December 2024
11dec8:00 am5:15 pmLearning + Labs – Shock – the First 30 Minutes Day 1
Lab Title: Shock – the First 30 Minutes Lab Instructors: Dr. Armi Pigott and Dr. Tori Miller
Lab Title: Shock – the First 30 Minutes
Lab Instructors: Dr. Armi Pigott and Dr. Tori Miller
Lab Description: During this no-lecture, all-hands-on simulation lab, attendees will focus on identifying and treating the four common shock phenotypes. You will actively participate in a variety of exercises including managing patients in shock using high-fidelity simulators, hands-on procedural training using medium fidelity simulators, and rounds-style discussions. Pre-lab preparatory materials will be provided to allow participants to prepare for the course ahead of time. In addition to using high-fidelity simulation to manage real patient scenarios, participants will practice life-saving procedures including thoracocentesis, chest tube placement and advanced vascular access techniques on medium-fidelity training models.
Lab Location: VECCS Office – San Antonio, TX
Lab Cost: $650.00
CE Credit: Participates Receive 12.5 Medical CE Credits (Pending RACE Approval)
December 11, 2024 8:00 am – 5:15 pm(GMT-06:00)
11dec11:00 am12:00 pmMonthly Meetup – December 2024VECCS Monthly Mingle
Join us in a safe space where you can talk, share, brainstorm and commiserate over various clinical topics with fellow VECCS members!
Join us in a safe space where you can talk, share, brainstorm and commiserate over various clinical topics with fellow VECCS members!
Topic: Effective Teams: How to Optimally Utilize Your Doctors, Nurses, and Assistants
Description: This webinar will discuss the benefits and barriers to optimal utilization of veterinary teams from the veterinary technician and veterinarian point of view. We will review the results of two recent utilization studies that identified top barriers and possible disconnect between veterinary technicians and veterinarians before offering concrete strategies for improvement. We will also explore how to enhance communication, improve job satisfaction, and ultimately provide better patient care through optimal utilization of veterinary teams.
What You’ll Learn:
· The importance of leveraging your team’s strengths for a more efficient practice.
· Common barriers to optimal utilization from both veterinarians’ and technicians’ perspectives.
· Concrete strategies to improve role clarity, empower staff, and boost team collaboration.
Key Topics Include:
· Why effective utilization leads to better patient outcomes and staff satisfaction.
· Addressing common barriers, such as role confusion and control concerns.
· Practical, actionable steps to create clear protocols, empower your nurses, and improve workflow.
Moderator: Lori Kogan, Ph.D., Nicolette Zarday, DVM, MPH, & Kenichiro Yagi, MS, RVT, VTS (ECC), (SAIM)
December 11, 2024 11:00 am – 12:00 pm(GMT-06:00)
12dec8:00 am12:45 pmLearning + Labs – Shock – the First 30 Minutes Day 2
Lab Title: Shock – the First 30 Minutes Lab Instructors: Dr. Armi Pigott and Dr. Tori Miller Lab
Lab Title: Shock – the First 30 Minutes
Lab Instructors: Dr. Armi Pigott and Dr. Tori Miller
Lab Description: During this no-lecture, all-hands-on simulation lab, attendees will focus on identifying and treating the four common shock phenotypes. You will actively participate in a variety of exercises including managing patients in shock using high-fidelity simulators, hands-on procedural training using medium fidelity simulators, and rounds-style discussions. Pre-lab preparatory materials will be provided to allow participants to prepare for the course ahead of time. In addition to using high-fidelity simulation to manage real patient scenarios, participants will practice life-saving procedures including thoracocentesis, chest tube placement and advanced vascular access techniques on medium-fidelity training models.
Lab Location: VECCS Office – San Antonio, TX
Lab Cost: $650.00
CE Credit: Participates Receive 12.5 Medical CE Credits (Pending RACE Approval)
December 12, 2024 8:00 am – 12:45 pm(GMT-06:00)
By: Robert Swinger, DVM, DACVO Description: One of the most challenging aspects of veterinary ophthalmology is dealing with emergencies. This includes how
By: Robert Swinger, DVM, DACVO
Description: One of the most challenging aspects of veterinary ophthalmology is dealing with emergencies. This includes how to perform emergency procedures, what drugs to have in your hospital for these cases, and how and when to refer to an ophthalmologist. This session will review common emergency management of cases, including melting/deep corneal ulcers, proptosed globes, hyphema, and acute glaucoma. This session will help you understand the long-term prognosis following these emergencies and what information needs to be relayed to owners as therapy is initiated.
By the end of the session, attendees will be able to:
Speaker Info: Dr. Robert Swinger completed his undergraduate work and received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Illinois in 2003. After completing an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Veterinary Specialists of South Florida in 2004, he went on to complete both an ophthalmology internship and residency at the Animal Eye Specialty Clinic. Soon thereafter, he joined the VCA Aurora Animal Hospital before returning to Florida in 2011 to launch Animal Eye Guys. Animal Eye Guys has several locations across South Florida extending on the east coast from Miami to Coral Springs and on the west coast from Fort Myers to Naples. Dr. Swinger is board certified and a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists. In his work environment, Dr. Swinger enjoys teaching and taking active roles in the clinic’s internship/residency programs. He is an active lecturer/wet lab instructor across the nation including the Florida Veterinary Medical Association, The Gulf Atlantic Veterinary Conference, AVMA, Vet Vacation CE and many local events for his referring veterinary community. He currently serves on the Florida Veterinary Medical Association’s Executive Board and is a member of the Wedgewood Medical Advisory Board. Outside of the veterinary arena, Dr. Swinger enjoys spending time with his family (which includes his twins, Keegan and Francesca, and a toy poodle, Sophia) and enjoys the outdoors.
December 16, 2024 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm(GMT-05:00)
19dec9:00 am10:00 amNew Member Orientation – December 2024Welcome! We’re so excited to have you!
New members and long-time members alike, join us via Zoom, for this informative and fun orientation covering the following VECCS info:
New members and long-time members alike, join us via Zoom, for this informative and fun orientation covering the following VECCS info:
December 19, 2024 9:00 am – 10:00 am(GMT-06:00)
January 2025
08jan11:00 am12:00 pmLeadership Connection – January 2025VECCS Monthly Mingle
Join us in a safe space where you can talk, share, brainstorm and commiserate over various clinical topics with fellow VECCS members!
Join us in a safe space where you can talk, share, brainstorm and commiserate over various clinical topics with fellow VECCS members!
Topic: Vet Leaders Unite: Turning Generational Diversity into a Superpawer
Description: This session explores the art of leading multigenerational veterinary teams through humor, research, and real-life anecdotes. You’ll gain practical strategies to bridge generational gaps, foster collaboration, and create a unified clinic culture. The best part? We’ll end with a roundtable discussion where you can share experiences, learn from fellow leaders, and exchange insights to tackle these challenges together!
Moderator: Susie DeCook, CVT, VTS (ECC)
January 8, 2025 11:00 am – 12:00 pm(GMT-06:00)
16jan9:00 am10:00 amNew Member Orientation – January 2025Welcome! We’re so excited to have you!
New members and long-time members alike, join us via Zoom, for this informative and fun orientation covering the following VECCS info:
New members and long-time members alike, join us via Zoom, for this informative and fun orientation covering the following VECCS info:
January 16, 2025 9:00 am – 10:00 am(GMT-06:00)
By: Serge Chalhoub DVM, DACVIM (SAIM) & Søren Boysen DVM, DACVECC Description: A feline patient presents with acute onset of vomiting, anorexia,
By: Serge Chalhoub DVM, DACVIM (SAIM) & Søren Boysen DVM, DACVECC
Description: A feline patient presents with acute onset of vomiting, anorexia, and decreased activity. Initial evaluation identifies severe azotemia. Oh no!!!!!! Is it the kidney’s fault (the criticalist thinks so), or is the problem pre- or post-renal in origin (the internist likes to consider everything and everything and everything)? Is the patient producing urine? Can a non-specialist veterinarian diagnose renal pelvic dilation with a degree of accuracy? Point-of-care ultrasound can help answer all the right questions. In this highly entertaining and banter-filled educational webinar, the dynamic duo will demonstrate how easy it is to get accurate, reliable information so you can manage your patients more effectively. Award winning speakers and lecturers Drs. Boysen and Chalhoub will tackle these questions and more. With over 30 published POCUS research papers and book chapters, Drs. Boysen and Chalhoub are now co-editors of their newest veterinary POCUS textbook: “The Essentials of Veterinary Point of Care Ultrasound: Pleural Space and Lung.”
By the end of the session, attendees will be able to:
Speaker Info: Dr. Chalhoub graduated from the DVM program at the Faculté de médecine vétérinaire (FMV) of the Université de Montréal in 2004. Serge followed this with a one-year rotating small animal clinical internship at the same institution. After working for two years as a general practitioner and emergency veterinarian in Montreal, Serge pursued a residency in small animal internal medicine at the Animal Medical Center (AMC) in New York City. Once his residency completed in 2009 he stayed on at the AMC as their first renal/hemodialysis fellow and then as a staff doctor.
Dr. Chalhoub has been a faculty member at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM) since 2012 and currently holds the rank of Associate Professor (Teaching). He was the recipient of the 2021 and 2013 Canadian Veterinary Medical Association’s Teacher of the Year Award, the 2015 University of Calgary Team Teacher of the Year Award, the 2017 Carl J. Norden Distinguished Teacher Award, and is a 2024 3M National Teaching Fellowship recipient recognizing Canada’s outstanding teachers.
Serge is the coordinator of a community outreach-service learning program (UCVM-CUPS Pet Health Clinic) for disadvantaged Calgarians. He has authored and co-authored numerous scientific articles and book chapters on veterinary point of care ultrasound, renal and urinary medicine, and lectures around the world on these topics. Drs. Chalhoub, Søren Boysen and Kris Gommeren published The Essentials of Veterinary Point of Care Ultrasound: Pleural Space and Lung in 2022 (available on amazon.com or Edra Publishing). He is a member of the National Issues Committee (NIC) of the CVMA and a Council Member for the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association.
Dr. Søren Boysen is a distinguished veterinarian specializing in emergency and critical care. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the University of Saskatchewan in 1996, followed by a small animal internship at the Atlantic Veterinary College and a residency at Tufts University. In 2003, he became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. Dr. Boysen has held significant academic positions, including serving as Chief of Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care at the University of Montreal and currently as a Full Professor at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. His research focuses on hemorrhage, coagulation, perfusion, and point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), for which he has received prestigious awards, including the Jack Mara Scientific Achievement Award for “Advances in Point of Care Ultrasound.” As a co-founder of the veterinary emergency and critical ultrasound (VECCUS) working group, steering member of the veterinary POCUS consensus group, and co-lead on the POCUS in CPR RECOVER guidelines, he is a global leader in advancing veterinary POCUS. An internationally recognized speaker, Dr. Boysen is celebrated for his contributions to veterinary education and research.
January 20, 2025 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm(GMT-05:00)
February 2025
12feb11:00 am12:00 pmMonthly Meetup – February 2025VECCS Monthly Mingle
Join us in a safe space where you can talk, share, brainstorm and commiserate over various clinical topics with fellow VECCS members!
Join us in a safe space where you can talk, share, brainstorm and commiserate over various clinical topics with fellow VECCS members!
Topic: TBD
Description: TBD
Moderator: TBD
February 12, 2025 11:00 am – 12:00 pm(GMT-06:00)
19feb8:30 am5:30 pmLearning + Labs – Neurology Immersion Course Day 1
Lab Title: Neurology Immersion Course Lab Instructors: Dr. Barnes Heller and Dr. Sam Long Lab
Lab Title: Neurology Immersion Course
Lab Instructors: Dr. Barnes Heller and Dr. Sam Long
Lab Description: Join neurologists Dr. Heidi Barnes Heller and Dr. Sam Long for a continuing education course designed to sharpen your neurology skills in a small class learning atmosphere. You won’t want to miss this opportunity! This 2-day course is designed for veterinarians and veterinary students seeking to enhance their neurological skills. This course offers a unique blend of lectures, live demonstrations, and interactive case discussions in a small class setting. The curriculum covers a comprehensive range of topics, including neurological examination techniques, lesion localization, vestibular and cranial nerve disorders, seizure management, spinal cord pathologies, and neuromuscular diseases. The course aims to empower veterinarians to confidently identify and treat neurological conditions in dogs and cats. This course is a great opportunity for veterinarians to advance their neurology expertise.
Lab Location: VECCS Office – San Antonio, TX
Open to: Veterinarians & Student Veterinarians
Lab Cost: $650.00
CE Credit: Participates Receive 12.5 Medical CE Credits (Pending RACE Approval)
February 19, 2025 8:30 am – 5:30 pm(GMT-06:00)
20feb8:30 am12:30 pmLearning + Labs – Neurology Immersion Course Day 2
Lab Title: Neurology Immersion Course Lab Instructors: Dr. Barnes Heller and Dr. Sam Long Lab
Lab Title: Neurology Immersion Course
Lab Instructors: Dr. Barnes Heller and Dr. Sam Long
Lab Description: Join neurologists Dr. Heidi Barnes Heller and Dr. Sam Long for a continuing education course designed to sharpen your neurology skills in a small class learning atmosphere. You won’t want to miss this opportunity! This 2-day course is designed for veterinarians and veterinary students seeking to enhance their neurological skills. This course offers a unique blend of lectures, live demonstrations, and interactive case discussions in a small class setting. The curriculum covers a comprehensive range of topics, including neurological examination techniques, lesion localization, vestibular and cranial nerve disorders, seizure management, spinal cord pathologies, and neuromuscular diseases. The course aims to empower veterinarians to confidently identify and treat neurological conditions in dogs and cats. This course is a great opportunity for veterinarians to advance their neurology expertise.
Lab Location: VECCS Office – San Antonio, TX
Open to: Veterinarians & Student Veterinarians
Lab Cost: $650.00
CE Credit: Participates Receive 12.5 Medical CE Credits (Pending RACE Approval)
February 20, 2025 8:30 am – 12:30 pm(GMT-06:00)
20feb9:00 am10:00 amNew Member Orientation – February 2025Welcome! We’re so excited to have you!
New members and long-time members alike, join us via Zoom, for this informative and fun orientation covering the following VECCS info:
New members and long-time members alike, join us via Zoom, for this informative and fun orientation covering the following VECCS info:
February 20, 2025 9:00 am – 10:00 am(GMT-06:00)
March 2025
12mar11:00 am12:00 pmLeadership Connection – March 2025VECCS Monthly Mingle
Join us in a safe space where you can talk, share, brainstorm and commiserate over various clinical topics with fellow VECCS members!
Join us in a safe space where you can talk, share, brainstorm and commiserate over various clinical topics with fellow VECCS members!
Topic: Conflict is not a Dirty Word
Description: Client conflict is often stressful for everyone involved, and clients in veterinary emergency settings are particularly primed for conflict. In this round table discussion we will learn why the emergency setting makes conflict even more likely and consider some of the most common sources of client conflict in the ER and ICU.
Conflict is a natural process and, if well managed, can lead to better systems, protocols, relationships, patient care and outcomes. Learn the art of conflict de-escalation, facilitation, and resolution to preserve client relationships and team member mental health.
Moderator: Cat Walker, RVN, Cert IV VN, NMAS, LLB, Grad Dip (Legal Practice), BA(Hons)(International Studies)
March 12, 2025 11:00 am – 12:00 pm(GMT-06:00)
20mar9:00 am10:00 amNew Member Orientation – March 2025Welcome! We’re so excited to have you!
New members and long-time members alike, join us via Zoom, for this informative and fun orientation covering the following VECCS info:
New members and long-time members alike, join us via Zoom, for this informative and fun orientation covering the following VECCS info:
March 20, 2025 9:00 am – 10:00 am(GMT-06:00)
April 2025
09apr11:00 am12:00 pmMonthly Meetup – April 2025VECCS Monthly Mingle
Join us in a safe space where you can talk, share, brainstorm and commiserate over various clinical topics with fellow VECCS members!
Join us in a safe space where you can talk, share, brainstorm and commiserate over various clinical topics with fellow VECCS members!
Topic: TBD
Description: TBD
Moderator: TBD
April 9, 2025 11:00 am – 12:00 pm(GMT-06:00)
17apr9:00 am10:00 amNew Member Orientation – April 2025Welcome! We’re so excited to have you!
New members and long-time members alike, join us via Zoom, for this informative and fun orientation covering the following VECCS info:
New members and long-time members alike, join us via Zoom, for this informative and fun orientation covering the following VECCS info:
April 17, 2025 9:00 am – 10:00 am(GMT-06:00)
May 2025
14may11:00 am12:00 pmLeadership Connection – May 2025VECCS Monthly Mingle
Join us in a safe space where you can talk, share, brainstorm and commiserate over various clinical topics with fellow VECCS members!
Join us in a safe space where you can talk, share, brainstorm and commiserate over various clinical topics with fellow VECCS members!
Topic: Becoming Blame Aware
Description: Challenge the normal approach to M&M Rounds and learning from mistakes to create a more collaborative learning environment that is “blame-aware”. This talk is for those who want to improve their M&M rounds and create a more supportive and collaborative team approach to learning that will help teams grow into the future.
Moderator: James Oldeschulte, DVM
May 14, 2025 11:00 am – 12:00 pm(GMT-06:00)
15may9:00 am10:00 amNew Member Orientation – May 2025Welcome! We’re so excited to have you!
New members and long-time members alike, join us via Zoom, for this informative and fun orientation covering the following VECCS info:
New members and long-time members alike, join us via Zoom, for this informative and fun orientation covering the following VECCS info:
May 15, 2025 9:00 am – 10:00 am(GMT-06:00)
June 2025
05junAll Day07European Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Congress 2025
Attend the largest gathering of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care in Europe. Attended by over 900 delegates, from 50 countries, across 3 full days with
Attend the largest gathering of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care in Europe. Attended by over 900 delegates, from 50 countries, across 3 full days with world renowned speakers. Whether you are a vet or nurse: raise your level of Emergency and Intensive care.
June 5, 2025 – June 7, 2025 (All Day)(GMT-06:00)
11jun11:00 am12:00 pmMonthly Meetup – June 2025VECCS Monthly Mingle
Join us in a safe space where you can talk, share, brainstorm and commiserate over various clinical topics with fellow VECCS members!
Join us in a safe space where you can talk, share, brainstorm and commiserate over various clinical topics with fellow VECCS members!
Topic: TBD
Description: TBD
Moderator: TBD
June 11, 2025 11:00 am – 12:00 pm(GMT-06:00)
New members and long-time members alike, join us via Zoom, for this informative and fun orientation covering the following VECCS info:
New members and long-time members alike, join us via Zoom, for this informative and fun orientation covering the following VECCS info:
June 19, 2025 9:00 am – 10:00 am(GMT-06:00)
July 2025
09jul11:00 am12:00 pmLeadership Connection – July 2025VECCS Monthly Mingle
Join us in a safe space where you can talk, share, brainstorm and commiserate over various clinical topics with fellow VECCS members!
Join us in a safe space where you can talk, share, brainstorm and commiserate over various clinical topics with fellow VECCS members!
Topic: TBD
Description: TBD
Moderator: Crystal Stokes, MA, LMFT
July 9, 2025 11:00 am – 12:00 pm(GMT-06:00)
17jul9:00 am10:00 amNew Member Orientation – July 2025Welcome! We’re so excited to have you!
New members and long-time members alike, join us via Zoom, for this informative and fun orientation covering the following VECCS info:
New members and long-time members alike, join us via Zoom, for this informative and fun orientation covering the following VECCS info:
July 17, 2025 9:00 am – 10:00 am(GMT-06:00)
August 2025
13aug11:00 am12:00 pmMonthly Meetup – August 2025VECCS Monthly Mingle
Join us in a safe space where you can talk, share, brainstorm and commiserate over various clinical topics with fellow VECCS members!
Join us in a safe space where you can talk, share, brainstorm and commiserate over various clinical topics with fellow VECCS members!
Topic: TBD
Description: TBD
Moderator: Dr. Sheilah Robertson, BVMS (Hons), PhD, DACVAA, DECVAA, DACAW, DECAWBM (WSEL), CertVA, FRCVS
August 13, 2025 11:00 am – 12:00 pm(GMT-06:00)
21aug9:00 am10:00 amNew Member Orientation – August 2025Welcome! We’re so excited to have you!
New members and long-time members alike, join us via Zoom, for this informative and fun orientation covering the following VECCS info:
New members and long-time members alike, join us via Zoom, for this informative and fun orientation covering the following VECCS info:
August 21, 2025 9:00 am – 10:00 am(GMT-06:00)
September 2025
04sep8:00 am9:00 amMonthly Meetup – In-Person @IVECCS – September 2025VECCS Monthly Mingle
There is no virtual monthly mingle this month. We look forward to all the in-person mingling in San Diego @IVECCS. Monthly Mingles will resume in
There is no virtual monthly mingle this month. We look forward to all the in-person mingling in San Diego @IVECCS. Monthly Mingles will resume in October.
September 4, 2025 8:00 am – 9:00 am(GMT-06:00)
18sep9:00 am10:00 amNew Member Orientation – September 2025Welcome! We’re so excited to have you!
New members and long-time members alike, join us via Zoom, for this informative and fun orientation covering the following VECCS info:
New members and long-time members alike, join us via Zoom, for this informative and fun orientation covering the following VECCS info:
September 18, 2025 9:00 am – 10:00 am(GMT-06:00)
October 2025
08oct11:00 am12:00 pmMonthly Meetup – October 2025VECCS Monthly Mingle
Join us in a safe space where you can talk, share, brainstorm and commiserate over various clinical topics with fellow VECCS members!
Join us in a safe space where you can talk, share, brainstorm and commiserate over various clinical topics with fellow VECCS members!
Topic: TBD
Description: TBD
Moderator: TBD
October 8, 2025 11:00 am – 12:00 pm(GMT-06:00)
16oct9:00 am10:00 amNew Member Orientation – October 2025Welcome! We’re so excited to have you!
New members and long-time members alike, join us via Zoom, for this informative and fun orientation covering the following VECCS info:
New members and long-time members alike, join us via Zoom, for this informative and fun orientation covering the following VECCS info:
October 16, 2025 9:00 am – 10:00 am(GMT-06:00)
November 2025
12nov11:00 am12:00 pmLeadership Connection – November 2025VECCS Monthly Mingle
Join us in a safe space where you can talk, share, brainstorm and commiserate over various clinical topics with fellow VECCS members!
Join us in a safe space where you can talk, share, brainstorm and commiserate over various clinical topics with fellow VECCS members!
Topic: TBD
Description: TBD
Moderator: Lisa Hacker, LMSW
November 12, 2025 11:00 am – 12:00 pm(GMT-06:00)
20nov9:00 am10:00 amNew Member Orientation – November 2025Welcome! We’re so excited to have you!
New members and long-time members alike, join us via Zoom, for this informative and fun orientation covering the following VECCS info:
New members and long-time members alike, join us via Zoom, for this informative and fun orientation covering the following VECCS info:
November 20, 2025 9:00 am – 10:00 am(GMT-06:00)
December 2025
10dec11:00 am12:00 pmMonthly Meetup – December 2025VECCS Monthly Mingle
Join us in a safe space where you can talk, share, brainstorm and commiserate over various clinical topics with fellow VECCS members!
Join us in a safe space where you can talk, share, brainstorm and commiserate over various clinical topics with fellow VECCS members!
Topic: TBD
Description: TBD
Moderator: TBD
December 10, 2025 11:00 am – 12:00 pm(GMT-06:00)
18dec9:00 am10:00 amNew Member Orientation – December 2025Welcome! We’re so excited to have you!
New members and long-time members alike, join us via Zoom, for this informative and fun orientation covering the following VECCS info:
New members and long-time members alike, join us via Zoom, for this informative and fun orientation covering the following VECCS info:
December 18, 2025 9:00 am – 10:00 am(GMT-06:00)