A newly announced partnership between the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) and the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) will focus on supporting the professional growth and success of veterinary technicians and entire veterinary teams.

According to a news release from the NAVC, the agreement entails NAVC serving as NAVTA's association management partner. NAVC will provide the NAVTA board of directors and executive director with a variety of services including helping to manage the daily activities of NAVTA.

They will jointly hire an executive director to guide the partnership and support the NAVC's veterinary technician programs, NAVC said.

During the alliance, the two organizations will collaborate on the development of new products and services for educating veterinary technicians, such as webinars, articles, conference lecture tracks, and online courses.

Working together to advance the veterinary community

Julie Legred, CVT, NAVTA's interim executive director, explained how the partnership will enable NAVTA to increase the reach of its continuing education and professional resources to veterinary technicians in North America.

"This partnership is exciting for veterinary technicians because it opens up a large number of opportunities to provide leading edge continuing education choices for North America, with the best use of people and resources," Legred said. "NAVTA will maintain its own entity, operate under its same constitution and by-laws, and continue to work with all sponsors and conferences as they have in the past, embracing many veterinary organizations and allied associations. This partnership will now enable NAVTA to offer and provide input into many additional benefits and opportunities for veterinary technicians, while polishing and enhancing the communications and services provided to its members."

According to NAVC 2013-2014 President Lynne E. Johnson-Harris, LVT, RVT, the collaboration will be beneficial for both NAVC and NAVTA in their missions to provide the veterinary profession with high-quality education.

"This is a very exciting time for the two organizations. By joining forces, we will be able to offer the best in continuing education to all members of the veterinary health care team, 24/7, fulfilling the mission of both organizations," Johnson-Harris said.