We'd like to introduce VetTech.Com's Executive Board to you.  Somehow it always seems more personal when you know who it is on the other side of the name, so we've included a short biography of each member and a hyperlink to reach them with should you have a question about their specific field of interest.

    You will note that there are quite a few vet tech fields with a "position open" after the specialty.  Should you wish to apply for the position please complete the application at left.

EB Director & Webmaster - Sharon M. Gariano, CVT.

    Hi, my name is Sharon and  I live in Pinellas Park, (near St. Petersburg) Florida.   Although I never had any pets growing up I've certainly made up for that since then.  While living in Germany with my ex-husband and three children I began showing a Longhaired Dachshund named Fritz.  When we returned from Europe in 1975 I began breeding Fritz to American dachshunds.  When he passed away in 1985, my heart totally went out of breeding and my last Longhaired Dachshund died in 1987.   Ever since my life has been filled with stray cats & dogs.  In 1989 I heard that they had created schools teaching veterinary technology and I immediately signed up at age 40!  In 1991 I graduated and passed my national and state boards and continue to keep up my certification to this day. 
    While acting as hospital manager in a small animal and avian practice our clients would come to me (after their pets had passed over the Rainbow Bridge) and ask me where they could get them cremated, who they could trust and where could they find a suitable urn.  I didn't have any good answers so I went in search of the truth.  Truth was except for the veterinary hospitals, nobody locally really took the time to help people make final arrangements for their pets and there were precious few urns available.  To meet this need I founded Reflections Pet Urns in 1994 and in 1995 I quit my "day job" to do it full time.  Additionally, in December 1996 we started the first Reflections Pet Funeral Home at our clients request.  We plan to begin expansion though out the country in the next few years.

Anesthesia Technician Specialist - Position Open
   

Animal Behavior Specialist - Position Open

Avian Technician  - Capt. Robert "Tut" Barrett, CVT

Capt. Robert L. "Tut" Barrett, is a  Certified Veterinary Technician (Florida Veterinary Medical Association) and Certified Avian Specialist (certified in Avian Veterinary Care and Husbandry by the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council) and holds a certificate in Avian Biology and Ornithology from Cornell University. Capt. Tut is also a Veterinary Nutrition Advisor and Veterinary Nutritional Consultant in small animal and clinical nutrition. He is a recent graduate of Steve Martin’s Natural Encounters Bird Training & Show Production for Professionals workshop.

    Capt. Tut has worked with birds in many different aspects for over 25 years. While working as a diver on the Pinellas County Artificial Reef Program, his Blue & Gold Macaw, Sally would travel with him out to the reefs every day by boat perched anchor (while it was on the deck). He was later offered the position of Assistant Zoo Director with Sunken Gardens. In this capacity he was responsible for the birds and animals in the park. Capt. Tut also developed the famous "Pirate Parrot Show," a tradition he continues to this day. Since graduating from St. Petersburg Junior College Veterinary Technology Program, Capt. Tut worked as a veterinary technician in two veterinary hospitals specializing in avian medicine and at the college as an assistant faculty member.  He now works as an independent Avian Consultant helping owners and birds live in harmony with one another.

    Capt.Tut is the owner/trainer of Silly Willy, a Rainbow Lori who stars as Hulk Hogan’s bird buddy, Deep Six in the movie "McCinsey’s Island."  His most recent TV accomplishment was being featured on Animal Planet's "Pet Project." Click here to visit Capt. Tut's website.  He is also a Co-host on the national radio show, Talkin' Pets.

Biomedical Research Technician -Sandy Yurevich, CVT  

I’ve been working in the field of veterinary medicine for 10 years.  I began my career in a small animal private practice as a veterinary assistant in 1991.  I was able to sit for the state and national boards in 1997 and have spent much of my career in various private practices.  We now have an AVMA accredited veterinary technology program in my area and in the past I have had the opportunity to work with students and pet owners in teaching small animal CPR and basic first-aid.  I am also certified in wildlife rehabilitation and have enjoyed releasing animal’s back into their natural habitat.

My own pet’s include two cat’s, a sheltie, four hen’s (barred rock’s) and a large fresh water fish tank.  I enjoy the exchange of knowledge and new idea’s, and have recently written an article in the use of medicinal leeches as adjunct therapy in the small animal with venous insufficiency complications (published last year).  Recently I have been involved in the establishment of my states technician association and I was elected to serve as secretary.  I am also currently enrolled in college pursuing a degree in microbiology.

In Jan. 2000 I accepted a position in biomedical research.  I have enjoyed the challenge of this position and the full utilization of my skills.  The responsibilities as a veterinary technician in research have been enormous and very challenging.   I am currently fulfilling the requirements toward certification as a laboratory animal technologist through the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science.  I was hesitant at first when accepting the position after the many years spent in the private practice.  Most veterinary technicians (VT) in the private practice do not understand the role of the VT in research.  My goals are very similar to those of the VT in the practice setting; animal’s receive the same compassionate nursing care and husbandry in research.  In fact, I am better able to provide more personalized care with these animals than I was able to provide in the busy practice setting and really I enjoy this aspect. 

I feel very privileged in playing a vital role in the advancement of human and veterinary medicine.  It is very exciting to know that the work I perform today will help to extend or save many human and animal lives in the future.

Clinical Laboratory Technician - Vicki Hayden, CVT

    Vicki Hayden, CVT, a graduate of St. Petersburg Junior College, is now working in a veterinary reference lab in New Jersey. Vicki graduated from SPC in 1979, and her clinical background is primarily equine. Her special love is exotic hematology.   Vicki is working to create a Clinical Pathology specialty for techs, and promoting nationwide licensure for all veterinary technicians. Hobbies include various arts (architecture, music, sci-fi/fantasy novels), sailing, renaissance faires, and computers. Vicki shares her living quarters with a pushy Abyssinian, to the extent that His Lordship allows!

Vicki recently created a Bulletin Board for VetTech.com, visit often and join in some lively discussions.

Critical Care Technician - Brandy Terry, CVT

Brandy Terry, CVT

Is a graduate of Manor College in Pennsylvania.  Since she has graduated she
has worked in small animal hospitals, emergency clinics and now is currently working in higher
education at two different colleges.

The first one is University of Pennsylvania Small Animal ICU.  There she is working with critically ill animals
and has many responsibilities which include basic nursing care to invasive procedure like placing central
catheter, arterial catheter and monitoring patients that are on a ventilator.

Brandy also is the Education Coordinator for the Veterinary Technology Program at Manor College in
Pennsylvania and is privileged to teach the future veterinary technicians.  Her interests include teaching, EKG interpretation, neurological disorders, and respiratory disorders.

She is a current member of VTAAP (Veterinary Technicians and Assistant of Pennsylvania), NAVTA (National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America), VECCS (Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society,
and AVTE (Association of Veterinary Technician Educators). 

Brandy is working towards fulfilling the requirements to take the examination for Veterinary Technician Specialist
in Emergency and Critical Care.

Dental Technician-  David B. Kane, RVT

  David B. Kane, RVT was born and raised in San Francisco, CA where he worked in group specialty and solo practices for over ten years as a surgical and dental technician.  David and his family moved to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia in 1996. He has been working at Woodworth Animal Hospital since October 1997 as a dental technician in a three doctor general veterinary practice.
    As a member of the American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians, David is certified by that organization as a veterinary dental technician.   He is also a member of the American Veterinary Dental Society, the British Veterinary Dental Association, the Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Society, the Veterinary Technician Anesthetist Society and the Association of Veterinary
    David is married, and has one daughter, age 9.  When not working he enjoys reading, traveling and playing tennis.

For information about becoming a Dental Technician call the American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians @ 800-613-3647.

Emergency Technician - Beth VanHorn, CAHT

Beth VanHorn, CAHT, is a graduate of Wilson College Veterinary Medical Technology (VMT) program(1995).  She has worked in small animal/avian/exotic private and emergency practices for 5 years.  Beth's  special interests include avian and exotic medicine, client education, anesthesia and laboratory techniques.  She also finds client education and continuing education  a high priority...her motto is,  education is the success for life!
     Beth is a member of NAVTA, VTAAP (Vet. Tech. & Assistants of PA), VECCS (Vet. Emergency & Critical Care Society), AAV (Assoc. of Avian Vet.) and a Board Member for The Vet. Tech. Animal Behavior Society.  She is currently fulfilling requirements for specialization as a VECCT.  

For more information about becoming an Emergency Technician contact the Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians at 210-826-1488.

Exotics & Pocket Pets - Position Open

Hospital/Practice Manager - Position Open

Internal Medicine Technician - Position Open

Large Animal Technician- Jean C.Young, LVT

     I am an honors graduate from Delhi State University, a school well known for its veterinary technology program. Upon graduation I worked for a couple small animal practices before coming to Cornell University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. I have worked at the Cornell Large Animal Hospital for about 15 years. My main area is Medicine and ENICU (equine neonatal intensive care unit) but I also help out with all large animal species (cows, sheep, goats, pigs, llamas, exotics). I have many duties and areas at Cornell, one of the being the head technician for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. I supervise and teach forth year students, residents and also work closely with the extern program for student veterinary technicians. I am a member of NYSAVT, and a committee member for our Cornell Veterinary Technicians. I have obtained several certificates while working here, including Equine Care: Early Care of the Young Horse; Equine Nutrition; and Veterinary Technicians Role in Anesthesia. I organize teaching labs for the neonatal students and have participated in several equine practitioners conferences.

I own a small horse farm just outside Cortland, New York. My hobbies are horseback riding and showing. I show western pleasure, equitation, and trail class and love to do gymkana (barrels, pole bending, cloverleaf, etc.). I take my RV and my horses camping. There are several state parks throughout New York State that are all set up for horseback riding. They have miles and miles of marked trails for horse people. That’s a blast! You just pack your lunch, take a map and head out on the trail. My horses love going camping too.

Neurology Technician - Position Open

Professional Development - Paige Lark

Having been a Vet Tech (general and exotic med) for ten years and an office manager for a good part of that, three years ago I felt the sting of burnout from a job I had once loved.  Not being able to affect the needed changes I felt were necessary to improve moral, I made the tough decision to leave the hospital and start my own company- VetTech Relief.  My dream was to match quality techs with quality hospitals, creating good morale and subsequently better veterinary medicine. 

Now my days are spent finding techs their dream jobs!  Part time, full time, and relief where they are appreciated, paid more, have excellent benefits, utilize their skills, and have the chance to continually learn about our field.  All services are free to the technicians who qualify with VetTech Relief and we even negotiate salary and benefits.  Yep, negotiating is now as normal as taking a pre-op blood panel for me.  

You may see me or a representative pop in and out of your hospital on the West Coast either working as a relief tech or promoting VetTech Relief, as we are rapidly expanding.  I am still more comfortable in my scrubs and look forward to meeting you and your staff some day soon.

Currently I live in the California San Francisco Bay area with my husband and business partner Jim Lark, and our menagerie of animals.  As a recruiter and technician I Look forward to sharing articles with VetTech.com’s readers about how to obtain that perfect job. Big thanks to Sharon for inviting me to be a part of VetTech.com and her mission to create a location on line promoting the veterinary technology profession!

Small Animal Technician - Michael Patrick, CVT

Michael Patrick, CVT, is a graduate from Fort Valley State College (1985) and has worked in private practice since graduation. Special interests include anesthesia, exotics, nutrition, dentistry and client education. He currently holds the title of Director of Nursing in a small animal practice in Tampa, Florida. Mike makes his home in Tampa with his partner of 24 years, 3 cats, a Yellow Double-headed Amazon Parrot, and his Sheltie.

Mike is currently the Treasurer and Continuing Education Director (petitioning and achieving AAVSB RACE providership in 2002) of the Florida Veterinary Technician Association (FVTA) and held the office of President from 1997-1999. He was the first to initiate a veterinary wellness program for pets of special needs individuals. He also is the NAVTA state representative for Florida, the Veterinary Technician representative for the Lesbian and Gay Veterinary Medical Association (LGVMA) and webmaster of the FVTA website which you can visit by clicking on the Florida Veterinary Technician Association link. 

Mike has sat on various CVTEA site team committees of the AVMA for the past 4 years, evaluating the AVMA Veterinary Technology Programs in Florida. 
He is also the webmaster of the FVTA website which you can visit by clicking on the Florida Veterinary Technician Association link.

Surgical Technician - Position Open

Veterinary Technician Instructor - Ginny Price, CVT

I graduated from the Saint Petersburg Junior College, Veterinary Technology Program in 1980. I have worked at a small animal practice in Saint Petersburg, FL for 18 years. Meanwhile I developed an interest in animal behavior. I was given an opportunity to teach the Animal Breeds and Behavior Laboratory at SPJC beginning in 1994. This was a huge thrill for me. The next few years I also began teaching Veterinary Clinical Practice One, and Work Experience One. As the years went by I studied more about behavior. I updated my courses as I learned new teaching techniques and new knowledge. All my classes became more interactive. I find I learn better under these circumstances and my students did too. I have just returned from a five day lecture and practicum class at Purdue University about dog behavior. It was fantastic. I learned all the latest techniques and theories.

    I am a member of FVTA (Florida Veterinary Technician Association), I am married and have two girls, one is thirteen, and the other is eight.  They keep me hopping along with my two dogs, a beagle Jasper, and a large mixed breed, Lily. I also have two cats, Chocolate Milk, and Rose. I have two rabbits, Magnolia, and Blackberry. They both just showed up one day. And as for birds I have a cockatiel, Scout, and a lovebird, Spring. That is about it, besides my daughters new addition, a turtle named Little Ann.

    I hope to see Veterinary Technicians across the country band together for the good of us all!

Veterinary Technician Association Representative - Position Open

Zoo Technician - position open