December 2025
09dec7:45 am5:00 pmThe Neurology-Ophthalmology Struggle Workshop & Wet Lab Day 1
Lab Title: The Neurology-Ophthalmology Struggle Workshop & Wet Lab Lab Instructors: Dr. Heidi Barnes Heller & Dr. Robert
Lab Title: The Neurology-Ophthalmology Struggle Workshop & Wet Lab
Lab Instructors: Dr. Heidi Barnes Heller & Dr. Robert L. Swinger
Lab Description: This interactive lab blends essential skills in veterinary neurology and ophthalmology to improve clinicians’ confidence in diagnosing and managing complex emergency cases. Through live animal exams, case-based discussions, and hands-on exercises, participants will refine their neurologic examination techniques, strengthen lesion localization skills, and review management of vestibular disease and acute seizures. The ophthalmology sessions focus on practical surgical and emergency procedures, including eyelid and orbital repairs, corneal and conjunctival techniques, and management of conditions such as proptosis, deep corneal ulcers, and glaucoma. A shared neuro-ophthalmology discussion will highlight the intersection of both specialties through real case examples and participant interaction.
Lab Location: VECCS Office – San Antonio, TX
Lab Cost: $900.00 (Includes Day 1 & Day 2)
CE Credit: Participates Receive 12 Medical CE Credits
10dec8:00 am12:30 pmThe Neurology-Ophthalmology Struggle Workshop & Wet Lab Day 2
Lab Title: The Neurology-Ophthalmology Struggle Workshop & Wet Lab Lab Instructors: Dr. Heidi Barnes Heller & Dr. Robert
Lab Title: The Neurology-Ophthalmology Struggle Workshop & Wet Lab
Lab Instructors: Dr. Heidi Barnes Heller & Dr. Robert L. Swinger
Lab Description: This interactive lab blends essential skills in veterinary neurology and ophthalmology to improve clinicians’ confidence in diagnosing and managing complex emergency cases. Through live animal exams, case-based discussions, and hands-on exercises, participants will refine their neurologic examination techniques, strengthen lesion localization skills, and review management of vestibular disease and acute seizures. The ophthalmology sessions focus on practical surgical and emergency procedures, including eyelid and orbital repairs, corneal and conjunctival techniques, and management of conditions such as proptosis, deep corneal ulcers, and glaucoma. A shared neuro-ophthalmology discussion will highlight the intersection of both specialties through real case examples and participant interaction.
Lab Location: VECCS Office – San Antonio, TX
Lab Cost: $900.00 (Includes Day 1 & Day 2)
CE Credit: Participates Receive 12 Medical CE Credits
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: VPA – Now what? Where are we and where do we go from here?
Description: Colorado voters passed Proposition 129 on the November 2025 ballot, establishing the Mid-Level Practitioner role, officially titled Veterinary Professional Associate. This position will take effect on January 1, 2026. VPAs, after obtaining a master’s degree, will be authorized to diagnose, develop treatment plans, and perform surgeries under the supervision of licensed veterinarians. The introduction of the VPA position has drawn mixed reactions; supporters see it as a way to address workforce shortages and improve access to care, while critics question the adequacy of training and its potential impact on the roles of existing veterinary professionals.
Come to hear this panel of experts from AVMA, Colorado State University, NAVTA, and an experienced Veterinary Technician Specialist talk about VPAs!
Moderator: Lori Kogan, Ph.D. with Panelists Erin Henninger, Paula Parker, Wayne Jensen
Bio: Dr. Lori Kogan is a Professor of Clinical Sciences for the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University. She is the Chair of the Human-Animal Interaction section of the American Psychological Association and Editor-in-Chief of the Human-Animal Interaction journal. She presents regularly on topics related to human animal interactions in both psychology and veterinary medicine venues.
15dec8:00 pm9:00 pmManagement of Emergent TachyarrhythmiasVECCS x VIN Webinar
By: Chris McLaughlin, DVM, DACVECC, DACVIM (Cardiology) Description: This lecture will focus on the most common tachyarrhythmias seen in emergent patients (including
By: Chris McLaughlin, DVM, DACVECC, DACVIM (Cardiology)
Description: This lecture will focus on the most common tachyarrhythmias seen in emergent patients (including ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias) and discuss a practical diagnostic approach to patients presenting for tachyarrhythmia. Differentiating ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias will be covered before discussion about specific management strategies for tachyarrhythmia. Areas of focus will include what to do when lidocaine doesn’t work for ventricular tachycardia, as well as management of ventricular tachyarrhythmias in cats.
By the end of the session, attendees will be able to:
Speaker Info: Dr. Chris McLaughlin is originally from Woodstock, New Brunswick, Canada. After earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Atlantic Veterinary College, Dr. McLaughlin completed an internship at the Ontario Veterinary College. In 2016, he completed a residency in Emergency and Critical Care at North Carolina State University before relocating to South Florida to practice at two large referral hospitals. During his time as Director of Emergency and Critical Care, Dr. McLaughlin developed a strong interest in minimally invasive interventional procedures. This passion led him to pursue a second residency in Cardiology at North Carolina State University, which he completed in July 2023. Dr. McLaughlin is deeply passionate about practicing Cardiology, particularly interventional procedures, and has extensive experience managing a wide range of congenital and acquired heart defects. He finds it incredibly rewarding to intervene in puppies and kittens with heart disease and help them live long, healthy lives. With his background in Emergency and Critical Care medicine, Dr. McLaughlin also excels in the inpatient management of critically ill and complex cardiopulmonary cases, including heart failure and arrhythmias. Above all, he finds great fulfillment in building lasting relationships with clients, their pets, and their family veterinarians while managing chronic heart disease.
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:
January 2026
14jan11:00 am12:00 pmLeadership Connection – January 2026VECCS 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: Veterinary Social Work 101
Description: Veterinary Social Work (VSW) is a specialized area of practice that bridges human well-being and animal health. It focuses on the ways the human–animal bond impacts individuals, families, and communities, and how social workers can support both people and veterinary professionals in these settings. This field integrates core social work values with veterinary medicine, emphasizing:
The human–animal bond – recognizing the therapeutic, emotional, and social benefits of relationships with animals.
This roundtable discussion is for anyone who wants to learn more about VSW, utilizing an open forum to answer any questions you may have.
Client support – helping pet owners navigate grief and loss, decision-making, and the emotional aspects of animal care.
Professional support – addressing compassion fatigue, moral stress, and workplace well-being among veterinary teams.
Community impact – engaging in advocacy, education, research, and crisis response around issues such as animal cruelty, public health, and access to care.
Moderator & Bio: Lisa Hacker, LMSW
Lisa is a licensed social worker in the state of Arizona with a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She began her career in pediatric medical social work before launching her first veterinary social work program at a private practice in 2018. Lisa is a contributing author to The Comprehensive Guide to Interdisciplinary Veterinary Social Work (2021) and Careers in One Health: Social Workers’ Roles in Caring for Humans and Their Animal Companions (2024). Currently, she serves as the Director of Social Services for an employee-owned practice in the metro Phoenix area. In this role, she oversees social work services across multiple locations and supervises practicum placements for graduate social work students from ASU.
March 2026
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