Fur-getful Minds:

Clinical Insights Into Cognitive Dysfunction

in Dogs and Cats

**Click Here to RSVP**

*Note date change- this meeting will be held a week later than normal*

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize common clinical signs of cognitive dysfunction in geriatric dogs and cats
• Understand the diagnostic approach
• Identify treatment options for supportive care

Speaker: Dr. Emily Sun, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology)

Sponsor:

The Next-Generation of Treatment for Allergic Dermatitis

***Click Here to Register***

Allergic skin disease remains one of the most common and frustrating conditions in small animal practice, and treatment failures can have a negative impact on the overall success of the practice, as well as relationships with pet owners. This lecture will provide a review of management of allergic dermatitis in dogs, including flea allergy dermatitis, adverse food reaction, and atopic dermatitis, and compare currently available treatment options. We will take a detailed look at Numelvi, Merck Animal Health’s new JAK inhibitor for the treatment of allergic dermatitis in dogs, including its mechanism of action, clinical indications, safety profile, and integration into existing treatment protocols.

Speaker:  Dr. Sumeet Gupta, DVM

Bio: Dr. Sumeet Gupta joined Merck Animal Health’s Companion Animal team in Southern California as a Professional Services Veterinarian in July 2024, following three rewarding years in private practice in Honolulu. With expertise in practice management, emergency care, and exotic animal medicine, he is passionate about helping veterinarians enhance their practice and improve patient outcomes. A graduate of Ohio State’s Veterinary College, Dr. Gupta first started as an Intern at VCA West LA, then moved into emergency overnight practice, eventually becoming Medical Director for several years. After serving as a PSV for IDEXX Labs during the pandemic in NYC and transitioning to General Practice in Hawai’i, he has returned to Southern California with his husband, Manwé, and their dog, Obiwan Kenobi.

Sponsor:

The Wonderful World of Hemp Cannabinoids in Small Animal Practice

**Click Here to RSVP**

Speaker: Dr.  Joseph Wakslag, DVM, PhD, DACVIM(Nutrition), DACVSMR

Sponsor:

Thriving in a Modern Veterinary Practice:

Filling Up Your Appointment Calendar

***Click Here to RSVP***

**see RSVP link for parking information- click show more**

Are fewer appointments showing up on your practice calendar, even as the demand for high-quality veterinary care continues to grow?

Across practices today, whether solo-doctor clinics or multi-doctor hospitals, maintaining a full appointment book and consistent client engagement is one of the biggest operational challenges. In this session, we’ll explore practical ways to meet pet parents where they are by strengthening your digital presence, re-engaging lapsed clients, and building long-term loyalty with strategies grounded in real-world clinic experience.

You’ll learn how to apply vet-specific technology and data-driven communication tools to attract new pet parents, increase compliance, and lighten the administrative load so teams can focus more on delivering excellent care. Attendees will leave with a clear, actionable roadmap to fill schedules, boost client retention, and enhance the overall health of their practices, all aligned with the shared mission of advancing veterinary medicine and care in our communities.

Speaker: Melissa Tompkins-Lewis, BS, CVPM, PHRca, CCFP

Bio: Melissa started in the veterinary field in 2003 as a vet assistant/receptionist before becoming a practice manager in 2005 after graduating from Cal Poly Pomona with a bachelor’s degree in animal science. She earned her CVPM in 2011, and both her PHRca and CCFP in 2020.

In 2018 she was the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association’s Paraprofessional of the year and in 2015 she was nominated for DVM360’s Practice Manager of the Year.

After working as a full-time practice manager for over 13 years she opened her own consulting company South Coast Veterinary Management Solutions in 2018. She now has the opportunity
to help multiple hospitals all over the country.

She is a published author of multiple articles, and has also spoken at several annual conferences and symposiums. Melissa is highly active within the local veterinary community co-founding the North Orange County Veterinary Hospital manager group, the SoCal Veterinary Manager’s Network, and the Long Beach Area Veterinary Managers Group. She previously served on the SCVMA Board of
Trustees and on the CVPM Board for the VHMA.  She loves helping other managers and team members grow within the veterinary profession. She spends her free time running or walking in 5k’s and half marathons.  She also spends time with her friends and family.  She shares her home with her husband, stepson, and their furry babies.

Sponsor:

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

**CLICK HERE TO REGISTER**

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.

​

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.

​

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

**CLICK HERE TO REGISTER**

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.

​

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.

​

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.

​

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.

Fur Real:
California Practice Act Updates for Veterinarians

***Click Here to Register***

Speaker:  Bonnie Lutz, Esq.

Bio: Bonnie Lutz is a shareholder in the Klinedinst Irvine office. She has been practicing law for 20 years. Prior to becoming an attorney, she was a public health microbiologist for the Orange County Health Department and owned a medical device manufacturing company.

Ms. Lutz’s practice consists of defending veterinarians in litigation and administrative actions in addition to providing general counsel services for humane societies throughout California. Due to her unique practice areas, she has extensive knowledge of the California Veterinary Medicine Practice Act and the laws which regulate humane societies. She is also an experienced litigator and has defended over 500 veterinarians in Veterinary Medical Board actions and also assists other animal rescue organizations.

Ms. Lutz is an accomplished lecturer and writer. She frequently speaks at conferences and seminars held by the SCVMA, CVMA and VetPartners in addition to speaking to veterinary and law students. She has published articles in The Pulse, California Veterinarian and Veterinary Economics and has been interviewed for articles in Sheltering Magazine. She is on the advisory committee of the National Canine Research Council.

Sponsor:

Canine Regenerative Therapy:

Autologous Blood Products

***Click Here to Register***

This lecture will review canine regenerative therapy. Additionally, a review of current literature on validation of different autologous products in canines and felines will be discussed. There will be a review of the current literature on the uses of Platelet Rich Plasma in small animal medicine and an overview of how to perform joint injections for companion animals, as well.

Focus areas include:

• Basic principles of regenerative medicine
• FDA regulations
• Types of autologous blood products
• Types of medical devices necessary for processing autologous blood products, including centrifugation, filtration, and incubation

Speaker:  Katie Marcus, DVM, CVA

Bio: Dr. Marcus is a west coast native and 2005 graduate of Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, with a BS in Biology from University of Puget Sound. She completed an equine medicine/surgery internship at Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center in Los Olivos, CA, before spending 17 years in clinical practice, first as an equine ambulatory practitioner, and then as a small animal veterinarian in both small and large, corporate and private practices in California and Oregon. Dr. Marcus is a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist and is Fear Free Certified with a special interest in pain management and dentistry. Dr. Marcus joined Dechra in January 2023 as a field-based Professional Services Veterinarian for the Pacific Northwest. She lives in Portland, OR, with her family, enjoying all the food and outdoor activities offered by the Pacific Northwest.

Sponsor:

Bites Beyond the Bowl:

A Practical Guide to Feeding Tubes

***Click Here to Register***

This webinar will provide a practical, clinically focused overview of feeding tube use in dogs and cats, including indications, tube selection, and key considerations for each option. We will also review diet selection for enteral feeding, highlighting commonly used nutritional strategies for specific disease conditions. Attendees will gain actionable guidance to support confident decision-making and optimize patient care in cases requiring nutritional support.

Speaker:  Kimberly Oram, BS, RVT, VTS (Nutrition)

Bio: Kimberly Oram, BS, RVT, VTS (Nutrition), earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nevada, Reno, followed by her veterinary technician licensure. She has experience in internal medicine, oncology, and clinical nutrition, and achieved her VTS (Nutrition) in June 2025. Kimberly is passionate about providing practical, evidence-based nutrition education for veterinary teams and pet owners

Sponsor:

Practical Poultry Pearls for Busy Veterinarians

***Click Here to Register***

This webinar provides a practical introduction to backyard poultry for veterinarians who do not routinely work with poultry. Attendees will review key considerations when evaluating backyard flocks and receive guidance on what to ask clients, what to watch for, and where to turn for reliable information.

Speaker:  Valerie C. Marcano DVM, PhD, DACPV

Bio: Dr. Valerie Marcano is a veterinarian-scientist, speaker, and poultry health consultant. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia’s Veterinary Medical Scientist Training Program and a diplomat of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians. Dr. Marcano has experience in research, diagnostics, government, industry, and clinical service, and provides education on backyard poultry medicine, disease prevention, diagnostic strategies, and veterinary access through ValCri Consulting.