HARROGATE, Tenn. — Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) School of Allied Health Sciences hosted its biannual Veterinary Technician Continuing Education Conference in November.

The event featured Dr. Jay Miles associate veterinarian from the Lee County Animal Hospital in Jonesville, Virginia. Miles presented a discussion of the technician’s role in a breeding soundness examination. The other speakers included three licensed veterinary technologists from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM). Nelle Wyatt, LVMT, CPDT-KA, a behavior technician at UTCVM is a certified Fear Free Veterinary Professional and animal trainer. She presented information on the veterinary technician’s role in canine and feline nuisance behaviors. UTCVM Small Animal Physical Rehabilitation Technician Dawn Hickey, LVMT, VTS (Physical Rehab) spoke about physical rehabilitation for the general practitioner and common conditions that respond to rehabilitation. Ashley Cox, LVMT, BS, VTS (Nutrition) is a nutrition technician at UTCVM. She discussed information contained on pet food labels and methods to help with weight loss in pets.

Twenty-three licensed veterinary technicians and technologists attended the event and earned six continuing education (CE) credits. In addition, 15 veterinary technology students attended the conference.

LMU’s Veterinary Medical Technology (VMT) program began in 1985 to meet the increasing demand for licensed veterinary technicians in the region. In 1987, LMU celebrated its first class of graduates from the VMT program. Recognizing the need to provide affordable continuing education to its new alumni, LMU hosted its first Veterinary Technology Continuing Education Conference in 1990.

Hosted during each fall and spring semester, the biannual conference helps licensed veterinary technicians from the tri-state region earn required continuing education hours necessary to maintain licensure. It also serves as an opportunity for current students to interact professionally with graduate veterinary technicians, veterinarians and veterinary industry leaders. The LMU School of Allied Health Sciences will host the next CE conference in the spring of 2019.

LMU’s Veterinary Technology Program is one of just five such programs in the state of Tennessee, and is accredited by the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA).