Congratulations to NYSAVT Member, Denise Lenhart, BS, LVT for her new publication in East Fishkill Living ahead of National Veterinary Technician Week!

Take a look at the article here: Understanding Your Pet's Physical Examination

Attention NYSAVT Members!

National Veterinary Technician Week is October 11-17, 2020 and we are ready to celebrate! 

To mark this exciting week and to continue our 50^th  Anniversary celebration, we are offering to all of our members our 2020 Virtual Seminar series at a drastically discounted price of $50 for NYSAVT members who purchase the Virtual Seminar series between October 11-17, 2020.  **

Buy the 2020 Virtual Seminar Series Here!

SAVE THE DATE: Join us on Thursday, October 15 at 8:00 p.m. for a virtual happy hour.  We have some fun activities planned and look forward to having you join us.  Register to attend here!

We hope you will celebrate with us on Facebook and share your favorite memories, stories and reasons why you are #ProudlyLVT.  We have created a special Facebook Profile Frame that you can use to celebrate this week and every week! Access it here! (link now active)

Facebook Schedule of Events

Sunday: Selfie Sunday – Happy National Veterinary Technician Week!  Let’s start off the week celebrating you and your animals.  Take a selfie with your pet(s) and tag us.

Monday: Monday Motivation – We’re looking for what you use to motivate yourself during the late nights on call, study sessions, and more.  Share with us your reasons why you are #ProudlyLVT

Tuesday: Tip Tuesday – A lot of people recently became pet owners this past year – what is one tip you want to share?  Ours is: Develop a relationship with your LVT! #ProudlyLVT

Wednesday: Wellness Wednesday – Decision fatigue, compassion fatigue, loneliness, isolation, all of this and more has being weighing on us these last few months.  What is one thing you do to make sure you take care of yourself? 

Thursday: Throwback Thursday – As NYSAVT celebrates 50 years, we hope you will be able to share some #throwbackthursday photos with us from your first days as an LVT.  #ProudlyLVT

Friday: Funny Friday – Ok we’re ready, it’s time to share your favorite funny stories. 

Saturday: Shoutout Saturday – It’s time to give kudos to our hardworking LVTs and members.  Tag your LVT friends and why they are #ProudlyLVT

We look forward to celebrating with you all this week and hopefully seeing some of you on Thursday!

Best,

The NYSAVT Board of Directors and Staff

**Disclaimer:  To access the $50 pricing for 17 Continuing Education Credits, your NYSAVT membership must be current and you will receive a unique code within 24 hours giving you full access to the sessions until June 13, 2021.

June 9, 2020

Today we are voicing our unequivocal commitment to stand in solidarity with our African American members and the African American community and are united in the fight against persistent and systemic racism, violence and racial injustice that disproportionately impact communities of color. We call upon our members to do the same because Black Lives Matter. 

Veterinary Medicine is one of the least diverse professions, with people of color comprising only 9% of the entire veterinary profession.  However, we serve a richly diverse public representing myriad ethnic, national, socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. What impacts society at large impacts us as a profession, and racism, racial injustice and racist violence are an all-too-real reality for African Americans and other people of color.  In the wake of the horrific murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and sadly, too many others, passive observation and quiet disapproval are no longer options. Standing on the sidelines serves only to embolden the forces that drive inequality and systemic intolerance. We must instead stand in the gap. It is incumbent on us collectively as members to not only condemn but to also call out racial injustice in all its forms everywhere. Individually, we must examine our own beliefs and make concerted and constructive steps in our personal lives to be part of the solution.

A portion of our oath as Licensed Veterinary Technicians states that we dedicate ourselves to ‘aiding animals and society by providing excellent care and services for animals, by alleviating animal suffering, and promoting public health.’ Racial injustice and violence against people of color are public health crises.  When our patients hurt, we help heal. That is compassionate humanity.  If we collectively disagree with inhumanity to animals, why would we ever put up with inhumanity to people?

The roots, manifestations and ramifications of racism are painful and far-reaching.  But we must have the difficult conversations - with others and introspectively, with ourselves.  The New York State Association of Veterinary Technicians is committed to doing everything in our power to demonstrate our unwavering support for the entirety of our African American membership and the larger African American veterinary community across the country.  We hope you will join us in this call to action.

Listen, Learn, Amplify, Act.

Please consider the resources below to help expand your understanding and empower yourself to be part of the solution:

READ

• Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi
•  How to Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
•  White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo, Ph.D. https://youtu.be/45ey4jgoxeU
•  Race Talk and the Conspiracy of Silence:  Understanding and Facilitating Difficult Dialogues on Race (Paperback) by Derald Wing Sue
• Benign Bigotry: The Psychology of Subtle Prejudice (Paperback) by Kristin J. Anderson
•  An Anti-Racist Reading List compiled by Ibram X. Kendi for The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/29/books/review/antiracist-reading-list-ibram-xkendi.html
•  7 Anti-Racist Books Recommended by Educators and Activists (New York Magazine) https://nymag.com/strategist/article/anti-racist-reading-list.html

LISTEN (PODCASTS)

• The Stoop
•  Our National Conversation About Race 
•  Intersection with Jamil Smith
•  Code Switch

WATCH

• Professor Megan Ming Francis on Getting to the Root of Racial Injustice
  (20 mins): https://bit.ly/30zHSEj
•  Heather C. McGhee on the Economic Impact of Racism (14 mins) - https://bit.ly/2zgSXyB
•  Luvvie Ajayi on Getting Uncomfortable and Learning to Speak Up (11 mins) - https://bit.ly/2XLKZHl

Dear NYSAVT Members & Friends:

We hope you are well and safe. To ensure the safety and health of our staff and in compliance with Federal, State and local directives, on March 17, 2020 NYSAVT converted to remote operations. We are fully able to continue our operation and we are here to provide our members with uninterrupted service as our nation combats COVID-19/Coronavirus.

To assist our members, working in conjunction with our Management Services partner, CHMS, we have assembled this COVID-19 Resource Center to provide you with the latest information, guidance and resources in relation to COVID-19.

Below, you can find links to summaries of Federal and New York State actions and their resources that may be of assistance to you.  You can also find this information on the NYSAVT website, wehich will be updated regularly. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@nysavt.org.  We have also supplied information from AVMA to review as well.

GOVERNMENT RESOURCES & INFORMATION IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19:

Interim Guidance for Animal Care Operations, from NYS Ag & Markets
U.S. Federal Government
New York State Government

NYSAVT COVID-19 Resource Page

Recent developments with respect to the COVID-19 virus (Coronavirus) and concern for our community’s safety have led the New York State Association of Veterinary Technicians to make the difficult decision to postpone our 2020 Spring Seminar.

Over the last week, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has declared a state of emergency for New York State as the number of coronavirus cases in the State has risen, with schools closing for the upcoming weeks.

Many companies are restricting travel or have asked employees to work from home. In the coming weeks the uncertainty and potential travel restrictions may severely impact our ability to deliver the full value of what this conference has become to the NYSAVT. NYSAVT’s top concern is the health and safety of our attendees, speakers, sponsors, colleagues and exhibitors.

Given these circumstances and our goal to deliver a quality program to our community, we have made the decision to postpone the event.

We will be providing updates on our website and through social media this week. Please stay tuned.

Thank you and stay healthy!

NYSAVT Board of Directors and Staff

Congratulations to NYSAVT Member, Denise Lenhart, BS, LVT for her new publication in East Fishkill Living ahead of National Veterinary Technician Week!

Take a look at the article here:  Getting to Know Your Veterinary Technician

A Letter from the NYSAVT President…

2019 has been a year of growth and adjustment for NYSAVT. As is the case for many things in life, true growth doesn’t come without some degree of challenge, but what often results from the journey is a better outcome.  For NYSAVT, the last 12 months has brought changes in association management, board members and strategy for reaching more of our constituent LVTs across the state.

Following the 2019 Spring Seminar, the executive board engaged in extensive discussion and analysis of where the association stood in terms of membership outreach, partnerships and initiatives with allied veterinary associations and messaging, and determined that a change in association management was necessary for advancing the mission of advocating for and representing licensed veterinary technicians on a wider scale across the state.  NYSAVT has partnered with Capitol Hill Management Services, a proven national leader in association management to help improve administrative and membership services.   

A call for nominations and elections were held in June.  NYSAVT is happy to welcome Alyse Retallick, BS, LVT as its newly elected Secretary. Alyse is part of the professional staff in the Veterinary Technology Science program at SUNY Delhi and has served as the program’s NYSAVT Student Chapter Advisor for several years.  Alyse replaces Denise Lenhart, BS, LVT who will serve as NYSAVT Co-District Representative for the Mid-Hudson region along with Donna Meier, BS, LVT who recently completed her term as NYSAVT Immediate Past President.

2019-20 NYSAVT Executive Board

 President:            Garnetta Santiago, MA, LVT

Vice President:   Sara Zingaro, MS, LVT

Secretary:           Alyse Retallick, BS, LVT

Treasurer             Thomas Heckel, BS, LVT

Additionally, Ann Wagner, LVT was appointed NYSAVT District Representative for the Western District, encompassing Allegheny, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara and Wyoming counties.

Over the last year NYSAVT committed resources and efforts to grow awareness of and advocate on behalf of NYS LVTs in several ways:

Promoting public awareness of the role of LVT on the veterinary healthcare team:

•  Booth presence at the 5^th Annual Puppy Up (New Paltz, NY – Sept 2018) to promote the role of veterinary technicians in treating canine cancer patients;
• Participants in the Kingston Sunrise Rotary’s 3^rd Mutt Strutt, in conjunction with the SUNY Ulster Vet Tech Program;
• Promoted Veterinary Technician careers at 5 high school career fair events

Advocating for protection of NYS LVTs

•  Reiterated NYSAVT’s Official Statement regarding the Veterinary Nurse Initiative to NAVTA

Rebuilding partnerships and communications with NYSVMS:

•  Recognizing that while we are separate entities, we are mutually dependent and critical to the advancement of veterinary medicine in New York State

Supporting NYS Veterinary Technician Students:

•  Hosted 2^nd annual NYSAVT Student Summit at SUNY Delhi, a day-long, student-only event designed to give students opportunities to network, participate in professional development discussions and learn from technicians currently serving in a variety of areas of veterinary medicine.

Long-term Planning:

•  Dates and locations have been secured for the 2020, 2021 and 2022 Spring Seminars, which serves to provide advanced notice and planning opportunities to members about speakers and topics. 

There are boundless opportunities for us as a profession.  And my faith in our shared ability to raise public awareness of the crucial position we hold as gatekeepers of animal and public health is as strong as ever.  Ours is not a profession without issues, but our collective dedication to excellence in veterinary care, research, education and industry means we don’t give up.   New York State’s mandated legislative guidelines and protections for our title, scope of practice and profession provides us with a framework within which we can boldly move forward.  NYSAVT is and always will be committed to upholding and advocating for the enforcements provided LVTs. 

I am immensely honored to serve our association and members in this capacity.  But I also recognize that an Executive Board of four dedicated individuals can’t do all the work that needs to be done. Have ideas?  Interested in serving as a District Rep?  Email or call – this is your state association!  Get involved!

While attending the pinning ceremony for the Alfred State College 2019 Veterinary Technology Program graduating class in May, I felt a deep sense of excitement for the future of our profession watching the students being recognized individually and taking their oath.  Our new graduates across the state embody the promise of continued advancement and excellence and as New York State Licensed Veterinary Technicians, we should all be proud to celebrate in that! 

Excelsior!

Garnetta Santiago, MA, LVT

The Board of Directors is pleased to announce that the New York State Association of Veterinary Technicians has selected Capitol Hill Management Services as the new firm for managing the association. "We are pleased to have a proven national leader in association management to help NYSAVT improve our association's administrative and membership services, grow our membership, and increase awareness of our organization across New York State," said Board President Garnetta Santiago, MA, LVT.

"Through its committed members and outstanding programs, the New York State Association of Veterinary Technicians represents, promotes and protects the licensed veterinary technician profession," said John A. Graziano, Jr., President of Capitol Hill Management Services. "We are pleased to work with the association's dedicated Board of Directors and volunteers in ensuring a successful future for this professional organization that plays an important role in the health of animals and advocates for a rewarding career in animal health."

The new NYSAVT State Office operation begins on June 1, 2019. Below please find a complete list of new office contact information and personnel. We ask you to update your records.

NYSAVT Contact Information Updates

Our phone number has changed: 518.694.0761  Please note!

Our fax number has changed: 518.463.8656  Please note!

Our general email will be: info@nysavt.org   Please note!

Our new mailing address is:  Please note!
230 Washington Avenue Extension
Suite 101
Albany, NY  12203-5319

Our online services continue at: www.nysavt.org

We also want to introduce our new Executive Director, Victoria Palasieski, CMP.

Victoria Palasieski is an experienced and talented Association Manager at Capitol Hill Management Services where she is recognized for her strong leadership, outstanding communication skills, and ability to meet organizational goals and objectives. Victoria looks forward to working with the NYSAVT Board of Directors, Committee Chairs, volunteers and the membership. Victoria is supported by a talented team of professionals as part of our new State Office operations.

In the weeks ahead, we will be providing you with further information about our new office changes--stay tuned.

Congratulations to NYSAVT Member, Denise Lenhart, BS, LVT for her new publication in East Fishkill Living ahead of National Veterinary Technician Week!

Take a look at the article here: Understanding Your Pet's Physical Examination

Congratulations to NYSAVT Member, Denise Lenhart, BS, LVT for her new publication in East Fishkill Living ahead of National Veterinary Technician Week!

Take a look at the article here: Understanding Your Pet's Physical Examination

NYSAVT Looking for Volunteer Leaders! Help Us Position Our Association for a Successful Future!

Nominations Now Being Accepted for Board Service
We are also looking for members to help us at the local level.

NYSAVT is looking to its future--and we need leaders to help us advance our mission!

Nominations for the Board of Directors

The association is issuing a call for nominations for members interested in serving on the NYSAVT Board of Directors.

The following positions are up for election in the 2019 cycle:

• President (incumbent is eligible for a second term)
  • Supervises and directs the affairs of the Board and Council
  • Presides at meetings of the Board and general membership
  • Must have served at least one term on the Executive Committee in the term preceding election to the office and have been a member of NYSAVT for a minimum of 4 years.
• Treasurer (Incumbent is eligible for a second term)
  • Shall be responsible for the conduct of the financial affairs of the association
  • Shall have the associations accounts reviewed annually
  • Shall present a report at the annual business meeting consisting of the current financial status of the association and the budget for the upcoming year
  • Any member in good standing who has been an active member of NYSAVT for a minimum of 2 year may be nominated to serve
• Secretary (Open Seat)
  • Shall compile the minutes of meetings of the Board and the general membership
  • Shall be responsible for notifying members of all business meetings
  • Shall be responsible for the totaling and keeping on file, all ballots and notifying the Board and general membership of voting results
  • Any member in good standing who has been an active member of NYSAVT for a minimum of 2 years may be nominated to serve

Nominations for candidates is open to licensed members in good standing.

The deadline for submitting nominations is Monday, June 17^th. To submit a nomination, please completed our new online form, available here. The slate of nominations will be presented to the entire membership for review and vote on Monday, June 24^th. 

Looking for Local Leaders

NYSAVT recognizes that there is strength in numbers--and we want to make sure that the association is connecting with our members at the local level--our Districts. We are seeking volunteers who would like to work with the Board of Directors and Staff in rejuvenating NYSAVT's Districts. First we need to create a cadre of volunteers.

What do District Representatives do?

• Assist in planning and offering continuing education and networking events in their area
• Encourage new membership and participation in NYSAVT
• Provide updates to the Board of Directors
• Shall be a member in good standing from each of the designated areas, to serve a term of appointment of one year and shall be eligible for reappointment

If you would like to be considered, please complete this online form (HERE) - and we will follow-up with you.

Our goal is to hold a virtual meeting with all interested professionals and discuss how to move District revitalization forward.

WE NEED YOU!

Nominate a worthy colleague! Nominate yourself! NYSAVT is on the move--and we want you to be part of all the exciting happenings! Act today!

I am profoundly honored to serve as a voice for New York State Licensed Veterinary Technicians in this capacity along with our fellow new Executive Board members. This responsibility is not one I take lightly. Fourteen years ago I took a leap of faith and left the world of Wall Street finance to finally pursue the passion for veterinary medicine that I’d held since childhood. Over that time and through various positions in the field, I’ve met hundreds of technicians and have become familiar with the myriad roadblocks that affront and attempt to derail this profession we collectively share. The economics of veterinary medicine, underutilization of technicians, and illegal utilization of unlicensed individuals are but a few. To some, these challenges are viewed as limiting factors or insurmountable obstacles. But to others, they represent opportunities to think outside the box, apply novel ideas and tactics and challenge the status quo. NYSAVT chooses to do the latter and is well positioned as the voice for New York LVTs on a state and national level. As succinctly stated in its mission: NYSAVT “represents, promotes and advances” our profession. Through legislative action, education and public awareness initiatives, our association has raised the visibility of and given voice to the critical position we hold as key drivers in veterinary medicine. But there’s so much more to do. Whether you serve the profession in clinical practice, research, industry, shelter, government, academia or another area, you carry the distinction of being on the forefront of animal and public health. That’s big and you should own it proudly.
It is also vitally important to increase public awareness of that truth. As your Executive Board, one of our highest priorities is to accomplish that very goal through instituting a multi-year, multi-faceted public awareness campaign aimed directly at pet parents and consumers. I’d like every New Yorker to know exactly what LVTs do, why we matter more to them and the health of their pet than they realize, and why they should ask for LVTs at every veterinary hospital they use. A few of the channels we’re exploring for public outreach include:

• Securing an Official Proclamation establishing an annual New York State LVT Week;
• Exploring opportunities for PSAs through public radio;
• Collaborating with State VMS on initiatives that bring high visibility to our shared interests
• Expanding NYSAVT’s presence at consumer-focused and pet friendly events (ex. Mutt Struts, etc.)

When I addressed the General Meeting attendees at the 2017 Spring Seminar in April, I reminded everyone that NYSAVT doesn’t belong to the Executive Board, it belongs to ALL of us - every single Licensed Veterinary Technician and Veterinary Technician student in this state. NYSAVT is a member-based organization, and NYSAVT needs YOU. The success of this association collectively belongs to all of us. I encourage you to get involved - there are so many opportunities for investing in the one professional association that’s working tirelessly to support and protect our profession. Have ideas, suggestions, input, comments, or complaints? Speak up - we want to hear from you!
Finally, when I reflect on all I’ve accomplished professionally what I am most proud of is being a veterinary technician. Whether it was working on that acute renal failure dog and watching him improve and go home, or staying late to help one of my students with difficult course work, or doing outreach for technicians across the country – it has all been the most meaningful and gratifying work. It’s not always easy – in fact, I say with certainty that it’s been the hardest job I’ve ever had - but I know that I share the same sense of pride as thousands of other technicians. And so should you. Own your professional experiences and everything that encompasses. Keep the good, learn lessons from the bad and never, ever cease striving for excellence. After all, we are New York State Licensed Veterinary Technicians. WE are NYSAVT.

Excelsior!

Garnetta Santiago, MA, LVT
President, New York State Association of Veterinary Technicians

Download the poster HERE

Download the flyer HERE

Since hearing of this proposal the NYSAVT’s Executive Officers and Executive Director have been
consulting with legal counsel and legislative resources to discuss the feasibility of NAVTA’s initiative in
our state. Initial feedback indicates that this initiative is very unlikely to happen in New York. Some of
the concerns mentioned included:

     If the nurses don’t agree to a change in title, there are over 381,000 nurses licensed in NYS.
     There are 4,768 Licensed Veterinary Technicians. Could we compel state government to grant a
     title change given the number of professionals affected?

     IF the nurses agreed to a change in title, would they require input on credentialing standards?

     How much could this cost for a change in title and practice of both professions (a title change
     would require a change in language in both the nursing and veterinary technology title and
     practice acts)

      o 3 years $75,000

      o 10 years $250,000

We have reached out the NYS Nurses Association to discuss whether they would support or oppose any attempts at modifying their title and practice act. We would like to know their position since they would be most strongly affected by a change in title. Those conversations are ongoing and we will update our members with any new information. We will continue to consult with legal and legislative
representatives to ensure the best interests of our members are being represented.

As your state association, we will support initiatives and endeavors that seek to strengthen the
profession, increase visibility and enhance working conditions.  At this time we have more questions
about the initiative than we have answers. While NAVTA researches the initiative we will continue to
use our resources to support our members and the LVTs in our state.

In the meantime, we ask that you stand with us and wait for more information before deciding that a
change in title is the solution. We do not believe that a change in title will provide enhanced patient
care. We believe that our efforts on behalf of technicians, students and consumers support enhanced
patient care. We believe that our fight for mandatory continuing education supports enhanced patient
care. We believe that providing resources for our members, combating the employment of unlicensed
personnel, working with local Vet Med Society chapters and having a voice on the New York State Board for Veterinary Medicine supports enhanced patient care.

We believe that no matter what we are called, strength of the profession comes from within. It is not
what they call you, but how you make them feel that will make a lasting impression. We must use our
resources to continue to educate consumers about our important role on the veterinary team, we must
support each other by ending the practice of employing unlicensed personnel to complete tasks that are reserved for an LVT, and we must take pride in who we are and what we do. We are proud to be your state association and we are proud to represent and support you.

Please feel free to contact us with questions.