Veterinary Dentistry: The Essentials

(An Overview of Oral Health in Domestic Canines and Felines)

***Click Here to RSVP***

Attendees will learn an overview of veterinary dental basics for dogs and cats:

• What a normal oral exam looks like
• Triadan system
• AVDC nomenclature
• Diagnostic dental radiographs and how to interpret
• Common diseases/disorders, including missing/impacted teeth, fractured teeth, malocclusion, gingivitis vs stomatitis, and oral masses
• Effective client communication to set owners up for success
• Handy references to have in your practice (books, websites)

Speaker: Dr. Onyx Goins, DVM

Bio: Dr. Goins was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. She obtained her Bachelor’s of Animal Science degree in 2018 from the illustrious Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama followed by her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. During her tenure, she embarked on a zoo and wildlife journey in Nanjing, China researching red-crowned cranes, South Africa in the bush with wild buffalo and impalas, and Zoo Miami in Miami, Florida. It was then that she realized many exotic species, like domestic pets, had damaged teeth and few people able to treat them. Thus, the love for dentistry manifested!

Upon graduation, she completed a 1 year small animal rotating internship at BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital in Clearwater, Florida and a 3-year dental residency program in 2025 at the Center for Veterinary Dentistry and Oral Surgery in Gaithersburg, Maryland under the mentorship of Dr. Kendall Taney. Dr. Goins is currently thrilled in this next stage of her dentistry journey with the ADS family in Tustin! Her primary interests include endodontics, orthodontics, and periodontics with the hopes of incorporating zoo medicine into her treatment rotation in the future.

In her free time, Dr. Goins is an avid foodie, enjoys exercising, hiking, roller blading, and reading. She is accompanied by her husband, beagle mix Calypso, husky Gambit, ball python Barry, and panther chameleon Icarus.

Sponsor:

Thriving in a Modern Veterinary Practice:

Filling Up Your Appointment Calendar

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Please RSVP by March 7th

If you need assistance prior to the meeting, please contact Teri Fisher at teri.fisher@vca.com

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:

Patellar Luxation in Dogs:

Why One Size Doesn’t Fit All

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From this lecture, learners will be able to:

• Define patellar luxation and list the common abnormalities that cause this condition
• Describe how to diagnose patellar luxation
• Become familiar with the treatment options for patellar luxation

Speaker: Dr. Christina De Armond, MVB (Hons), MS, DACVS-SA

Sponsor:

Canine Addison’s Disease:

The Great Pretender

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Objectives:

• Differentiate between the clinical presentations of Addison’s disease
• Recognize common bloodwork abnormalities associated with Addison’s disease
• Choose the appropriate testing to diagnose Addison’s disease
• Explain the treatment options for Addison’s disease
• Understand the long-term management of Addisonian patients

Speaker: Dr. Melissa Chang DVM, Residency Trained in Internal Medicine

Bio: Dr. Melissa Chang earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of California, Davis in 2021. After graduating, she completed a small animal rotating internship, followed by a three-year residency in Small Animal Internal Medicine at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital in San Diego.

During her residency, Dr. Chang received extensive training in abdominal ultrasound and a wide range of endoscopic procedures, including gastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy, bronchoscopy, rhinoscopy, and cystoscopy. She enjoys all facets of internal medicine, with particular interests in immune-mediated diseases, endocrinology, and urinary tract disorders. Dr. Chang is especially passionate about building long-term relationships with her patients and their families.

Outside of work, Dr. Chang enjoys traveling, discovering new restaurants, and spending time with her sweet German shepherd mix, Ellie.

Sponsor:

Thriving in a Modern Veterinary Practice:

Filling Up Your Appointment Calendar

***Click Here to RSVP***

**NEW DATE- PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED 3/10/2026**

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:

Ophthalmology

**Click Here to RSVP**

Speaker: Dr. Ruby Goldenberg, DVM, DACVO 

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.