Nasal Tumors Made Clear:

Clinical Red Flags, Workup, and Client Communication

***Click Here to RSVP***

Nasal tumors can be challenging, and a clear, efficient diagnostic pathway helps teams move from “nasal signs” to a confident plan. In this case-based session, Dr. Sarah Saad will walk through common clinical presentations, practical differentials, and an approach to initial diagnostics. Attendees will also review treatment pathways, including when radiation therapy is recommended, and how to guide clients through expectations, goals of care, and symptom management when definitive treatment is declined.

What you’ll learn:

• Recognize common presentations and key red flags that raise suspicion for nasal tumors
• Build an efficient initial diagnostic plan and prioritize differential diagnoses
• Interpret case scenarios to determine next steps and referral timing
• Explain treatment pathways clearly, including when radiation therapy is appropriate
• Set client expectations for radiation therapy outcomes, logistics, and goals of care

Speaker: Dr. Sarah Saad, DVM, DACVR (Radiation Oncology)

Bio: Dr. Sarah Saad is a proud UC alum, having attended UC San Diego for her undergraduate studies in molecular biology and history, followed by UC Davis for veterinary school. She completed a small animal rotating internship at the University of Missouri before returning to UC Davis for a residency in Radiation Oncology. She became board-certified and joined Veterinary Cancer Group in 2022.

Her professional interests include head and neck tumors, particularly thyroid and nasal tumors, as well as the role of radiotherapy in immunotherapy and pain management.

In her free time, she enjoys baking, hiking, and exploring international music.

Sponsor:

Product Primer:

Nutrition as a First-Line Treatment for Acute Diarrhea

**Click Here to RSVP**

*Speaker will be virtual with Royal Canin reps present to interact with guests

Speaker: Dr. Stephanie Warren, DVM, Royal Canin Scientific Services Veterinarian

Sponsor:

SCVMA and Hill’s Present:

The Whole Kit and Caboodle:

A Comprehensive Feline Medicine Symposium

**Click Here to Register**

Sunday April 19th 2026 

Provided FREE for SCVMA Members!

9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Doors Open at 8:15 for Registration and Breakfast
**Breakfast and Lunch Included**

6 hours of CA Statutorily Approved CE

Renal. Skin. Urinary. Orthopedics. Neonatal kittens.
Because caring for cats means caring for the whole cat.
Join us for a comprehensive feline medicine deep dive with practical insights you can use Monday morning.

SPEAKERS and TOPICS:

CKD, Phosphorus, & Calcium: A Complex Relationship

&

Managing Senior Cats with Comorbidities: An Integrated Approach

Presented By: Dr. Lisa Restine, DVM, DABVP (Feline)

Bio: Dr. Lisa Restine grew up in New Jersey and earned her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Rutgers University. She received her DVM degree from Western University of Health Sciences in Southern California in 2014. Dr. Restine had been practicing feline medicine exclusively at a cat-only practice in San Antonio, Texas since graduation and achieved board certification with the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in feline medicine in 2020. In 2022, Dr. Restine started work at an ER/Specialty Center and practiced on both dogs and cats in an emergency setting. However, her real passion is feline medicine, and she has dedicated many hours to lecturing other veterinarians on both a national and international level, as well as being a co-editor of a veterinary feline textbook.

Outside of work, Dr. Restine has a strong interest in all things active – she is often found running or hiking and is currently enjoying the challenge of training for a marathon. Caring for her five cats takes up the rest of her time. Dr. Restine is passionate about feline medicine and sharing her love of practice and knowledge to help improve feline care – she is excited to be a part of the Hill’s team as the Associate Feline Professional Veterinary Affairs Manager.

Feline Facial Dermatoses: Getting the Diagnosis on the Nose

Attendees will learn about common dermatologic conditions which manifest with prominent facial lesions. Attendees will also lean preferred strategies for diagnosis, differentiation and treatment of these conditions

Presented By: Dr. Trenton Ewing, DVM, DACVD

Bio: Dr. Ewing received his veterinary degree from Iowa State University before pursuing a rotating internship at IndyVet in Indianapolis, Indiana. He then began his dermatology specialty training with an internship at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and a residency at Animal Dermatology Clinic in Pasadena, California where he still works today. He has published on a variety of subjects including cutaneous lymphoma, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and venomous insect immunotherapy. In his free time, he enjoys judo, watching hockey, and traveling with his wife.

Nutritional Management of Feline Cognitive Dysfunction and Degenerative Joint Disease

Learn about Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) and Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) and the impact these disease processes can have on our pets. This presentation provides clinical signs, tips for diagnosing, and touches on potential treatment modalities. This presentation also discusses numerous research studies and the insights gained from results. Learn how early intervention and nutrition can help improve the lives of aging pets!

Presented By: Anna Biesbrock, MS, DVM

Bio: Dr. Biesbrock (Dr. Bees) is a veterinarian, scientist, and educator dedicated to advancing preventative medicine, public health, nutritional management of health, and mental health awareness within the veterinary profession. A UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine graduate, Dr. Bees is currently a regional veterinarian for Hill’s based out of the greater Los Angeles area. Prior to veterinary school, Dr. Bees obtained a Master of Science in Biology, conducting research in an agricultural entomology lab with her work culminating in a published thesis. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her feline companions, Hazel and Harvey, spending time in her garden, and enjoying the beach whenever possible.

Neonatal Kitten Basics, GI Issues and Cleft Palates in Kittens

Presented By: Hannah Shaw, aka The Kitten Lady

Bio: For those not familiar with Hannah Shaw, better known as “The Kitten Lady”, you can check her out at https://www.kittenlady.org/.

Hannah Shaw is an award-winning kitten rescuer, humane educator, and New York Times bestselling author who has dedicated her life to innovating kitten care and protecting the most vulnerable felines.  Her project, Kitten Lady, provides educational media, training resources, and instructional workshops that help individuals and animal shelters learn how to save the lives of kittens–in a fun and engaging format.

Shaw is the author of Tiny But Mighty (Penguin Random House, 2019), Cats of the World (Penguin Random House, 2024), Kitten Lady’s Big Book of Little Kittens (Simon and Schuster, 2019), Kitten Lady’s CATivity Book (Harper Collins, 2022), the Adventures in Fosterland chapter book series (Simon and Schuster, 2021 – 2025), and Cat Got Your Tongue? (Penuin Random House, 2025).  She has been featured as an expert on Animal Planet and has received several awards for her advocacy work, including the 2019 Cat Advocate of the Year award by ASPCA.

Kitten Lady has amassed a viral social media following of over 4 million engaged cat lovers.  Shaw shares inspiring, instructional and adorable content on her Instagram and Facebook, and a library of educational videos about kitten care through her YouTube channel which are used as a training resource for rescues, shelters, and foster parents across the globe.

Shaw is also the founder of Orphan Kitten Club, a 501(c)3 charitable organization transforming the landscape of kitten welfare in America through shelter grants, ethical pediatric research and the hands-on care of vulnerable neonates.  Since 2019, her nonprofit has provided more than $3 million in targeted funding to shelters to build innovative programs that save little lives.

She lives in California with her husband Andrew Marttila, their cats, and an endless rotation of foster kittens.

Sponsored By:

Acute Pancreatitis in Dogs:

Targeted Therapeutics and Practical Management

**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***

Acute pancreatitis is a common condition in dogs and often presents significant diagnostic and management challenges. Affected patients are painful and clinically variable, owners are understandably anxious, and veterinarians may face uncertainty in choosing the most effective diagnostic and therapeutic path.

This presentation will highlight the latest advances in diagnosing acute pancreatitis and review current, evidence-based recommendations for case management. We will explore the research supporting traditional supportive therapies as well as a targeted treatment option, PANOQUELL®-CA1.

PANOQUELL®-CA1 (fuzapladib sodium for injection) allows veterinarians to offer an innovative solution for the management of clinical signs associated with acute onset of pancreatitis in dogs.

Speaker: Dr. Shereen Burton, MS, DVM

Bio: Dr. Shereen Burton spent her childhood in San Jose, CA where she raised a guide dog for the blind and persistently tried to take home every animal she saw. Throughout middle school and high school, she worked as a veterinary assistant at a local veterinary hospital until leaving for college where she received a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Chico State University. Dr. Burton earned her veterinary degree from Ross University, School of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. After veterinary school she moved to Las Vegas with her husband and began working as an associate in a small animal general practice. She joined the US Army Reserves, Veterinary Corps in 2009 to expand her skillset and give back to our community and country.

Throughout Dr. Burton’s career she has been a Medical Director at The Animal Foundation, a large nonprofit open admission animal shelter, and a Medical Director at a general practice in Henderson, NV. She has also worked at Zoetis as a Professional Services Veterinarian for over 5 years, empowering veterinary hospital teams to feel confident and knowledgeable with products and leadership skills throughout California, Arizona and Southern Nevada.

Shereen currently lives in Henderson, Nevada with her husband Jason and two dogs, Winston Gustavo and Clementine Larue. In her spare time, she loves CrossFit, running, hiking and anything outdoors. She is an avid reader and a Star Wars enthusiast. Dr. Burton is Human-Animal Bond Certified, Fear-Free Certified and is Certified as a Compassion Fatigue Professional. Her mission is to provide education and support to veterinary teams through innovative medical products and the power of the human-animal bond.

Sponsor:

From Parrots to Pythons:

Exotic Animal Patients in GP

*Click Here to RSVP*

Please RSVP by April 15, 2026

This lecture is a deeper dive into the most common exotic patients that will be seen in General Practice. Dr. Pokard will talk about the most common reasons why these animals are visiting the vet and how to properly restrain for an exam.

Location:

OC Veterinary Assistant School- Lake Forest Campus

23161 Lake Center Dr, Lake Forest, CA 92630

Conference Room

Doors Open at 6:00pm

Speaker: Dr. Sydney Pokard, DVM 

Bio: Dr. Sydney Pokard is a small animal and exotics veterinarian. After graduating from WesternU in 2016, she entered private practice, working with small animals, exotics, and wildlife, and joined the teams at two local zoos. After nearly six years at the practice, Dr. Pokard transitioned into relief veterinary work, providing care to exotic animal hospitals, emergency clinics, and wildlife rehabilitation centers both locally and internationally. She is currently pursuing board certification (ABVP) in Exotic Companion Mammals and in June 2024, she opened an open-concept general practice designed to elevate the standard of small animal and exotics care.

Worms Without Borders:

What SoCal Vets Need to Know About Heartworms Today!

***Click Here to RSVP***

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

By the end of this in-depth lecture on Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm) infection, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the latest best practices in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of heartworm disease. The session will also provide valuable insights into the growing prevalence of heartworm infection throughout Southern California, equipping participants with the knowledge needed to better protect their patients and address this increasing regional concern.

Speaker: Amelia Sinkin, VMD, DACVIM (Cardiology)

Bio: Dr. Amelia Sinkin grew up in Oklahoma prior to attending Tufts University, where she received her degree in Biology. She went on to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2012. Following graduation from veterinary school, Amelia completed a one-year rotating internship at Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Center in Rochester, New York. Pursuing her interest in cardiology, she then completed a one-year cardiology specialty internship at Animal Specialty and Emergency Center in Los Angeles prior to completing a three-year cardiology residency at the University of Georgia. While at the University of Georgia, she was selected as an AKC Canine Health Foundation Clinician-Scientist Fellow for her work on canine mitral valve disease.

Clinically, Amelia enjoys working closely with her patients, their families, and their primary care veterinarians to manage chronic conditions such as arrhythmias and heart failure. She also enjoys the diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart conditions.

When not working, Amelia enjoys taking her dog Mackenzie on hikes, biking to the beach, dancing, and knitting (or attempting to, since her cat Coraline can make things difficult).

Sponsor:

Leptospirosis:

Are We Missing Cases?

***Click Here to Register***

During this program, Dr. DeBess will help attendees understand the trends supporting the presence and re-emergence of leptospirosis. This presentation will explore the demographics and risk factors for dogs with leptospirosis. Testing and treatment recommendations will be discussed, as will prevention of the disease. Prevention measures and public health implications for canine leptospirosis will be reviewed with focus and evidence from the Central and Southern California regions.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the evidence for re-emergence of leptospirosis.
• Understand the demographics, risk factors, clinical signs, and outcomes for dogs with
  leptospirosis.
• Describe prevention measures and public health implications for canine leptospirosis.

Speaker: Dr. Emilio E DeBess, DVM, MPVM

Bio: Dr. Emilio DeBess received his DVM and MPVM from the University of California, Davis. Dr. DeBess practiced in a small animal clinic in California while working as an epidemiologist for Modesto, California, in a large outbreak of hepatitis A in humans. He was hired by the Oregon Health Authority and became the state public health veterinarian for Oregon. Dr. DeBess is a past president and board member of the Companion Animal Parasite Council, where he worked on developing prevalence maps for canine influenza and leptospirosis. His emphasis is in infectious and zoonotic diseases and, as one of Oregon’s epidemiologists, has investigated numerous small and large outbreaks of human infectious diseases in the state.

Sponsor:

Targeted Relief:

Allergic Dermatitis Treatment Options Demystified for Daily Practice

***Click Here to Register***

With new therapies for our allergic canine patients, this presentation will help navigate the choices to select the right treatments for the individual patient. We will review the current treatments as well as learn about the newest IL-31 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:

SCVMA and VCA OCVS Present

Anesthesia Monitoring for Technicians

Back By Popular Demand!

In this lecture, we will review machine set up, leak testing, and anesthesia monitoring parameters. This talk is geared towards technicians, but doctors and assistants are welcome to attend.

Thursday May 14, 2026

Dinner Included!

Dinner Served: 6:30pm

Lecture Starts: 7:00pm

Location:

VCA OCVS

3021 Edinger Ave, Tustin, CA 92780

For More Information and to RSVP **Click Here**

Presented By:

Dr. Michael King, DVM, MPH

Bio: Dr. Michael King, a proud Michigan native, earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Michigan State University in 2004. His commitment to healthcare led him to achieve a Master’s of Public Health in 2014 from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. With a wealth of experience in emergency medicine, general practice, and having served as the area Medical Director for VCA on Oahu for five years, Dr. King brings a diverse skill set to the VCA OCVS emergency department.

Beyond the medical realm, Dr. King embraces a balanced lifestyle. During his off-time, he immerses himself in the joys of hiking, yoga, weight lifting, gaming, and spending time with his husband and their lively canine companions—two French Bulldogs named Jack and Violet, as well as black lab puppy Willy.

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:

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: