> Articles by: ChristpinaThe CVMA is excited to announce the five participants in the Donald G. Low/CVMA Clinical Veterinary Medicine Academy for the 2025–2026 academic year. Congratulations to these five outstanding individuals for being chosen for this program! The academy scholars and their service assignments (SA) are as follows:
The National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP) enables enrolled veterinarians to issue interstate and international animal health certificates, which are required for animals to cross state or country borders. The program is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS).
Each year, the CVMA recognizes individuals who represent the very best of veterinary medicine in California. This year, the CVMA honors Deborah Calantropio-Covington, MSc, RVT VTS-LAM, RLATG with the Linda Markland Outstanding RVT of the Year in Non-Private Practice Award. This award honors registered veterinary technicians (RVT) demonstrating outstanding professional ability, including educational achievements, individual contributions, professional affiliations, and special experience that sets them apart from others.
TARYN DEOILERS: What inspired you to pursue your VTS?
NICOLE DICKERSON: The first CE conference I ever attended was the Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas. This was when I was still in veterinary technician school, so I was just starting out and finding out where my interests lie. I was so inspired by the veterinary technician specialists who gave lectures on complex subjects, such as the pathophysiology of diabetic ketoacidosis or special considerations for neonatal patients. I thought, “What a special thing to stand in front of your vet tech community and create enthusiasm for the rough and tumble job that we do every day.”
Limb propulsion in quadrupeds differs significantly from the bipedal locomotion more familiar to us. Analyzing the kinematics of canine movement offers valuable insight into the mechanics of mobility, highlighting both vulnerabilities and strategies for restoring function. From a bipedal perspective, it may seem surprising that cruciate ligament injuries are more prevalent in dogs than in humans. Based solely on weight distribution, one might expect humans— bearing full body weight on just two limbs— to …
The CVMA’s Certified Veterinary Assistant (CVA) program was established to provide veterinary practitioners with more qualified, professional, and productive employees in traditional entry-level positions of the veterinary support staff. In addition to being offered to individual veterinary assistants, the program is also offered to high schools, regional occupational programs, and technical colleges in partnership with veterinarians and RVTs, who serve as mentors and program advisors.
Are you a recent veterinary graduate who feels helpless when it comes to money? You didn’t choose veterinary medicine for the money. You chose this path to serve pets. But those student loans are creating constant stress. While you achieved something incredibly difficult in earning your DVM, you might feel lost when it comes to your own financial health. You’re not alone, and you’re not “bad with money.” You don’t have to choose between veterinary medicine and your financial goals!
As the CVMA has previously reported, CVMA-opposed bill SB 687 (Ochoa Bogh) was held in the Senate Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee earlier this year. SB 687 would allow human chiropractors to directly diagnose and treat animal patients without any veterinarian supervision and at their own place of business, instead of at a registered veterinary premises as the law currently allows. In lieu of advancing the bill, the author was offered an informational hearing so that Senators on the committee could learn more about the complex issue.
The CVMA is pleased to have presented Assemblymember Ash Kalra with the 2025 Legislator of the Year Award last Wednesday, August 20. This award honors legislators demonstrating an understanding of and appreciation for the unique complexities of the veterinary medical profession and who celebrate the positive contributions of the veterinarians, registered veterinary technicians, researchers, veterinary students, and veterinary medical faculty in our state.
Wildfires have become a frequent and heartbreaking reality in California. As of May 6, 2025, Cal Fire reports 63,677 acres burned and 16,251 structures destroyed by 1,292 fires this year alone. Many Californians have and will continue to face evacuation and loss, making this an increasingly challenging problem.
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