You Hired a New Grad- Now What?
Proven Strategies for Retention and Success

***Click Here to Register***

Veterinary graduates are about to join the workforce- so now is the time to set them (and your practice) up for long-term success. Hiring a new graduate is just the beginning; the real challenge lies in helping them thrive- and stay.

In this practical, fast-paced webinar, we’ll explore what new grads need in their first year and how your practice can create a supportive environment that promotes retention, confidence, and growth. You’ll leave with actionable strategies you can implement right away, whether you’re building an internal mentorship program or looking for external support.

We’ll also introduce Ready, Vet, Go, our 7-month remote mentorship program designed to complement your in-clinic efforts and help your new hire hit the ground running.

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Identify the key factors that influence retention and satisfaction in new graduate veterinarians.
• Describe common pitfalls practices face when onboarding and mentoring new grads and, how to avoid them.
• Implement practical strategies to support new grads during their transition from school to practice.
• Understand how external mentorship programs can enhance in-clinic support and improve long-term outcomes.

Speaker:  Dani Rabwin, DVM

Bio: Dr. Dani Rabwin, DVM is the founder of Ready, Vet, Go, a mentorship and education platform supporting new and early-career veterinarians. Her work focuses on improving the transition from school to practice and building community within the profession. She received her veterinary degree from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and went on to complete an internship at Michigan Veterinary Specialists. She continues to joyfully practice small-animal medicine at a variety of general and emergency practices in the Bay Area, California.

Sponsor:

SCVMA and UC Irvine Present:

13th Annual Conti Symposium

DVM Program

Current Concepts and Controversies on Wound Management

Sunday June 7th, 2026

9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Doors Open at 8:00 AM for Check-In & Continental Breakfast

Lunch included

7 hours California Statutorily Approved Continuing Education

​

CaRVTA, IVVTA, & SCVMA members prior to May 23, 2026: FREE

NON-members May 23, 2026: $50

Registration FOR ALL after May 23, 2026: $150.00

​**There will be a $50.00 fee charged to individuals that RSVP and fail to attend or fail to cancel by May 29, 2026**

UC Irvine, Student Center
311 W Peltason Dr, Irvine, CA 92697

Directions and Parking Instructions w/Registration

**A link to the proceedings will be sent prior to the event- no hard copies will be provided**

FEATURING:

Bryden J. Stanley, BVMS, DVM, MVETSC, DACVS

Lecture: Tension-Relieving Techniques
Lecture: Skin flaps: Subdermal, Axial Pattern

Dr. Bryden Stanley is Emeritus Professor of Surgery at Michigan State University, where she was Chief of Surgery for many years. Stanley’s main research interests are wound healing, cutaneous reconstruction and upper respiratory conditions. Since retiring from MSU in 2021, she has been working in specialist private practice at the Animal Surgical Center of Michigan. Stanley’s clinical interests are in all aspects of soft tissue surgery, particularly upper respiratory, wound management and cutaneous reconstructive techniques. She is well published, speaks frequently at conferences globally and is currently Chair of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

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Elizabeth A. Swanson, DVM, MS. DACVS-SA

Lecture: Updates in Open Wound Management
Lecture: Multi-Drug Resistant Infections

Dr. Swanson is an Associate Professor of Small Animal Surgery at the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Her clinical focus is soft tissue surgery with special interests in wound healing, wound infection, chronic biofilm infections, minimally invasive surgery, and endourology. She graduated from Iowa State University in 2001. She completed a rotating internship at the Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover (University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover) in Germany (2002), practiced in the Chicago area for five years as an associate veterinarian, then completed surgery internships at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists in Houston (2008) and at the University of Missouri (2009, 2010). She completed her surgery residency at Purdue University in 2013 and has been on faculty at Mississippi State University since. Her research focuses on chronic biofilm infections, particularly the effects of biofilms on chronic wound development, biofilms in chronic urinary tract infections, treatment of chronic biofilm and multiple-drug-resistant infections, understanding the mechanisms of bacterial adhesion to tissues, and on developing a model of biofilm-infected diabetic pressure ulcers.

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Joseph C. Wenke, PhD, Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, University of Texas Medical Branch; Director of Research Shriners Children’s Texas

Lecture: Bacterial Biofilms in Wounds

Dr. Wenke is a classically trained skeletal muscle physiologist from an exercise physiology graduate program that transitioned to researching battlefield wounds. He started his professional career as a postdoctoral fellow in 2003 at US Army Institute of Surgical Research in San Antonio, TX and quickly transitioned to Research Physiologist and, then, Scientific Lead for his group, that originally started relatively small, but had over 80 people when he left. During his 18 years at USAISR, he focused on orthopaedic trauma with emphasis on reducing complications and improving outcomes of open fractures. He spearheaded and was a part of virtually every aspect of research during this time ranging from in vitro discovery, using preclinical animal models to help inform clinical practice guidelines, participating and/or organizing clinical studies and trials, and being a program manager for the Congressionally Directed Orthopaedic Research Program. His research focused on prevention of infection, treating recalcitrant biofilm infections, skeletal muscle and bone regeneration, and impaired healing from dysregulated immune response due to polytrauma. Dr. Wenke devoted a large amount of effort to defining battlefield wounding patterns, determining complications, and defining disabling conditions that resulted in medical retirements which ultimately prevented readiness of our troops. He is now a Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and is the Director of Research at Shriners Children’s Hospital, Texas, and continues that line of research along with pediatric and general orthopedic conditions.

​

Shane J. Andrews, DVM, DACVS-SA

Lecture: Management of Complex Traumatic Wounds

Dr. Andrews graduated from Western University of Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine in 2009 and then entered the United States Army as a Veterinary Corps Officer serving assignments in Japan, Colorado, Okinawa, and Germany. He completed a Small Animal Surgery Residency at Michigan State University in 2017 and is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. He recently settled down in St. George, Utah and is the founder of Solace Veterinary Specialty Center and Southern Utah Veterinary CE Circuit. He continues to serve his country in the US Army reserves as a veterinary specialist and consultant. He is happily married to his wife Amy and has 4 children (Jayden, Tia, Jett, and Niko).

SCVMA and UC Irvine Present:

13th Annual Conti Symposium

Technician Program

Current Concepts and Controversies on Wound Management

Sunday June 7th, 2026

9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Doors Open at 8:00 AM for Check-In & Continental Breakfast

Lunch included

7 hours California Statutorily Approved Continuing Education

​

CaRVTA, IVVTA, & SCVMA members prior to May 23, 2026: FREE

NON-members May 23, 2026: $50

Registration FOR ALL after May 23, 2026: $150.00

​**There will be a $50.00 fee charged to individuals that RSVP and fail to attend or fail to cancel by May 29, 2026**

UC Irvine, Student Center
311 W Peltason Dr, Irvine, CA 92697

Directions and Parking Instructions w/Registration

**A link to the proceedings will be sent prior to the event- no hard copies will be provided**

FEATURING:

Allyne Moon, LVT, RVT 

Lecture: Wound Healing 101

Allyne Moon has been engaged in veterinary medicine since 1992. She obtained her LVT certification from the State of Alaska in 2003, followed by her RVT certification in California in 2004, Virginia LVT certification in 2025, and her CCFP in 2020. She served as an Expert Witness for the State of California and has previously worked as a Hospital Inspector for the California Veterinary Medical Board. Currently, she operates as an independent RVT, staff trainer, and consultant. In her free time, Allyne contributes her efforts to veterinary free clinics, shelters, and rescue groups, is a board member of the Animal Health Foundation, and mentors RVT students. She is actively involved in various veterinary professional organizations, having held the position of President of the California Registered Veterinary Technicians Association, serves on the board for the Animal Health Foundation, and was the first non-DVM to be appointed to the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association Board of Trustees.

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Heather Scott, CVT, RVT, VTS(ECC), FFCP-V (Elite), RECOVER Certified Instructor 

Lecture: Burn Wound Care

Heather is a passionate veterinary professional and educator with a lifelong dedication to emergency and critical care. Her journey in veterinary medicine began in 1996 in her hometown of San Clemente, California. Today, she is a dual-licensed technician (RVT, LVT) and holds a prestigious Veterinary Technician Specialty in Emergency and Critical Care (VTS ECC). Deeply committed to low-stress patient advocacy, Heather is Fear Free Elite certified and currently provides hands-on, high-level care in the ICU, ER, and specialty anesthesia departments in Hawaii. As an experienced speaker and former Learning and Development Specialist, she regularly presents at conferences like IVECCS and HVMA and serves as a certified RECOVER CPR instructor. She is also a published author in the NAVTA Journal and a contributing chapter author for two newly released 2025 textbooks in Emergency and Critical Care and Pain Management. Outside the hospital, Heather brings the same intense energy to her personal life. She is an avid photographer and outdoor enthusiast whose hobbies include snowboarding, archery, surfing, and even freediving with sharks. She loves spending her downtime exploring the Hawaiian Islands with her husband, Josh, and their beloved cats, Ollie and Kaipo.

​

Brian Goleman, CVT 

Lecture: Bandaging Wounds

Brian Goleman, CVT, is the founder of Brian’s Bandages and a Lead Specialty Surgery Technician. With extensive experience in complex wound cases, he combines real-world specialty expertise with practical, effective bandaging techniques that improve outcomes and client compliance. Brian is a nationally recognized speaker who has lectured and led hands-on labs at major conferences, including the Western Veterinary Conference. Through online courses, virtual clinic training, and live events, he makes bandaging approachable, engaging, and confidence-building for veterinary teams of all experience levels. His mission is simple: elevate the standard of care- because big or small, we bandage them all.

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Deborah Calantropio-Covington, MSc, BA 

Lecture: From Flush to Closure
Lecture: Natural Remedies

Deborah Calantropio-Covington, MS, VTS (Lab Animal), is a Specialty Veterinary Technician with nearly 20 years of experience spanning private practice and laboratory animal medicine. She began her career in small animal private practice from 2005–2012 before transitioning into research settings, where she now serves as a lead veterinary technician supporting complex clinical cases across multiple sites. Deborah holds a Master of Science in International Animal Welfare Ethics and Law from the University of Edinburgh and is deeply committed to advancing animal welfare through practical refinement, ethical leadership, and compassionate care. In addition to her clinical leadership, she provides safety consulting for biomedical laboratories, supporting biosafety, regulatory compliance, and culture-of-care initiatives. An engaging and forward-thinking speaker, Deborah is known for her dynamic and energetic presence as well as her ability to inspire collaboration by building cultures grounded in communication, trust, and empathy across diverse teams.

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Tasha McNerney, CVT, CVPP, VTS (Anesthesia)

Lecture: Pain Management
Lecture: Analgesia for Surgical and Non-surgical Wound Care

Tasha is a Certified Veterinary Technician and Veterinary Technician Specialist from Glenside, PA. She is also a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner and works closely with the IVAPM to educate the public about animal pain awareness. Tasha loves to lecture on various anesthesia and pain management topics around the globe. Tasha has authored numerous articles on anesthesia and analgesia topics for veterinary professionals and pet parents. In her spare time Tasha enjoys reading, spending time with her husband and son, and recording the Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds Podcast.

Kidney Health is Total Health

**for this meeting only**

Stitches Veterinary Surgery

2211 N Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90815

 Seating is VERY limited- RSVP NOW to save your spot!

***Click Here to RSVP***

Attendees will:

• Recall the role the kidneys play in overall health
• Describe the different biomarkers for glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and what they tell us
• Recognize the difference between acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD)
• Review IRIS CKD guidelines and the utility of FGF-23
• Describe the AKI and CKD continuum
• Discuss kidney injury and the value of cystatin B
• Recognize the importance of staging and managing changes in kidney function

Speaker: Joy Bunkley, BS, DVM

Bio: Dr. Bunkley was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. After high school she left home to pursue her childhood dream of becoming a veterinarian. She ventured to the Southeast for her studies to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal and Poultry Science and a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Tuskegee University. After Veterinary school she decided to stay in the south and moved to Duluth, Georgia. There she practiced Small Animal Medicine as an associate doctor for 2 years and later became a Chief of Staff at a Small Animal Practice. After over 5 years in GA she decided to move back home to Los Angeles and continued her work as a small animal GP veterinarian. Dr. Bunkley then ventured into shelter medicine at a local shelter in Los Angeles. There she practiced for 2 years before moving to the prestigious company IDEXX as a Professional Services Veterinarian for the Los Angeles region.

During her free time she still finds joy practicing as a relief doctor around the Los Angeles area. Overall, she has a strong track record of leadership, medical and surgical expertise, and financial acumen. Currently, Dr. Bunkley resides in Long Beach, CA. She is a proud pet parent to Duke, a 5 yr old lovable Rottweiler. In her spare time, Dr. Bunkley enjoys going to the beach, traveling, listening
to live music, and reading.

Targeted Relief:

Allergic Dermatitis Treatment Options Demystified for Daily Practice

***Click Here to RSVP***

With new therapies for our allergic canine patients, the choices can be confusing. This presentation will review the method of actions of our current treatments to help navigate which choice may be the best for each individual patient. We will also discuss Befrena, the newest anti-IL-31 canine monoclonal antibody therapy.

Speaker:  Dr. Amy Anderson, DVM

Bio: Dr. Amy Anderson serves as a Principal Technical Advisor for Elanco in the role of Regional Consulting Veterinarian for Southern California. Dr. Anderson obtained her BS in biology from UCLA and DVM from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Following a one-year internship at Animal Medical Center in New York City, Dr. Anderson relocated to San Diego working as a small animal GP. After 8 years in clinical practice, she joined Royal Canin as a field veterinarian and transitioned to Elanco in 2014. She has a special interest in feline medicine and preventive care. Dr. Anderson continues to practice clinical medicine as a relief veterinarian in San Diego County and is Fear Free certified as well as trained as a Compassion Fatigue Professional. In her free time, Dr. Anderson and her husband enjoy traveling, running, and exploring the outdoors.

Sponsor:

The New Standard of Care:

2025 Veterinary Anesthetic Monitoring Guidelines in Clinical Practice

Please email Teri Fisher directly if you have questions about this event.

***Click Here to RSVP***

Please RSVP by June 5th

**Our sponsor pays per RSVP. If your plans change, please be sure to update your RSVP accordingly so our sponsor will not be charged unnecessarily. If you need assistance prior to the meeting, please contact Teri Fisher at teri.fisher@vca.com

Learning Objectives

• Review major updates from the 2025 ACVAA Small Animal Anesthesia and Sedation Monitoring Guidelines
• Discuss current recommendations for monitoring sedated versus fully anesthetized veterinary patients
• Understand practical applications of capnography and invasive arterial blood pressure monitoring in clinical practice
• Recognize physiologic trends associated with anesthetic complications and patient instability
• Review peri-operative monitoring considerations during recovery and postoperative care
• Briefly discuss perioperative nutritional support strategies to enhance patient recovery

Speaker: Lyon Lee, DVM, PhD DACVAA

Bio: Dr. Lyon Lee, DVM, PhD, DACVAA is a board-certified veterinary anesthesiologist with extensive experience in veterinary anesthesia, analgesia, perioperative monitoring, and critical patient management. He earned his veterinary degree from Seoul National University and completed advanced postgraduate and specialty training through the Royal Veterinary College, University of London. Dr. Lee currently serves as Head Veterinarian at Animal Clinic Western (ACW) in Harbor City, California, where he provides both general practice case management and advanced anesthetic care for routine, complex, and high-risk veterinary patients. His professional interests include improving anesthetic safety standards in clinical practice, advancing practical monitoring strategies for general practitioners, and promoting individualized anesthetic care for medically complex and geriatric patients.

Sponsor:

Don’t Drink That!

A Review of Leptospirosis

**Click Here to RSVP**

Learning Objectives:

• Review the etiology, prevalence and transmission of Leptospirosis
• Understand the clinical presentation, risk factors and diagnostic procedures
• Learn current recommendations for treatment and prevention

Speaker: Andrew Schreibman, DVM

Bio: Dr. Schreibman earned his DVM the College of Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University following undergraduate studies at Columbia University in the City of New York. He completed an internship in Small Animal Medicine & Surgery at the University of Illinois in 1995. Following two years in private practice in New Jersey and California, Dr. Schreibman served as a resident/assistant professor in anatomic pathology at the University of Missouri. He served on the Licensing Examination Committee of the California Veterinary Medical Board. Dr. Schreibman is currently Senior Professional Services Veterinarian for Boehringer-Ingelheim Animal Health in the Southern California & Hawaii district with 25+ years experience in Industrial Medicine spanning Research & Development, International Affairs, Marketing, and Sales. He is passionate about education and evidence-based medicine. Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Schreibman umpires high school football & baseball and runs marathons.

Sponsor:

 Cancer’s Side Hustles:

Paraneoplastic Syndromes in Small Animal Patients

***Click Here to RSVP***

Join us for an engaging and clinically relevant presentation designed for veterinary practitioners and their teams as we explore paraneoplastic syndromes: systemic disorders caused by cancer that occur distant from the primary tumor or metastases.

This session will review the common clinical presentations, diagnostic workup, and treatment considerations for key paraneoplastic syndromes encountered in small animal practice. Attendees will gain practical tools to recognize subtle warning signs and enhance patient outcomes.

Speaker: Amanda Seelman DVM, DACVIM (oncology)

Bio: Dr. Amanda Seelman is a Southern California native, originally from Temecula. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, San Diego and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona. She completed a medical oncology residency at the University of Illinois where she also obtained her Masters of Science in Veterinary Clinical Medicine in 2024. Upon completing her residency, she returned to Southern California, practicing first in the Los Angeles area before joining Veterinary Cancer Group in August 2025. Her medical interests include combination targeted therapy and the biologic behavior of round cell tumors. Dr. Seelman has extensive research experience prior to veterinary school, and she is excited to participate in our clinical trials and teaching programs. Outside of work, Dr. Seelman likes to go on long walks while listening to true crime podcasts, watch documentaries, and go skating at the beach. She shares her life with Lucy, a boisterous Pit Bull mix, who likes keeping Dr. Seelman on her toes.

Sponsor: