, listen in on Katie's story. She didn't realize they would b...

Kendra joins forces with Monique Feyrecilde, LVT, VTS (Behavior) to talk all things behavior. The Academy of Veterinary Behavior Technicians has some of their own unique requirements for their VTS application process. Tune in to find out about time sheets, the easiest working environment, and the difference between intervention and prevention in behavior medicine. All your basic questions are answ...

Juliann London, RVT, VTS (Dermatology) chats with Kendra about the application process for the Academy of Dermatology Veterinary Technicians. Can we still work in a general practice setting and have a successful application? What requirements are unique to dermatology? Tune in for all the information to get started on your VTS-Derm credentials! 

Kendra is joined by Kara Tourot, LVT, VTS (Dentistry) and Amanda Ray, LVT, VTS (Dentistry) to talk over the application process for the Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians. With a very unique process that requires heavy time management you won't want to miss this episode. Over their 2-year training process very specific CE acquisition is required, along with specific case collection. Can...

Kendra chats with Aurora Sochan, CVT, VTS (EVN), CERP, about her unique journey through vet med. From equine, to small animal, back to equine, and now business owner, Aurora is no stranger to finding ways to keep her vet med flame burning bright. After a long storied career as a clinical veterinary technician she has found her new passion and calling as an equine physiotherapist. She finishes her...

Rebecca, RVN, VTS (Exotic Companion Animal) joins Kendra to talk about acquiring a VTS in Clinical Practice. The Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Clinical Practice provides a few different paths you can take based on your preferred species. With conversation from crazy exotic animal differences to their all encompassing skills list and everything in between. Tune in for Rebecca's fresh in...

Kendra is joined by Cathy (RVT, VTS (Surgery, Anesthesia & Analgesia)) to talk about the application process for the Academy of Veterinary Surgical Technicians. The main take away point from this episode is variety, variety, variety in your surgical exposure. What is the best working environment to accomplish this? Where can we get the best CE? Learn the answers to these questions and all the...

Who's ready to learn about lab animal?! Join Kendra (RVT, VTS-EVN) as she chats with ALAVTN executive director Stephen Nino Cital (RVT, VTS-LAM) about their application process. Even if lab animal medicine isn't your jam, don't miss out on this one. From their more extensive scope of practice to, well, the money, there is so much to hear about lab animal. Not only will you get lots...

Come along as Kendra (RVT, VTS-EVN) learns all about the application process for the Academy of Internal Medicine Veterinary Technicians. Kate, RVT, VTS (Cardiology) takes us through the process step by step. From their 2 part application process to their case census and everything in between, join in for the ins and outs of this academy. Be sure to hang around for the tech tip at the end!

Want to know more about the application process to become a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Clinical Pathology? Join Kendra, RVT, VTS - EVN and Lori, CVT, VTS - Clin Path as they go over the process step by step. What experience and education is needed to get started on the application? How can one be successful in this process? What types of skills and knowledge base is required to be an adva...

Kendra, RVT, VTS (EVN), chats with Scott about his journey from RVT to (almost) DVM. Tune in to hear about his journey through veterinary medicine and his decision to go to vet school. How is vet school for someone who has been an RVT for a decade? Are we going to have an inside man to advocate for credentialed veterinary technicians? Tune in for answers to these questions and so much more!

Kendra, RVT, is back with Molly, RVT (VTS - EVN), to talk foals. Much of our time over the first part of the year is consumed by foaling season. Listen in as we chat about a very intensive foal case that had the happy ending we are all hoping for. We discuss the case from presentation to discharge and all the hairy details in between. Haven't dealt with a critical foal yet? This one is for yo...