2025 Speakers
2025 Speaker Proceedings - Coming at a later date:
Dr. Anthony Fischetti, DVM, MS, DACVR
Dr. Fischetti is the Service Head of Radiology and Radiation Safety Officer at Animal Medical Center (AMC). He received his undergraduate and veterinary degrees from Cornell University (1997, 2001), internship training at the University of Pennsylvania (2001-2002), and Residency/Master’s Degree from Ohio State University (2002-2015). He is an executive council member of the American College of Veterinary Radiology (ACVR) and Webmaster of the ACVR.com website. He is the resident director for the AM’s Diagnostic Imaging Residency, Adjunct Professor of Radiology at Western University Veterinary College, and overseas teaching of over 50 interns, residents, and students each year at AMC. Dr. Fischetti speaks nationally and internationally on a variety of topics related to veterinary radiology.
Dr. Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, DACZM, DACVPM
Dr. Jenifer Chatfield is the Staff Veterinarian at 4J Conservation Center, an instructor for FEMA/DHS courses, and a Regional Commander for the National Disaster Medicine System Team. She graduated from Texas A&M University’s CVM and has pursued emergency medicine and zoo medicine throughout her career. She owned two emergency clinics and has been the Senior Veterinarian in a zoo. She completed fieldwork in Madagascar and South America and continues to explore new areas of medicine as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine for more than 10 years.
Dr. Chatfield is a Medical Reserve Corps member and developed the “Veterinary Support to Zoological Animals in a Disaster” for the National Veterinary Response Teams training curriculum. Dr. Chatfield has chaired the Florida Veterinary Medical Association’s (FVMA) One Health Committee and co-chaired FVMA’s Disaster Response Committee.
Terry Marie Curtis, DVM, MSDiplomate ACVB Veterinary Behaviorist
Dr. Curtis graduated with honors from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 1997. She worked as a feline-only practitioner in Florida until the summer of 2000 when she began her residency in Veterinary Behavior at the University of Georgia, Athens. Concurrently, she received a Master of Science in Psychology investigating grooming behavior in the domestic cat. Completing her residency in June 2003, she joined the team at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine - where she taught two behavior courses for 17 years. Dr. Curtis, a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, does house calls in Florida. Author of a number of articles, including book chapters in Veterinary Clinics of North America, the 5th, 6th, and 7th Editions of Blackwell’s Five-Minute Veterinary Consult, and Decoding Your Cat, Dr. Curtis has served as an editorial member for Today’s Veterinary Practice magazine, and the Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery, and currently serves on the Advisory Board for BluCare and Vet Candy. Dr. Curtis was also a panel contributor to the 2014 AAFP & ISFM Guidelines for Diagnosing and Solving House Soiling Behavior in Cats. She has worked with the Hemingway House cats in Key West - discussing the subject on ABC’s Nightline (July 2007) and was on the NBC Today show (July 2008) talking about fears and phobias in dogs. Dr. Curtis was honored with the Keuka College Alumni Association Professional Achievement Award in 2018. She is currently working on a practical textbook on behavior: Principles of Canine and Feline Behavior Medicine [Wiley Press].
Dr. Curtis graduated with honors from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 1997. She worked as a feline-only practitioner in Florida until the summer of 2000 when she began her residency in Veterinary Behavior at the University of Georgia, Athens. Concurrently, she received a Master of Science in Psychology investigating grooming behavior in the domestic cat. Completing her residency in June 2003, she joined the team at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine - where she taught two behavior courses for 17 years. Dr. Curtis, a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, does house calls in Florida. Author of a number of articles, including book chapters in Veterinary Clinics of North America, the 5th, 6th, and 7th Editions of Blackwell’s Five-Minute Veterinary Consult, and Decoding Your Cat, Dr. Curtis has served as an editorial member for Today’s Veterinary Practice magazine, and the Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery, and currently serves on the Advisory Board for BluCare and Vet Candy. Dr. Curtis was also a panel contributor to the 2014 AAFP & ISFM Guidelines for Diagnosing and Solving House Soiling Behavior in Cats. She has worked with the Hemingway House cats in Key West - discussing the subject on ABC’s Nightline (July 2007) and was on the NBC Today show (July 2008) talking about fears and phobias in dogs. Dr. Curtis was honored with the Keuka College Alumni Association Professional Achievement Award in 2018. She is currently working on a practical textbook on behavior: Principles of Canine and Feline Behavior Medicine [Wiley Press].
Dr. Amy Thomson, DVM, DAVDC
Dr. Amy Thomson is a specialist in small animal dentistry & oral surgery. She began her career in small animal general practice and while challenging at times she was fortunate to gain a great deal of dentistry CE. The more she learned the more her passion for dentistry grew as well as a desire to become a specialist. While Dr. Amy enjoys all aspects of clinical practice as Board Certified Veterinary DentistTM, she also very much enjoys providing continuing education for all veterinary professionals in small animal general practice. There is a huge demand for veterinary dentistry and oral care, and she wants to support general practice teams to provide the best care to their patients.
Dr. Amy Thomson is a specialist in small animal dentistry & oral surgery. She began her career in small animal general practice and while challenging at times she was fortunate to gain a great deal of dentistry CE. The more she learned the more her passion for dentistry grew as well as a desire to become a specialist. While Dr. Amy enjoys all aspects of clinical practice as Board Certified Veterinary DentistTM, she also very much enjoys providing continuing education for all veterinary professionals in small animal general practice. There is a huge demand for veterinary dentistry and oral care, and she wants to support general practice teams to provide the best care to their patients.
Dr. Chris Mariani, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Neurology)
Dr. Mariani is the principal investigator and director of the Comparative Neuroimmunology and Neurooncology Laboratory (CNNL). He is an Associate Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery in the Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University (NCSU-CVM). Dr. Mariani received his DVM degree from the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph. Following a rotating internship in small animal medicine, surgery, and critical care and a year in general small animal practice, he began a residency in neurology and neurosurgery at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida. After completion of the residency, Dr. Mariani began graduate work at the College of Medicine, University of Florida, studying nonspecific immunotherapy in a model of glioblastoma multiforme. His PhD degree was awarded in 2006 by the Department of Neuroscience. Dr. Mariani is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Neurology subspecialty, and sees referral patients at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at North Carolina State University.
Dr. Mariani is the principal investigator and director of the Comparative Neuroimmunology and Neurooncology Laboratory (CNNL). He is an Associate Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery in the Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University (NCSU-CVM). Dr. Mariani received his DVM degree from the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph. Following a rotating internship in small animal medicine, surgery, and critical care and a year in general small animal practice, he began a residency in neurology and neurosurgery at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida. After completion of the residency, Dr. Mariani began graduate work at the College of Medicine, University of Florida, studying nonspecific immunotherapy in a model of glioblastoma multiforme. His PhD degree was awarded in 2006 by the Department of Neuroscience. Dr. Mariani is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Neurology subspecialty, and sees referral patients at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at North Carolina State University.
Amy Newfield, MS, CVT, VTS (ECC)
Amy is the owner of Veterinary Team Training where she consults with hospitals and has an online continuing education site for veterinary professionals to grow their skills and knowledge. After working in general practice for many years, Amy found her passion in emergency medicine and went on to obtain her Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Emergency and Critical Care. She has held several board positions in the Academy of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Technicians & Nurses including president. She went on to obtain her master’s degree in management and leadership and has published the award-winning and best-selling books “Oops, I Became a Manager” and “Oops, My Team is Toxic” both focused on creating happy veterinary teams. She launched her online CE platform Vet Team Training in 2023 and likes to brag it’s the largest online CE platform where only vet techs and vet nurses are the educators. She lives in Massachusetts with her wonderful furry kids where you can find her still pulling floor shifts in an emergency hospital, eating chocolate, running in the woods, competing in agility, and diving in the ocean.
Amy is the owner of Veterinary Team Training where she consults with hospitals and has an online continuing education site for veterinary professionals to grow their skills and knowledge. After working in general practice for many years, Amy found her passion in emergency medicine and went on to obtain her Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Emergency and Critical Care. She has held several board positions in the Academy of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Technicians & Nurses including president. She went on to obtain her master’s degree in management and leadership and has published the award-winning and best-selling books “Oops, I Became a Manager” and “Oops, My Team is Toxic” both focused on creating happy veterinary teams. She launched her online CE platform Vet Team Training in 2023 and likes to brag it’s the largest online CE platform where only vet techs and vet nurses are the educators. She lives in Massachusetts with her wonderful furry kids where you can find her still pulling floor shifts in an emergency hospital, eating chocolate, running in the woods, competing in agility, and diving in the ocean.
Stephen Niño Cital, RVT, SRA, RLAT, CVPP, VTS- LAM (Res. Anesthesia)
Stephen Niño Cital is a multi-credentialed veterinary technician specialist with a passion for anesthesia, pain management, and cannabinoid medicine. He has authored numerous articles and contributed to several textbooks, including acting as the lead editor for the first cannabinoid medicine textbook, and the second edition of a pain management textbook expected to be released in 2024. He has many exciting professional highlights but some of his favorites include being part of the scientific team that discovered the acidic cannabinoid forms are absorbed in higher concentrations when consumed orally, discovered a common drug used in anesthesia causes a serious complication known as methemoglobinemia in monkeys, invented a smaller and more practical blood filter for animals during blood transfusions, and gained title protection for veterinary technician specialists. Stephen is the COO of the Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds, LLC, co-founder of the Veterinary Cannabinoid Academy, and Executive Director of the Academy of Laboratory Animal Veterinary Technicians and Nurses. He is a lab manager at Stanford University in the department of neurobiology in addition to the Chief Veterinary Nursing Officer and Director of the Pain and Cannabinoid Medicine services at Remedy Veterinary Specialists. Stephen is an advocate for credentialed veterinary technicians and veterinary technician specialists as well as the BIPOC community.
Stephen Niño Cital is a multi-credentialed veterinary technician specialist with a passion for anesthesia, pain management, and cannabinoid medicine. He has authored numerous articles and contributed to several textbooks, including acting as the lead editor for the first cannabinoid medicine textbook, and the second edition of a pain management textbook expected to be released in 2024. He has many exciting professional highlights but some of his favorites include being part of the scientific team that discovered the acidic cannabinoid forms are absorbed in higher concentrations when consumed orally, discovered a common drug used in anesthesia causes a serious complication known as methemoglobinemia in monkeys, invented a smaller and more practical blood filter for animals during blood transfusions, and gained title protection for veterinary technician specialists. Stephen is the COO of the Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds, LLC, co-founder of the Veterinary Cannabinoid Academy, and Executive Director of the Academy of Laboratory Animal Veterinary Technicians and Nurses. He is a lab manager at Stanford University in the department of neurobiology in addition to the Chief Veterinary Nursing Officer and Director of the Pain and Cannabinoid Medicine services at Remedy Veterinary Specialists. Stephen is an advocate for credentialed veterinary technicians and veterinary technician specialists as well as the BIPOC community.
Liz Hughston, MEd, RVT, LVT, CVT, VTS (SAIM, ECC)
Liz practices as a relief veterinary technician and consultant in the San Francisco Bay Area for both general and emergency/specialty practices. She graduated from Foothill College in 2006 and went on to earn her certification as a veterinary technician specialist in both small animal internal medicine and emergency and critical care in 2012. Liz is dedicated to advancing veterinary nursing through training and mentorship and is a frequent and sought-after national and international speaker. In 2013, Liz was awarded the California Registered Veterinary Technician’s Association’s inaugural RVT of the Year Award, recognizing her efforts to improve veterinary nursing in California and beyond. Liz is president of the National Veterinary Professionals Union, co-founder of the Veterinary Cannabinoid Academy and the credentialing committee co-chair of the Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians.
Liz practices as a relief veterinary technician and consultant in the San Francisco Bay Area for both general and emergency/specialty practices. She graduated from Foothill College in 2006 and went on to earn her certification as a veterinary technician specialist in both small animal internal medicine and emergency and critical care in 2012. Liz is dedicated to advancing veterinary nursing through training and mentorship and is a frequent and sought-after national and international speaker. In 2013, Liz was awarded the California Registered Veterinary Technician’s Association’s inaugural RVT of the Year Award, recognizing her efforts to improve veterinary nursing in California and beyond. Liz is president of the National Veterinary Professionals Union, co-founder of the Veterinary Cannabinoid Academy and the credentialing committee co-chair of the Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians.
Amy Newfield, MS, CVT, VTS (ECC)
Amy is the owner of Veterinary Team Training where she consults with hospitals and has an online continuing education site for veterinary professionals to grow their skills and knowledge. After working in general practice for many years, Amy found her passion in emergency medicine and went on to obtain her Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Emergency and Critical Care. She has held several board positions in the Academy of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Technicians & Nurses including president. She went on to obtain her master’s degree in management and leadership and has published the award-winning and best-selling books “Oops, I Became a Manager” and “Oops, My Team is Toxic” both focused on creating happy veterinary teams. She launched her online CE platform Vet Team Training in 2023 and likes to brag it’s the largest online CE platform where only vet techs and vet nurses are the educators. She lives in Massachusetts with her wonderful furry kids where you can find her still pulling floor shifts in an emergency hospital, eating chocolate, running in the woods, competing in agility, and diving in the ocean.
Amy is the owner of Veterinary Team Training where she consults with hospitals and has an online continuing education site for veterinary professionals to grow their skills and knowledge. After working in general practice for many years, Amy found her passion in emergency medicine and went on to obtain her Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Emergency and Critical Care. She has held several board positions in the Academy of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Technicians & Nurses including president. She went on to obtain her master’s degree in management and leadership and has published the award-winning and best-selling books “Oops, I Became a Manager” and “Oops, My Team is Toxic” both focused on creating happy veterinary teams. She launched her online CE platform Vet Team Training in 2023 and likes to brag it’s the largest online CE platform where only vet techs and vet nurses are the educators. She lives in Massachusetts with her wonderful furry kids where you can find her still pulling floor shifts in an emergency hospital, eating chocolate, running in the woods, competing in agility, and diving in the ocean.
Dr. Peter Weinstein, DVM, MBA
Dr. Peter Weinstein is a husband, father, pet parent, veterinarian and leader. He has been involved with virtually all aspects of veterinary practice from a 15-year old kennel kid to a hospital owner. Organized veterinary medicine has been a passion as well with various roles and leadership and presidencies of Southern California VMA, California VMA, and Vet Partners. He is a published author, most notably of the EMyth Veterinarian-Why Most Veterinary Practices Don’t Work and What to Do About It. Currently, he is teaching business and finance at the Veterinary College of Western University.
Dr. Peter Weinstein is a husband, father, pet parent, veterinarian and leader. He has been involved with virtually all aspects of veterinary practice from a 15-year old kennel kid to a hospital owner. Organized veterinary medicine has been a passion as well with various roles and leadership and presidencies of Southern California VMA, California VMA, and Vet Partners. He is a published author, most notably of the EMyth Veterinarian-Why Most Veterinary Practices Don’t Work and What to Do About It. Currently, he is teaching business and finance at the Veterinary College of Western University.
Liz Hughston, MEd, RVT, LVT, CVT, VTS (SAIM, ECC)
Liz practices as a relief veterinary technician and consultant in the San Francisco Bay Area for both general and emergency/specialty practices. She graduated from Foothill College in 2006 and went on to earn her certification as a veterinary technician specialist in both small animal internal medicine and emergency and critical care in 2012. Liz is dedicated to advancing veterinary nursing through training and mentorship and is a frequent and sought-after national and international speaker. In 2013, Liz was awarded the California Registered Veterinary Technician’s Association’s inaugural RVT of the Year Award, recognizing her efforts to improve veterinary nursing in California and beyond. Liz is president of the National Veterinary Professionals Union, co-founder of the Veterinary Cannabinoid Academy and the credentialing committee co-chair of the Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians.
Liz practices as a relief veterinary technician and consultant in the San Francisco Bay Area for both general and emergency/specialty practices. She graduated from Foothill College in 2006 and went on to earn her certification as a veterinary technician specialist in both small animal internal medicine and emergency and critical care in 2012. Liz is dedicated to advancing veterinary nursing through training and mentorship and is a frequent and sought-after national and international speaker. In 2013, Liz was awarded the California Registered Veterinary Technician’s Association’s inaugural RVT of the Year Award, recognizing her efforts to improve veterinary nursing in California and beyond. Liz is president of the National Veterinary Professionals Union, co-founder of the Veterinary Cannabinoid Academy and the credentialing committee co-chair of the Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians.
Amy Newfield, MS, CVT, VTS (ECC)
Amy is the owner of Veterinary Team Training where she consults with hospitals and has an online continuing education site for veterinary professionals to grow their skills and knowledge. After working in general practice for many years, Amy found her passion in emergency medicine and went on to obtain her Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Emergency and Critical Care. She has held several board positions in the Academy of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Technicians & Nurses including president. She went on to obtain her master’s degree in management and leadership and has published the award-winning and best-selling books “Oops, I Became a Manager” and “Oops, My Team is Toxic” both focused on creating happy veterinary teams. She launched her online CE platform Vet Team Training in 2023 and likes to brag it’s the largest online CE platform where only vet techs and vet nurses are the educators. She lives in Massachusetts with her wonderful furry kids where you can find her still pulling floor shifts in an emergency hospital, eating chocolate, running in the woods, competing in agility, and diving in the ocean.
Amy is the owner of Veterinary Team Training where she consults with hospitals and has an online continuing education site for veterinary professionals to grow their skills and knowledge. After working in general practice for many years, Amy found her passion in emergency medicine and went on to obtain her Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Emergency and Critical Care. She has held several board positions in the Academy of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Technicians & Nurses including president. She went on to obtain her master’s degree in management and leadership and has published the award-winning and best-selling books “Oops, I Became a Manager” and “Oops, My Team is Toxic” both focused on creating happy veterinary teams. She launched her online CE platform Vet Team Training in 2023 and likes to brag it’s the largest online CE platform where only vet techs and vet nurses are the educators. She lives in Massachusetts with her wonderful furry kids where you can find her still pulling floor shifts in an emergency hospital, eating chocolate, running in the woods, competing in agility, and diving in the ocean.
Dr. Peter Weinstein, DVM, MBA
Dr. Peter Weinstein is a husband, father, pet parent, veterinarian and leader. He has been involved with virtually all aspects of veterinary practice from a 15-year old kennel kid to a hospital owner. Organized veterinary medicine has been a passion as well with various roles and leadership and presidencies of Southern California VMA, California VMA, and Vet Partners. He is a published author, most notably of the EMyth Veterinarian-Why Most Veterinary Practices Don’t Work and What to Do About It. Currently, he is teaching business and finance at the Veterinary College of Western University.
Dr. Peter Weinstein is a husband, father, pet parent, veterinarian and leader. He has been involved with virtually all aspects of veterinary practice from a 15-year old kennel kid to a hospital owner. Organized veterinary medicine has been a passion as well with various roles and leadership and presidencies of Southern California VMA, California VMA, and Vet Partners. He is a published author, most notably of the EMyth Veterinarian-Why Most Veterinary Practices Don’t Work and What to Do About It. Currently, he is teaching business and finance at the Veterinary College of Western University.
Last update: December26, 2024