top of page
IMG_0397_edited.png

The Association of Shelter Medicine Veterinary Technicians

unnamed.jpg

Victoria DeMeo

LVT, rLAT

New York, New York

Vikki graduated with a BS in journalism and communications from St. John's University and worked in theatre before shifting gears to veterinary medicine. She has an AAS in veterinary technology from LaGuardia Community College, a MSc in veterinary forensics at the University of Florida where she is working on a GC in wildlife forensic science and conservation. She is looking to make a transition into humane law enforcement with a focus on the human-animal bond and its breakdown. Although she started in zoo medicine and still dabbles in exotic animal care, she landed in a shelter and fell in love. She teaches shelter medicine and works as a college laboratory technician at her alma mater, in addition to working at a specialty hospital in ICU and ER. Her facility is the largest municipal shelter system in NYC where she manages the foster emergency hotline, acts as a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, and works as an overnight technician in addition to community clinic work. She has a house of 'second hand' creatures, and a (mostly) human child.

IMG_20210507_172148__01__01.jpg

Michelle Hartline

RVT,

Powder Springs, Georgia

Michelle has been in veterinary medicine for 23 years. She started out in private practice, and was hospital manager for 8 years. After that she decided to try spay and neuter. She got the opportunity to become a shelter tech and has been doing that for 10 years and loves it.

20210506_192007.jpg

Carla Hubbs

CVT,

Chicago, Illinois

Carla started in the field in 1998 and is currently working as the supervising veterinary technician at a large open admission municipal animal control facility with an average of 15-17k intakes per year. Shelter medicine is her passion and she's been in it for 15 years. She has an AS in veterinary technology from Los Angeles Pierce College in 2001 and is a member of NAVTA, ISVMA, and on the IL CVT Task Force.

Mandi bio photo 3.jpg

Mandi Idle

RVT,

Vancouver, British Columbia

Mandi started her career volunteering at a cat clinic in Vancouver, BC. Once she realized she wanted to work with animals forever, she then studied to become a veterinary technician through the CVMA-accredited program at Douglas College in BC. Once she was finished in school she knew she wanted to work with shelter animals, so she weaseled her way right into the BC SPCA as a new grad and has never looked back! Since her start in 2013 she's been given many opportunities to grow and learn more about shelter medicine, which brought her to collaborating with the others on the board (and many more) to put together a group of highly motivated and passionate technicians wanting to recognize this very unique field as a specialty. In her current position she implements SOP's, helps manage infectious disease outbreaks, and offers ongoing training to staff at the 36 sheltering branches at the BC SPCA. She's also been a part of a few research papers, with more on the horizon!

Elisa Martin Headshot.jpg

Elisa Martin

RVT,

Pasadena, California

Elisa Martin has a MSc in agricultural economics.  After a short stint as an economist, she became a CA licensed veterinary technician in 2008.  As a technician she worked in a small animal general practice, HQHV spay/neuter as well as the emergency department of a small animal specialty referral hospital.  In 2015, Elisa started working in shelter medicine full time and realized just how passionate she is about this specialty.  Other professional interests include anesthesia, emergency and critical care, teaching, and team building. 

Staff Headshot Anne Marie 2_2019-09.jpg

Anne Marie McPartlin

CVT, LVT, RVT,

Madison, Wisconsin

Anne Marie has over 25 years of experience as a credentialed veterinary technician. Her passion for emergency and critical care has taken her to various referral and teaching hospitals throughout North America where she was able to indulge a fervor for instructing veterinary students. Anne Marie redirected her veterinary focus to shelter medicine and outreach after participating in a Vets Without Borders field clinic in Guatemala. As a result, she has worked at Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program at Cornell University, and currently works full time with Rural Area Veterinary Services (RAVS) which is a non-profit veterinary outreach program that expands access to veterinary care through direct field clinics in underserved rural communities, clinical mentorship for students, and veterinary engagement in animal welfare. Achievements include a one-year internship at the Animal Medical Center in NY, passing the AVECCT exam in 1999 (she did not maintain specialization), and various speaking engagements. When not in the field, she enjoys hiking, painting and being supervised by a 3 pound Chihuahua.

unnamed.jpg

Eleanor Miller

LVT,

Buffalo, New York

Eleanor began her veterinary career in 2003 at a 2-doctor general practice in Rockville, MD. She started there as the exam technician and quickly worked up to the surgery technician. From there here career led to a surgery specialty practice before she got into practice management in 2008. In 2013 she accepted a leadership position at a premier animal shelter in Pittsburgh, PA. She also passed her VTNE in 2013 and got her license as a veterinary technician in Pennsylvania. In 2020, Eleanor moved to Buffalo, NY to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren where she accepted a position at the local SPCA. 

IMG_2614.jpg

Erin Stewart

LVT, RVT,

Houston, Texas

Erin attended the University of Michigan and Mt. San Antonio College in California, earning a BS in microbiology and AS in registered veterinary technology. A lifelong love and appreciation for animals brought Erin to the field of veterinary medicine, where she could combine her interests in science and caring for animals. Becoming a veterinary technician is a proud accomplishment for Erin and working in shelter medicine has become a passion. Treating and helping the voiceless gives Erin a sense of purpose and motivation. We have a long way to go but becoming an organization dedicated to the specialization of our field is a huge step forward. Erin currently works in a cat-only practice and serves as a board member for a non-profit animal rescue in the Houston area.

1935519_1114312976079_5118778_n.jpg

Lizz Thompson

RVT,

Galt, California

Lizz received her Bachelor’s in organizational communication from California State University, Sacramento in 2017, a certificate in animal shelter management from the University of the Pacific in 2018 and a Master of Science Degree with a concentration in shelter medicine in May of 2022 from the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine.  Lizz began working in shelters in 1999 and spent most of her career in the Greater Sacramento area.   Beyond shelter medicine, she is passionate about leadership and collaboration. She shares her home with her husband, their two young daughters, and a variety of pets and foster animals.

Vicki Weber headshot web 250 by 300.jpg

Vicki Weber

LVT,

Greene, New York

When Vicki first started her career as a veterinary technician, she knew that shelter medicine was not for her.  Or at least she thought she knew.  Since graduation from SUNY Delhi in 2005 she worked mainly in small animal general practice along with small stint in equine medicine at a specialty practice in Ohio.  In 2012, a friend who ran a rescue asked if she would vaccinate several kittens for her.  Since then it has been a downhill slide into Shelter Medicine, which she deems the most rewarding part of her career so far!  She works as a teaching support specialist in Cornell's shelter medicine program. Aside from her LVT work, Vicki enjoys her country home life, trail riding with her paint draft horse, Bailey, and loving up on her two donkeys, 2 cats, and 1 dog.  She and her husband enjoy traveling, are Disney lovers, and love family.

bottom of page