Connected Veterinary Technology Professors

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Veterinary technologists and technicians have a vital role in providing top quality nursing care and attention to injured and ill animals. From analyzing lab samples to providing postoperative care, vet tech professionals can specialize in a variety of subjects ranging from zoological medicine all the way to dental technology. We’ve highlighted connected veterinary technology professors here who not only have expertise across a variety of disciplines, but who actively participate in community outreach, research, and publishing to further advance the field of veterinary technology, and advocate for and improve animal care. Come meet these top veterinary tech professors and possibly find your next academic inspiration!

Kathleen Bliss

Alfred State

As an assistant professor in Alfred State’s vet tech program, Bliss is both LVT credentialed and has obtained a degree up to the master’s level. She leads the student chapter of the New York State Association of Veterinary Technicians at Alfred State, which is part of the SUNY College of Technology. Bliss has taught at the school for more than 12 years and has previous experience working as an LVT in a vet clinic.

Dr. James Alderson

Cal Poly Ponoma

Dr. Alderson, a Doctor in Veterinary Medicine, or DVM, and program coordinator for the vet tech program at Cal Poly Ponoma in California has included the study of exotic animals aspart of the curriculum. As well, he ensures that vet tech students learn to assist in in tasks such as administering anesthesia, placing in catheters, and helping surgeons. He has been director of the W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center, an Arabian horse-breeding center located at Cal Poly Ponoma, for more than three years, and is responsible for bringing full accreditation to the school’s vet tech program through the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Dr. Jody Rockett

College of Southern Idaho

Dr. Rockett is a professor with the vet tech program at the College of Southern Idaho, with academic training as a DVM. She’s co-authored a number of books including “Restraint and Handling for Veterinary Technicians and Assistants” and “Veterinary Clinical Procedures in Large Animal Practice.” As well, she served as past president of the Idaho Veterinary Medical Association.

Ramona Crane

Colorado Academy of Veterinary Technology

Crane is the program director of the vet tech program at the Colorado Academy of Veterinary Technology and is both a certified veterinary technician, or CVT, and licensed veterinary technician, or LVT. She has worked at the school for nearly four years and before that volunteered with the Colorado Association of Certified Veterinary Technicians. In the past, she’s also been a laboratory manager for the Western Veterinary Conference. Crane has also had significant training working in small animal clinics and assisting with high volume spay and neuter programs.

Dr. Jeff Myers

Colorado Mountain College

Academically trained as a DVM, Dr. Myers teaches at Colorado Mountain College in its vet tech program. He’s been working at the school since 2001 and also works as a veterinarian at the area Aspen/Carbondale Animal Hospitals. Just this summer, he volunteered for a Veterinary Mobile Unit program on Navajo Nation land in the southwest U.S. and spayed or neutered 42 animals in the course of two days.

Dr. Robin Duntze

Jefferson College

Trained as a DVM, Dr. Duntze is a professor in the vet tech program offered through Jefferson College in Missouri, and has taught courses such as veterinary hospital technology and applied pharmacology. Most recently, the school honored her for 20 years of service in the vet tech program. As well, she is a member of a vast number of organizations including the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Association of Veterinary Technician Educators and others.

Dr. Lori Renda-Francis

Macomb Community College
Dr. Renda-Francis is director of the vet tech program available at Macomb Community College in Michigan. Not only is she an RVT, she has obtained a master’s degree in education and a doctoral degree in organizational management, and has worked in the school’s program for 27 years, becoming its director in 1999. She is currently a board member of the Association of Veterinary Technician Educators and has been former president of both the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America and the Michigan Association of Veterinary Technicians.

Frances Turner

McLennan Community College

Turner, a faculty member of the vet tech program at McClennan Community College in Texas, is also a registered veterinary technician, or RVT. She has worked in the veterinary field for almost 30 years, including 13 in a veterinary clinic as head technician. She has served in various positions with the Texas Association of Registered Veterinary Technicians and was selected as a presenter for the fall 2013 Southwest Veterinary Symposium, during which she spoke about animal hematology.

Dr. Joseph Savarese

Medaille College
Trained as a veterinarian, Dr. Savarese teaches in the vet tech program at Medaille College, located in New York. He received his DVM from the University of Parma in Italy, is a member of a number of professional groups, and has been teaching at the school since 1986. He also works as a veterinarian for the Brighton-Eggert Animal Clinic in Tonowanda, N.Y., and does consultation work and surgery for the SPCA of Erie County.

Teresa Sonsthagen

North Dakota State University

Sonsthagen , senior lecturer and co-director of the vet tech program at North Dakota State University, is an LVT and has a bachelor’s degree in science. She teaches about veterinary surgical nursing techniques, veterinary clinical technique and instruments and breeds of animals. She acts as the secretary and treasurer for the Association of Veterinary Technician Educators and is the webmaster for the North Dakota Veterinary Technician Association. As well, she’s co-authored several books including 2010’s “Veterinary Instruments and Equipment: A Pocket Guide.”

Mary Mould

San Juan College
Mould, a registered vet technician, is an instructional specialistin thedistance-learning vet tech program offered through San Juan College, a New Mexico-based school. She teaches both clinical pathology and veterinary radiography and has been in the vet profession for 19 years. She is currently working on her master’s degree in teaching so she that she can provide exceptional instruction to the students she works with.

Elaine Anthony

St. Petersburg College

Anthony has been a professor of veterinary technology for more than 20 years at St. Petersburg College in Florida, teaching animal laboratory procedures and animal nursing and medicine. She is a CVT and has spoken on topics such as cytology, hematology and radiology at various vet tech meetings. Her specialty is radiographic techniques for animals and she pennedthe “Handbook of Radiographic Positioning for Veterinary Technicians”in 2010 and is also a consultant for Nestle Purina.

Dr. Jan Weaver

Tulsa Community College

Dr. Weaveris a DVM who is coordinator for the vet tech program at Tulsa Community College and has been a faculty member for more than 15 years. In celebration of the school’s 10th anniversary of its vet tech program, the Dr. Jan Weaver Veterinary Technology Scholarship was named after her, and is annually awarded to a second year vet tech student. She’s been mentioned several times in Tulsa Pets and serves on the board of directors for Animal Aid of Tulsa.

Dr. Jennifer Wells

University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College
Trainedas a DVM, Dr. Wells teaches in the vet tech program at the University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College, located in Ohio. She has been the department chair since 2008 and a member of the faculty since 2002. Her teaching specialties include clinical chemistry, cytology, hematology, and parasitology among others. She is an active presenter in the regional vet tech community, speaking about the school’s program and the profession, and is a member of organizations such as the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Association for Veterinary Technician Educators.

Methodology

The following criteria were used in compiling this list of professors. Not all criteria below applied to every single professor, but a conscientious effort was made to provide a list of professors meeting several of the qualifying criteria listed below.

  1. Currently teaching: The majority of these vet tech professors are activity involved in hands-on teaching at their vet tech school.
  2. Highly credentialed: Most of these vet tech professors are DVMs and, if not, may be working toward advancing their education.
  3. Professional affiliations or memberships: Many of these vet tech professors are current board members of professional organizations or have been board members in the past.
  4. Leadership roles: Many of these vet techs are leaders in the field, either helping direct the vet tech program at their school, having public articles or books, or otherwise having an effect upon others.
  5. Outreach: Many of these vet tech professors give back to their community through volunteer work, by serving on boards, or taking other steps to promote the career field and training.
Barry Franklin (Co-Founder)

Before co-founding Sechel Ventures Partners LLC, Barry Franklin was a VP at a Silicon Valley software company. Currently, he is an investor and advisor for Impellia. Barry believes that education and lifelong learning are paramount. Barry met his wife at Carnegie Mellon University and they have two beautiful daughters. He also volunteers for various committees at his kids’ high school.