Michigan Association of Veterinary Technicians

04/10/2026

Welcome to Feature Friday!

Each week, we’ll be highlighting one of the incredible LVT members who make up the MAVT. We’re excited to share what inspires them, what they love most about veterinary medicine, and how they prioritize caring for themselves both inside and outside of the profession.

Every week, we’ll be selecting one of our active members for a special shout-out — so watch your emails closely… you might be next!

This week, we want you to meet Sarah!

Credentials: LVT, VTS (Clinical Practice - Canine/Feline)
Pronouns: She/Her
Where in Michigan: Grand Rapids
Area of Focus: Small Animal, General Practice

A little about them: My name is Sarah DeYoung and I’ve been a licensed veterinary technician for 25 years. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University in 2001. Since graduation, I’ve worked at the same small animal general medicine hospital. I’m head technician there and am part of the management team. Working at the same practice with many of the same co-workers has been such a blessing! I’ve seen so many changes in this field and love the opportunity to grow and improve myself. I love the variety that each day brings. Some of my passions are feline medicine, puppy training, hospitalized patient care, dentistry, and mentoring new assistants and technicians. Our family has raised 6 Paws With A Cause assistance dogs. We’ve also fostered kittens. I currently have 6 cats and 1 black lab.

Most significant accomplishment: I earned my VTS in Clinical Practice (canine/feline) in 2014. It was a huge undertaking, but worth every minute. I love being involved in their mentorship and credentials committees because I get to see what type of medicine other hospitals are practicing. It challenges me to be a life long learner.

How they support their own work/life balance: Outside of work I love spending time with my husband and 2 kids. We love camping in Michigan. I also garden, read and do puzzles. I'd love to foster more kittens in the future.

CE they look for: I tend to choose CE based on who's teaching it. Amy Newfield is one of my favorites. I also love management or leadership topics, anesthesia and behavior.

Thank you Sarah for being a member of the MAVT!

04/07/2026

Are you ready to escape the anesthesia complication room?

Test your knowledge next week at our Virtual Escape Room hosted by Amanda Shelby, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia).

Registration is free for members, $15 for non-members!

Register here: https://www.mivettechs.org/event-6604431

04/02/2026

🔎 CARE Connections
Helping veterinary technicians discover continuing education that matters.

Another CE opportunity coming up this spring:
🎓 NAVTA Sponsored Webinar
The Value of Vet Techs & Veterinary Nutrition

📅 April 9, 2026
⏰ 7:00–8:00 PM EST
💻 Live Webinar
📜 RACE-Approved for 1 hour of CE

This session explores how veterinary technicians can expand their role as nutritional consultants, improving patient outcomes while also contributing to practice growth.

Topics include:
• Building technician-led nutrition programs
• Strategic, change, and project management
• Calculating ROI for technician-led appointments
• Emotional intelligence and leadership skills in veterinary teams

Presented by:
👩‍⚕️ Flavia Vaduva, MS, DVM, MBA, DACVIM (Nutrition)
👩‍⚕️ Vicky Ograin, MBA, RVT, FVTE, VTS (Nutrition)
Sponsored by Hill’s Pet Nutrition

Learn more or register here:
https://navta.site-ym.com/events/register.aspx?id=2047281&itemid=6bf96cb8-42e3-423c-9c79-737dcc91d390

03/31/2026

Have you signed up for the adventure that is:

Escape Room Anesthesia: Will Your Patient Survive?

This quarter is all about Caring for Animals, especially in real-life clincal cases, which we often navigate daily.

Join Amanda Shelby, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia) to discuss anesthetic plans, complications and stabilization considerations.

FREE for MAVT members!

Register here: https://www.mivettechs.org/event-6604431

03/27/2026

Welcome to Feature Friday!

Each week, we’ll be highlighting one of the incredible LVT members who make up the MAVT. We’re excited to share what inspires them, what they love most about veterinary medicine, and how they prioritize caring for themselves both inside and outside of the profession.

Every week, we’ll be selecting one of our active members for a special shout-out — so watch your emails closely… you might be next!

This week, we want you to meet Danielle!

Credentials: Licensed Veterinary Technician
Pronouns: She/Her
Where in Michigan: Saint Helen
Area of Focus: Small Animal, Other

A little about them: My name is Danielle Belanger, and I have been a licensed veterinary technician since 2015. I began my journey after graduating from Globe University in Wisconsin, where I built a strong foundation in small animal medicine and discovered my passion for small animal dentistry. A few years later, I moved to Michigan and continued working in a small animal practice. While I truly enjoyed working in a clinical setting, I realized that my greatest passion was in education and sharing knowledge with others. In 2020, I transitioned into a full-time instructor role. Being an instructor is incredibly rewarding, and I take great pride in helping students grow, develop their skills, and pursue their own careers in veterinary medicine.

Most significant accomplishment: The most significant accomplishment I achieved recently is being selected as an Item writer for AAVSB
How they support their own work/life balance: Outside of my professional life, I prioritize work-life balance by spending time with my Great Dane, Huckley, and my two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Gus and Ollie. I also enjoy baking sourdough, tending to my chickens, and camping. Living in Michigan allows me to fully appreciate the beauty of summer, which is my favorite time of year.
CE they look for: Emergency Medicine and Dentistry

Thank you Danielle for being an MAVT member!

03/26/2026

🔎 CARE Connections
Helping veterinary technicians find CE opportunities that matter.
One upcoming virtual CE opportunity this spring:

💻 Online Conference: Behavior & Surgery
📅 April 9–11, 2026

This live interactive conference offers up to 15 hours of continuing education featuring experts in veterinary behavior and surgery.

Topics include:
• Behavioral psychopharmacology
• Canine anxiety & separation anxiety
• Emergency surgical procedures
• Gastrointestinal surgery
• Facial reconstruction techniques

Because it's fully online, this can be attended from anywhere.

🔗 Learn more:
https://vetvacationce.com/product/online-conference-behavior-and-surgery-april-2026/

03/23/2026

Members, are you interested what happens at our MAVT meetings?

Join the MAVT for our April Meeting. We will begin with a 30 minute open session for moderated questions. Following that, we will host our normal monthly meeting.

This is a great time to join and see what the MAVT is working on, where we are in the scope of practice discussion and what we have planned for the rest of 2026.

Register here:

Join the MAVT for our April Meeting. We will begin with a 30 minute open session for moderated questions. Following that, we will host our normal monthly meeting. 

03/19/2026

🔎 CARE Connections: Finding CE that matters to you
At MAVT, we know that continuing education opportunities don’t always come from just one place. Through CARE Connections, we’re helping veterinary technicians discover valuable CE opportunities happening across the profession.

One upcoming event worth exploring:
📅 FVMA Annual Conference 2026
📍 Orlando, Florida
🗓 April 16–19, 2026

This conference offers hundreds of hours of continuing education across topics including:
• Anesthesia
• Dentistry
• Emergency & Critical Care
• Surgery
• Internal Medicine
• Practice Management

Whether you're looking to deepen your clinical knowledge, explore new areas of veterinary medicine, or simply stay current in the profession, this conference has a wide variety of sessions to explore.

🔗 View the full schedule here:
https://fvma.org/conferences/ac2026-schedule/

03/17/2026

Have you checked out our website lately?

We have updated our News and Events pages and will be promoting more CE opportunities that are available locally! If you are hosting a CE in the state of Michigan and want us to add your event to our calendar, email vicepresident@mivettechs.org with the information.

You'll notice one of the listed events is the second installment in our CARE campaign-

Escape Room Anesthesia: Will Your Patient Survive?

This session presents real-life clinical cases in which participants navigate:
-Developing anesthetic and analgesic plans
-Anticipating complications
-Responding appropriately to complications
-Pre- and post-stabilization considerations

As a continued commitment to our MAVT members, this CE is free for members! Registration opens March 21st. Visit https://www.mivettechs.org/newsevents for all of the details!

03/13/2026

Welcome back to Feature Friday!

Each week, we’ll be highlighting one of the incredible LVT members who make up the MAVT. We’re excited to share what inspires them, what they love most about veterinary medicine, and how they prioritize caring for themselves both inside and outside of the profession.

Every week, we’ll be selecting one of our active members for a special shout-out — so watch your emails closely… you might be next!

This week is extra special, meet the MAVT's new Recording Secretary, Sarah!

Credentials: LVT
Where in Michigan: Zeeland
Area of Focus: General Practice, Specialty

A little about them: I have been a Licensed Veterinary Technician in Michigan since 2013. Early on in my career I found my passion for Feline Specialty Medicine. I am the crazy cat lady and passionate about promoting feline specific care. During my spare time I care for orphan neo natal kittens, breed and raise goats, and assist my kids in their local 4-H projects.

Most significant accomplishment: My greatest accomplishment recently is being nominated and elected as the Recording Secretary of the Michigan Association of Veterinary Technicians. I am excited to see where this new role will take me and the difference I will be able to make.
How they support their own work/life balance: It is easier to find work/life balance when you are passionate about your job. My family does enjoy working our small hobby farm. In spare time we like to go off roading as a family.
CE they look for: For the most part I look for feline specific CE. I also enjoy learning how to keep the passion strong for what we do as Veterinary Professionals.
Anything else: The MAVT is a wonderful organization and I encourage all of Michigan Veterinary Technicians to join. It is exciting to be a part of something that can shape the future of our profession. You can make a difference too.

Thank you Sarah for being a member of the MAVT!

03/06/2026

Welcome to Feature Friday!

Each week, we’ll be highlighting one of the incredible LVT members who make up the MAVT. We’re excited to share what inspires them, what they love most about veterinary medicine, and how they prioritize caring for themselves both inside and outside of the profession.

Every week, we’ll be selecting one of our active members for a special shout-out — so watch your emails closely… you might be next!

This week, we want you to meet Maddie!

-Credentials: LVT
-Pronouns: She/Her/They/Them
-Where in Michigan: Muskegon
-Area of Focus: Small Animal, Emergency

-A little about them: I have been a licensed veterinary technician since 2018 after graduating from Baker College of Muskegon’s veterinary technician program. I’ve had veterinary medicine on my mind since I was 6 with an unconditional love for animals & their well being. Animals big or small I love them all! I currently work in urgent care/emergency medicine with goals of getting my VTS in either emergency/critical care or internal medicine. I am Fear Free & RECOVER CPR certified. I have had animals of all kinds but I currently have 2 cats named Beckett Pickle & Steve French along with a Leopard Gecko named Ms. Honey & tarantula named Peach! I am honored to put in the hard work & dedication into a career I am so passionate about. I love that each day & each case can teach me something I didn't know before!

-Most significant accomplishment: A few months ago I had become RECOVER CPR certified!
-How they support their own work/life balance: I love getting out in nature & grounding myself with my friends & family! I love playing video games, Dungeons & Dragons, snuggling my kitties & keeping up on the latest veterinary medical journals & case studies!
-CE they look for: I typically look for things pertaining to emergency & critical care medicine, fear free methods, new or improved techniques for techs & the mental wellbeing for veterinary professionals along with hospital management.
-Anything else: I would love to thank all the beautifully brilliant veterinary professionals who have chosen to walk the path of helping animals, it is not easy but so very rewarding!

Thank you Maddie for being a member of the MAVT!

02/27/2026

Welcome to Feature Friday!

Each week, we’ll be highlighting one of the incredible LVT members who make up the MAVT. We’re excited to share what inspires them, what they love most about veterinary medicine, and how they prioritize caring for themselves both inside and outside of the profession.

Every week, we’ll be selecting one of our active members for a special shout-out — so watch your emails closely… you might be next!

This week, we want you to meet Kari!

-Credentials: LVT, RVT, CVPP
-Pronouns: She/Her
-Where in Michigan: Metro Detroit
-Area of Focus: Small Animal, General Practice

-A little about them: I've been licensed in Michigan for almost fifteen years. After a few years in general practice, I spent almost a decade in specialty (Emergency, Neurology, and Surgery). I came back to GP as a technician supervisor. I have a strong interest in ASA IV/V surgery, pain management, and palliative care.

-Most significant accomplishment: Obtaining my Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner in 2024 through the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management.
-How they support their own work/life balance: I love to travel, write, and sing karaoke. Vacation time is a very important employee benefit for me.
-CE they look for: I like interactive CE. Webinars with audience, engaging lecturers, etc. Something more than sitting and taking notes.

Thank you Kari for being a member of the MAVT!