Who We Are

The ABVTA Staff and Board of Directors value approachability by being available, openminded and welcoming to all our members. We demonstrate integrity by being honest, reliable, respectful and ethical in our approach to animals and people. We demonstrate professionalism by our dedication to excellence in the veterinary field. Teamwork is the foundation of our ability to provide compassionate and exceptional animal health care.

The ABVTA was founded to provide member services such as, continuing education, public awareness and to promote animal care and welfare. The ABVTA is a non-profit, non-union, member driven organization led by a Board of Directors whose emphasis is on the advancement of animal health technology as a profession so that its members may better serve the industry.

The ABVTA Board consists of the following: President, Past President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and 3 – 6 General Directors. All Directors elected may serve three consecutive two-year terms with the exception of the Vice President. This individual will serve consecutively as Vice President, President and Past President for a 3-year term in addition to previously served time as a General Director. Other positions on the Board include liaison to the standing committees and special project chairperson. All Directors contribute to the month-to-month administration, policy development, development and delivery of member services, as well as the annual and future strategic planning of the ABVTA’s activities.

2024 ABVTA Board of Directors:

ABVTA Executive:


President
Angela Denbow, RVT


Vice President
Karen Langtved, RVT


Treasurer
Shea Lee, RVT


Secretary
Karen Melnyk, RVT

Directors at Large:


Director, Student Liaison
Kate Simon, RVT, VTS (ECC)


Director, PR Committee Liaison
Rhonda Browning, RVT


Director, CE Committee Liaison
Treena Barnett-Ritcey, RVT


Director
Jade Maser, RVT


Director
Shelby Bennett, RVT


ABVMA Council Rep
Dr Jodie Viste, RVT

Ex-Officio:

ABVTA Past President
Darryl Haugen, RVT


Executive Director
Vanessa George, RVT


ABVTA Board Rep to ABVMA Council
Angela Denbow, RVT


ABVTA Board Rep to CanWest Selection Committee
Darryl Haugen, RVT


ABVTA Board Rep to ABVMA HR Committee
Darryl Haugen, RVT

Continuing Education

These enthusiastic people help to organize current and future CE events. The volunteers help make events successful by developing topics, surveying members, booking speakers, marketing events and much more. The CE Committee consists of a Chairperson and ten regional representatives.

2024 Continuing Education Committee:

  • Board Liaison: Treena Barnett-Ritcey, RVT
  • Chair: Taylor Bachynski, RVT
  • Vice Chair: Courtney Ziegler, RVT
  • Committee Members:
    • Jamie Skish, RVT
    • Sujata Bagwe, RVT
    • Tracy Kuhn, RVT
    • Kelsey Gray, RVT
    • Connie Varnhagen, RVT
    • Keanna Gorgichuk, RVT

    • Shelby Bennett, RVT

Member and Public Relations

These creative individuals have a special interest in promoting and recognizing ABVTA members, writing and designing brochures, flyers or educational materials, as well as attending trade shows at industry and public events to promote the role and training of the animal health technologist (veterinary technologist). Member and Public Relations Committee volunteers promote our programs and services at public, industry and association events. Some of the publications we work with are ABVMA Member Magazine, RVTTC member media, social media, website development, ABVTA and ABVMA award nominations, and many other activities.

2024 Member and Public Relations Committee:

  • Board Liaison: Candace Olive, RVT
  • Chair: Gabrielle Namchuk, RVT
  • Vice Chair: Megan Higgins, RVT
  • Committee Members:
    • Carmen Peccie, RVT
    • Chelsey Greig, RVT
    • Heidi Craig, RVT
    • Keanna Gorgichuk, RVT
    • Marissa Adie, RVT
    • Sarah Wood, RVT

Representation Positions

The ABVTA provides delegated representation to:

  • College Advisory Group to Alberta AHT and VMR, VMA and VTA Programs
  • CVMA Accreditation Site Team
  • CanWest Veterinary Conference Speaker Selection Committee
  • ABVMA Council
  • ABVMA HR Committee
  • ABVMA Wellness Committee