Michigan Association of Veterinary Technicians

05/22/2026

Welcome back to Feature Friday!

In celebration of Veterinary Assistant Week, meet one of our Assistant members, Raven!

Where in Michigan: St Clair County

Area of Focus: GP, Small Animal

What being a Vet Assistant means to them: Being a veterinary assistant means the whole world to me. I could never picture myself doing anything else. Having the privilege to care for those without voices is more than words can say.

How do you support your own work/life balance? I love crafting and spending time with my friends, family, and my 2 cats Fuji & Macintosh

What type of CE do you look for? Comfort in the clinic setting for patients, clients, and staff.

Anything else you want to share? I hope every veterinary assistant knows how much of a vital role they play in their clinic. They could not do it without you, and in case you haven’t heard it enough, thank you and you are SO appreciated!

Thank you Raven for being a member of the MAVT!

05/20/2026

Another VTNE Mock Exam down! Thank you to all of the students that joined us. Good luck on your exams!

05/18/2026

Veterinary assistants are the heartbeat of patient care. This week, we’re celebrating the incredible people who keep tails wagging and teams moving. 💙🐾”

05/08/2026

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, we want you to meet Megan!

Credentials: LVT, Fear Free Elite, RECOVER Certified Rescuer
Where in Michigan: Clio
Area of Focus: Clinical Coordinator for the Baker College of Owosso Vet Tech program, and I love teaching!

A little about them: I graduated from Vet Tech school in 2003, and my long career has included working at: a zoo, an emergency hospital, a daytime clinic, a high volume spay/neuter clinic, and now teaching at Baker College. I have a special interest in exotic animal medicine, specifically reptiles. In May, I will be graduating with a Master's in Biomedical Science from the University of Missouri, and was recently published in a veterinary journal.

Most significant accomplishment: Earning my Master's Degree!
How they support their own work/life balance: I love to kayak, take naps, take care of my reptiles, and have fun with my husband and kids.
CE they look for: Anything exotic animal related. I have two tortoises, a gecko, a bearded dragon, and a ball python.

Thank you Megan for being a member of the MAVT!

05/05/2026

Are you taking your VTNE in 2026? Want to practice in a supportive, educational setting?

The MAVT Mock Exam is May 15th at MSU!

Visit our website for more info! https://www.mivettechs.org/event-6620087

Quick trick- Signing up for a student membership is $10 and gets you access to this event for FREE, as well as the other perks of being an MAVT member!

This year's Mock Exam will happen in beautiful East Lansing at Michigan State University, room G150. Once you are registered, you will receive an email with specific information, including maps and where to park. Lunch will be provided- PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY DIETARY RESTRICTIONS!

05/01/2026

LVTs in Michigan!

We are closing in on an outline for scope of practice and title protection! Now it is your turn to weigh in. MAVT and MVMA members have already recieved an email for the survery to voice their opinion on our projected outline.

Didn't recieve the email? Join the MAVT! This will be the quickest and most efficient way to stay up to date on where we are, whats next and how you can contribute. Membership is just $30 per year and a membership also gets you access to our quarterly virtual CE for FREE!

Join here: https://www.mivettechs.org/join-us

Step 1: Collect feedback from LVTs and DVMs around the state. Complete the survery here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/lvtscope
Step 2: Host seperate roundtables for LVTs and DVMs to discuss the outline. You MUST be an MVMA or MAVT member to attend the town halls. Dates coming soon!

Already a member? Share with your network! We want to hear feedback from as many people as possible!

04/24/2026

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, we want you to meet Todd!

Credentials: LVT, Hospital Manager
Where in Michigan: The Thumb - Mayville
Area of Focus: Small Animal, Emergency

A little about them: I have been in the field since 2015 and licensed since 2016. My experience spans emergency, specialty, and general practice medicine. I've held leadership roles in high acuity hospital environments where I've helped lead and support multidisciplinary teams across a variety of specialty services. I am passionate about building strong, collaborative teams and fostering a culture of compassionate, high-quality patient care.

Most significant accomplishment: I recently assumed the role as the Hospital Manager for the new 'Emergency Veterinary Care Center' coming to Saginaw this Summer where I am playing a central role in launching a facility that will significantly expand access to 24-hour emergency veterinary care across the underserved regions of middle and northern Michigan.

How they support their own work/life balance: I prioritize spending time with my family, my pets, and my farm animals and spending all the time I can outdoors.

CE they look for: Leadership/Management, Emergency, Specialty
Anything else: For information on opportunities and more about our hospital, please visit https://evcc.com/saginaw/

Thank you Todd for being a member of the MAVT!

04/20/2026

Happy Veterinary CSR Week!

We can’t say it enough—our Customer Service Representatives are the heartbeat of our hospitals. You keep everything running smoothly, handle the front lines with care, and somehow work magic when it comes to the schedule.

We couldn’t do this without you.

Thank you for everything you do, every day!

04/17/2026

Welcome to 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, we want you to meet Marie!

Credentials: LVT, FFCP (Avian & Veterinary), CFVP, RECOVER CPR Certified Instructor
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Where in Michigan: Macomb County
Area of Focus: Small Animal, General Practice, Other

A little about them: Marie Gentile, LVT, is a Michigan veterinary technician and educator who brings practical, confidence‑building training directly to teams across the state. She began her career in 2010, became licensed in 2020, and serves at Ark Veterinary Hospital, where she blends clinical skill with accessible, emotionally safe instruction. Marie travels to clinics to provide RECOVER CPR education and hands‑on skill development, supports VTNE candidates, volunteers with the Detroit Zoological Society, and creates tailored training for veterinary staff. She advocates for access to improved exotic and feline care education and works to support neurodivergent professionals by honoring varied learning styles and communication needs. Marie hopes to build a supportive community in the future that uplifts technicians, expands educational access, and empowers Michigan’s veterinary workforce.

Most significant accomplishment: Recently, I supported two veterinary technology students in completing their internships. Seeing their growth has been the most fulfilling. (: Additionally, Low stress handling with ferrets! We used saline to smooth down fur instead of alcohol, and offered treats, which has landed to successful side jugular blood draws without scruffing (you can actually feel the vein!) and a doppler blood pressure from a ferret's tail while the ferret enjoyed some snacks! Aaaand a vacutainer blood draw on an iguana via ventral tail vein for ionized calcium testing.

How they support their own work/life balance: Energy management, boundaries, eating regular small meals, drinking water, naps, sensory supports, gaming group therapy, and crocheting plushies
CE they look for: Exotics/zoo med (especially birds!), teaching practices, hematology, behavior, analgesia, and euthanasia
Anything else: Language matters! The words you tell yourself and others have weight. Change starts with language.

Thank you Marie for being a member of the MAVT!

04/14/2026

Thursday is the day!

Join us to:
• Develop anesthetic and analgesic plans
• Identify anticipated complications
• Interpret vitals, bloodwork, and monitoring data
• Make real-time decisions under pressure

Registration is free for members, $15 for non-members!
Register here: https://www.mivettechs.org/event-6604431

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!