may 2022
Event Details
No more cat wrangling! Techniques for feline-friendly handling. **Click Here to Register** Approved
Event Details
No more cat wrangling! Techniques for feline-friendly handling.
**Click Here to Register**
Approved for one hour California Statutory Approved CEU
No more cat wrangling! Techniques for feline-friendly handling.
Lecture Description:
Many cats feel fear, anxiety, and stress when being handled and/or approached. The effects of feeling this way can lead to reduced quality of life for the patient and animal care teams, an increase in injury to staff, and make owners less likely to bring their cats in for veterinary visits. Fear, anxiety, and stress can also make veterinary visits more difficult and lead to lower-quality care, fewer diagnostics, and ultimately poorer medical outcomes. This is why it is vital for us to do what we can to limit fear, anxiety, and stress in the cats we are working with and provide consistent, positive human-to-cat social interactions.
In this session, we will discuss tools and handling techniques that can help reduce fear, anxiety, and stress in cats thus making the veterinarian an overall less stressful and happier place for cats, employees, and cat caregivers.
• The effects of fear, anxiety, and stress in cats
• Identify signs of fear, anxiety, and stress in cats
• Understand the potential consequences of force-based handling techniques on cats and humans
• Learn basic handling techniques to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress for cats in veterinary clinics, shelters, and at home
Speaker: Tabitha Kucera CCBC, RVT, KPA-CTP
Bio: Tabitha Kucera is an Elite Fear Free and Low-Stress Handling Certified Registered Veterinary Technician, CCBC, and KPA-CTP. She is the owner of Chirrups and Chatter Cat and Dog Behavior Consulting and Training in Cleveland, Ohio. She enjoys helping people better understand and relate to their animal companions which leads to a stronger bond and a more gratifying relationship between animal and human. She loves educating others through writing, behavior consulting, and lecturing on all things cats and dogs, including feline and canine behavior, working with fearful animals, fear-free handling, and more. She is Fear Free Certified.
Time
(Monday) 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
Zoom
Organizer
Allyne Moon, RVT, CCFP; Elaine Meyers, RVT, CVPMmembershipdesk@scvma.org
Event Details
Veterinary Medical Board Case Handling *Click Here to Register* Approved for one hour California Statutory CEU Please join
Event Details
Veterinary Medical Board Case Handling
*Click Here to Register*
Approved for one hour California Statutory CEU
Please join us for an update on how the Veterinary Medical Board is handing cases and the lawsuits that are occurring.
Speaker: Bonnie Lutz, Esq.
Bonnie Lutz is a shareholder in Kilne Dinst’s 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 Counsel.
Sponsor
Time
(Tuesday) 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Organizer
Dr. Laura Weatherford laurawdvm@aol.com
Event Details
Nutritional Management of Canine Allergic Skin Disease
Event Details

Nutritional Management of Canine Allergic Skin Disease
Approved for one hour California Statutory CEU
Speaker: Stewart Morgan, DVM, PhD, DACVIM(Nutrition)
Bio: Stewart Morgan, DVM, PhD, DACVIM(Nutrition) is the Associate Manager of Scientific Affairs at Hill’s Pet Nutrition. Dr. Morgan is originally from the East Coast and went to Haverford College for his undergraduate degree, Stony Brook University for his PhD, in Genetics, and Cornell University for veterinary school. Dr. Morgan was in practice following veterinary school, for four years doing mixed animal practice in Hawaii. He then returned to do a residency in Comparative Nutrition at Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. For one year following this, he practiced in a feline clinic in Roanoke, Virginia. Prior to joining Hill’s, Dr. Morgan was as Associate Professor in Food Animal Medicine and as a Nutrition content specialist at Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine.
Sponsor
Time
(Tuesday) 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Organizer
Teri FisherTeri.fisher@vca.com
Event Details
Building a Lifeline- Suffering in Silence: OA and Chronic Pain in Cats
Event Details

Building a Lifeline- Suffering in Silence: OA and Chronic Pain in Cats
Approved for one hour California Statutory CEU
**RSVP Here**
Topic: OA and Chronic Pain in Cats
Time: Wednesday, May 11th @ 7:00pm-8:30pm
Place: Pinocchio’s Pizza
1449 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104
Speaker:
Dr. Shereen Burton, MS, DVM graduated from Ross University, School of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. She moved to Las Vegas, NV with her husband and began working as an associate at a small animal hospital. She joined the US Army Reserves, Veterinary Corps in 2009 to build her career and help give back to our community and country. In 2012, Dr. Burton began volunteering and doing relief work at The Animal Foundation, a large nonprofit open admission animal shelter. When the shelter was in need of a Chief Veterinarian, she accepted their offer to join the team full time. Wanting to expand her career, in 2018 Dr. Burton joined Zoetis as a professional services veterinarian. She has been with Zoetis for over 4 years and loves being able to provide education and support to veterinary team members throughout southern California and the Las Vegas Valley.
Sponsored by
Time
(Wednesday) 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
Pinocchio's Pizza, Italian Restaurant
1449 N Lake Ave.
Organizer
Dr. Evelyn Sagastume drevelyn@petsadena.com
Event Details
A Case Based Approach to Canine Chronic Enteropathy and Inflammatory Bowel Disease **Click Here to RSVP**
Event Details
A Case Based Approach to Canine Chronic Enteropathy and Inflammatory Bowel Disease
**Click Here to RSVP**
Approved for one hour California statutory CEU
- Objective statement:
- To understand the etiology and pathophysiology of canine chronic enteropathy (CE)/inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- To review the clinical presentation of Canine CE and how to integrate diagnostic testing and imaging in the diagnostic work-up
- To introduce the veterinary professional to a novel CE/IBD assay that facilitates testing and monitoring for CE/IBD
- To review clinical case examples that illustrate the application and interpretation of the novel canine CE/IBD assay
- To provide guidance in responding to commonly asked questions about CE/IBD
Philip Bosse, DVM
Philip was born and raised in the coastal plains region of North Carolina where he discovered his passion for science and, at an early age, decided to pursue veterinary medicine. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from North Carolina State University while also starting his career as a kennel assistant. Additionally, he became an assistant in a microbiology lab on the veterinary college campus while in undergraduate studies. He learned the fundamentals of research and met many of his soon-to-be mentors. He completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at NC State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008. Immediately following graduation, Dr. Bosse completed a Small Animal Rotating Internship at VCA’s Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center in Norwalk, CT. This granted him invaluable experience and mentorship in multiple disciplines within internal
medicine, emergency, and surgery. Dr. Bosse moved west to the San Francisco Bay area of northern California, where he honed his skills as a small animal veterinarian and diagnostician. He has greatly benefited throughout his time here by having been a long-time associate veterinarian at a DACVIM-owned practice and working closely with specialists of
many disciplines in the area. When not practicing medicine, Philip enjoys spending time outside hiking, fishing, and playing beach volleyball.
Sponsor
Time
(Thursday) 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Organizer
Brian McNamarabrian@msttaxreduction.com
Event Details
APOQUEL and CYTOPOINT: Essential facts, new information, and why it matters
Event Details
APOQUEL and CYTOPOINT: Essential facts, new information, and why it matters
**Click Here to Register**
Approved for one hour California Statutory CEU
Speaker: Dr. Shereen Burton, MS, DVM, FFc, HABc, CCFP
Dr. Shereen Burton, MS, DVM graduated from Ross University, School of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. She moved to Las Vegas, NV with her husband and began working as an associate at a small animal hospital. She joined the US Army Reserves, Veterinary Corps in 2009 to build her career and help give back to our community and country. In 2012, Dr. Burton began volunteering and doing relief work at The Animal Foundation, a large nonprofit open admission animal shelter. When the shelter was in need of a Chief Veterinarian, she accepted their offer to join the team full time. Wanting to expand her career, in 2018 Dr. Burton joined Zoetis as a professional services veterinarian. She has been with Zoetis for over 4 years and loves being able to provide education and support to veterinary team members throughout southern California and the Las Vegas Valley.
Sponsor:
Time
(Thursday) 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
Zoom
Organizer
Dr. Inez Del Pino
june 2022
08jun7:00 pm8:00 pmSan Gabriel Valley SCVMA Chapter Meeting: Wound Complications & HealingWound care
Event Details
Wound Complications & Healing Approved for one hour California Statutory CEU
Event Details

Wound Complications & Healing
Approved for one hour California Statutory CEU
**Click Here to RSVP**
Speaker: Dr. Yaz Aryazand
Dr. Aryazand is a foreign graduate. He obtained his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in Iran and then moved to the United States. He did a post-doc fellowship at Cornell University department of small animal surgery, where he spent a year doing research and published an article on infection rate of TPLO in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA). He completed a small animal medicine and surgery internship at Veterinary Medical Center of Long Island in New York, followed by a specialty surgery internship at Dallas Veterinary Surgical Center in Texas. He is very excited to be part of the VCA West LA team as a surgery resident. He has a keen interest in clinical research and is interested in all aspects of surgery with a particular interest in minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopy, thoracoscopy, arthroscopy, interventional radiology) and fracture repair.
Dr. Yaz lives in LA with his wife (also a veterinarian) and his sassy JackRussel mix dog Soren. He is a professional chess player and you can find him competing in chess tournaments in his free time
Sponsors:
Time
(Wednesday) 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
Pinocchio's Pizza, Italian Restaurant
1449 N Lake Ave.
Organizer
Dr. Evelyn Sagastume drevelyn@petsadena.com
09jun6:30 pm8:30 pmSCVMA Orange County Chapter Meeting: Wound ManagementWound Management
Event Details
Wound Management **Click Here to RSVP** Approved for one hour California Statutory
Event Details
Wound Management
**Click Here to RSVP**
Approved for one hour California Statutory CEU
Lecture:
- Briefly discuss skin anatomy and species differences.
- Talk about types of wounds and the phases of wound healing.
- Discuss some important principles for wound management and reasons behind delayed wound healing.
- Discuss present two cases and how they were successfully managed.
Speaker: Dr. Thomas Keeshen, DVM, DAVS
Dr. Thomas Keeshen graduated from University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine in the top of his class. Following graduation from veterinary school in 2014, he completed a rotating internship and a surgery internship at the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine. He continued to advance his training by completing a three-year surgical residency at Animal Specialty Group in Los Angeles, California. Prior to joining the staff at VSSOC, he was a staff surgeon for 3 years at the largest specialty practice in Australia. He was awarded Diplomate status of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2021.
Dr. Keeshen has extensive experience in a wide variety of orthopedic and soft tissue surgeries. He is specially trained in managing cranial cruciate disease with arthroscopic joint surgery in combination with TPLO in both large and small breeds. His special interests include complex fracture repairs, especially ones involving joints, skin reconstructive surgery for oncologic surgery and wound management, and thoracic surgery for diseases involving the heart, lungs, and other vital organs that travel through the chest. He is also interested in minimally invasive surgery and has published a paper in minimally invasive abdominal surgery in dogs with underlying coagulopathies.
A native Californian with roots in Laguna Beach, Dr Keeshen is an avid surfer.
Sponsors:
Time
(Thursday) 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Organizer
Brian McNamarabrian@msttaxreduction.com
july 2022
Event Details
Nutritional Management of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome Approved for one hour California Statutory CEU **RSVP by
Event Details
Nutritional Management of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome
Approved for one hour California Statutory CEU
**RSVP by email to sgvchapterscvma@gmail.com**
Agenda
7p-7:20 mingle
7:25p announcements
7:30p sponsor introduction
7:35-8:30p presentation
8:30p raffle, question and answer session
Speaker: Dr. Avi Shaprut
Dr. Avi Shaprut originates from Long Island, New York. After graduating Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1998, Dr. Shaprut practiced in New York for 2 years. He then set out for the West Coast, and in 2000 he called San Diego home.
For 16 years Avi enjoyed the challenges of full-time small animal practice. His special interests are nutrition, abdominal ultrasound, cardiology, and internal medicine. When the practice he worked in for 10 years was sold Avi decided it was the perfect time to tackle some new challenges. A long-time proponent of good nutrition, he decided to work for Nestlé Purina PetCare where he now enjoys his position as Veterinary Communications Manager, supporting veterinary teaching hospitals and providing technical support for Purina’s sales consultants. Avi also has a long-standing passion for technology and innovation in the veterinary field and beyond. On weekends he continues to practice as a relief veterinarian in San Diego. He lectures at UC Davis, Washington & Oregon State Universities, Western University, at specialty hospitals, and at multiple regional vet med association meetings.
Avi spends his free time with his wife and two young kids. He enjoys traveling, being outdoors, especially near the ocean, playing soccer with his son, and spending time at the gym. He also attends to the needs and whims of his two rescue dogs, Duke & Storm, and his two cats, Skye & Joey.
Sponsored by:
Time
(Wednesday) 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Location
Pinocchio's Pizza, Italian Restaurant
1449 N Lake Ave.
Organizer
Dr. Evelyn Sagastume drevelyn@petsadena.com
august 2022
10aug7:00 pm8:00 pmSCVMA San Gabriel Valley Chapter Meeting: Feline HypertensionFeline Hypertension
Event Details
Feline Hypertension Talk touches on the pathophysiology and importance of identifying hypertensive patients.
Event Details

Feline Hypertension
Talk touches on the pathophysiology and importance of identifying hypertensive patients. Groups at risk for elevated blood pressure are defined. Emphasis is placed on proper measurement and treatment strategies for control of hypertension.
Approved for one hour California Statutory CEU
RSVP by Email: sgvchapterscvma@gmail.com
Dr. Mark Acierno, MBA, DVM, DACVIM
Mark Acierno received his DVM from Mississippi State University. After an internship in small animal medicine and surgery, he completed an internal medicine residency at Tufts University in 2004. Dr. Acierno spent 12 years at the Louisiana State University developing one of the most advanced nephrology programs in the world. As of Janurary 2017 he is proud to call Midwestern University in Phoenix Arizona “home.” His clinical and research interests include hypertension, kidney disease and renal replacement therapies. He also maintains a special interest in personal finance as it relates to veterinarians.
When he is not treating patients at the Midwestern University clinic, teaching in the classroom, or working in his labratory, Dr Acierno can be found lecturing internationally on topics relating to urology and nephrology. He also manages the veterinary financial blog “The PocketDVM” and lectures on topics related to DVM personal finance.
Sponsor
Time
(Wednesday) 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
Pinocchio's Pizza, Italian Restaurant
1449 N Lake Ave.
Organizer
Dr. Evelyn Sagastume drevelyn@petsadena.com
september 2022
Event Details
Surviving Clients While Maintaining Sanity Approved for one hour California Statutory
Event Details

Surviving Clients While Maintaining Sanity
Approved for one hour California Statutory CEU
RSVP by Email: sgvchapterscvma@gmail.com
Speaker: Melissa Tompkins, BS, CVPM, PHRca
I am a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager, I am credentialed in HR for California (PHRca), and I am also a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional.
I am very active within the veterinary profession and was the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association’s 2018 Paraprofessional of the year.
In 2011 I co-founded the North Orange County Veterinary Hospital manager’s group. I help organize our monthly meetings and help provide quality education to our local managers. I love helping other managers and team members grow within the veterinary profession.
I have published multiple articles in DVM360.com, Veterinary Team Brief, and veterinary economics. I have been a speaker at multiple conferences and symposiums, including ASEC’s Annual Symposium, California Veterinary Specialists Management/Technician Spring forum & Symposium, and Fur Paws Consulting Training Symposium. I have also been a featured speaker on how to create a Cat Friendly Practice with Ceva Animal Health and at the 2016 AVSG Wet Lab. Recently I was a speaker at Oklahoma’s Veterinary Medical Conference in Oklahoma City!
Becoming a veterinary practice consultant allows me to do what I love best, which is helping other veterinary professionals grow their business.
Sponsor:
Time
(Wednesday) 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
Pinocchio's Pizza, Italian Restaurant
1449 N Lake Ave.
Organizer
Dr. Evelyn Sagastume drevelyn@petsadena.com
october 2022
12oct7:00 pm8:00 pmSCVMA San Gabriel Chapter Meeting: Seizures-Diagnosis & Management
Event Details
Seizures-Diagnosis & Management Approved for one hour California Statutory CEU RSVP by email: sgvchapterscvma@gmail.com
Event Details
Seizures-Diagnosis & Management
Approved for one hour California Statutory CEU
RSVP by email: sgvchapterscvma@gmail.com
Speaker: Dr Clarisa Robles
Originally from Pasadena, Clarisa attended University of California, San Diego, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Animal Physiology and Neuroscience in 2002. After working in a small animal clinic in San Diego for a few years, she attended University of California, Davis, graduating in 2008 with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.
From there, Clarisa went on to complete a rotating internship at Veterinary Medical and Surgical Group (Ventura, CA) in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery. After that, this California girl moved out to Minnesota where she completed a Neurology/neurosurgery residency and learned how to live in the cold!
Along with her great technical training, Clarisa offers wonderful communication skills and a fondness for building close relationships with referring veterinarians and her patients’ families. She finds such collaboration allows for the best possible patient and client care. Her interests include inflammatory brain disease as well as spinal and intracranial surgery.
At home in Pasadena, Clarisa can be found out with her golden retriever Saffron, hiking, or exploring new restaurants.
Sponsor:
Time
(Wednesday) 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
Pinocchio's Pizza, Italian Restaurant
1449 N Lake Ave.
Organizer
Dr. Evelyn Sagastume drevelyn@petsadena.com
november 2022
09nov7:00 pm8:00 pmSan Gabriel Valley SCVMA Chapter Meeting: OncologyOncology
Event Details
Oncology Approved for one hour California Statutory CEU RSVP by email: sgvchapterscvma@gmail.com
Event Details
Oncology
Approved for one hour California Statutory CEU
RSVP by email: sgvchapterscvma@gmail.com
Speaker: Dr. Vincent Baldanza, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)
Dr. Vincent Baldanza was born and raised in northern New Jersey. He graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Delaware, where he studied Animal Science and spent semesters studying abroad in Australia and Italy.
Dr. Baldanza graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania. After graduating from veterinary school, Dr. Baldanza completed a one-year small animal rotating internship at the University of Minnesota. He then went on to complete a three-year residency in medical oncology at Cornell University, where he was selected as an American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation Clinician-Scientist Fellow for his research in canine osteosarcoma.
Upon completion of his studies, Dr. Baldanza moved to Los Angeles and worked with the Veterinary Cancer Group for several years before joining the ACCESS team at their new Pasadena hospital.
Dr. Baldanza is a board-certified specialist in medical oncology and his special interests include treatment of lymphoma, mast cell tumors, osteosarcoma, novel therapeutics, and palliative care.
Outside of work, Dr. Baldanza enjoys exploring the food and drink scene in Los Angeles, attending concerts and live theater, relaxing out in the desert, and traveling with his partner. Their family of rescues include a Great Pyrenees/Golden Retriever mixed breed dog named Otis, a long-haired tabby cat named Milo, short-haired calico, tortie, and tabby cats named Chicklette, Taffy, and Morty, and a Persian mixed breed calico cat named Edie.
Sponsor
Time
(Wednesday) 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
Pinocchio's Pizza, Italian Restaurant
1449 N Lake Ave.
Organizer
Dr. Evelyn Sagastume drevelyn@petsadena.com