5 Questions for a VTS Equine Specialist

The Veterinary Technician Specialty (VTS): The mission of the Academy of Equine Veterinary Nursing Technicians (AEVNT) is: “To Advance the education and professional recognition of credentialed equine veterinary technicians who display excellence in and dedication to providing superior nursing care to the equine patient.” 

The Specialist: Kendra Dostaler, BS, RVT, VTS-EVN, graduated as valedictorian from Metropolitan Community College – Maple Woods Veterinary Technology in May 2015. Since then, she has worked in mixed animal and large animal practices. Over the course of her career, she has also given lectures at local and national conferences, launched Kendra the Vet Tech podcast, YouTube instructional videos, and created a Veterinary Telephone Triage flipbook resource guide. She was accepted into the Academy of Equine Veterinary Nursing Technicians, class of 2024, and earned the credentials of VTS (EVN).

1. What made you choose your specialty  area?

Coming out of a vet tech program a VTS was always the plan. I went for many years without a specific specialty in mind, just gaining my bearings, growing my skillset, and knowledge.

Over the years I kept finding myself being drawn back to all things equine. I. Just. Love. Horses.

Not the large animals I originally had in mind, but they truly kept ahold of my heart over the years. My career experience started with general practice and evolved into referral practice. So, I have worked with equid patients over almost every facet of equine veterinary medicine. When it was time to finally pick a specialty the Academy of Equine Veterinary Nursing Technicians just made the most sense.

There are large animal or equine components to several of the academies, but they are very focused on one area of care. The AEVNT encompasses all of the major areas of equine veterinary care. It was a perfect fit for my experience and my desire to participate in all things equine.

2. What is one thing you wish you could tell general practitioners regarding your specialty?

What an asset a VTS can be to a practice! In order to earn a VTS you must first be a credentialed veterinary technician. The only tasks a credentialed veterinary technician cannot perform are: surgery, diagnose, prognose, prescribe. With a VTS in your practice, you are employing a credentialed veterinary technician with a proven advanced skillset and knowledge base. Through delegation, the sky becomes the limit to leverage these individuals and maximize the efficiency of your practice. When we are more efficient, we can help more animals.

3. What is one thing that would make your job more satisfying?

Being utilized to the maximum potential of our skillset and legal ability is the most satisfying thing. With my specialty including all things equine, I don’t really care what the work is for the day as long as I get to help a horse (sometimes a donkey).

4. What is the most rewarding part of being an equine VTS?

I absolutely love this specialty because I can seamlessly be a part of (almost) any aspect of an equine patient’s care. Additionally, the amount of experience and work that goes into obtaining these credentials really levels up the confidence and trust from the veterinarian. My absolute favorite aspect of being a technician in general is patient care. Since having my VTS, I have noticed a dynamic change with the veterinarians I work with. They seem to listen closer to even the smallest concerns, and ask my thoughts and opinions about patient care.

5. What advice would you give to someone considering your specialty?

Do your best to work in a few different aspects of equine veterinary medicine before you try to pursue application to Academy of Equine Veterinary Nursing Technicians. It is easily completed at one hospital that offers most aspects of equine care, as you rotate through all the services. But this is not something that you can complete by having only experience in a completely ambulatory practice.

A lot of the skills require advanced experience in a hospital setting with hospitalized critical patients, foals, general anesthesia, etc.

The skills list also requires mastery of a skill. Meaning you need to be able to complete the skill consistently and without supervision. All of this will require more than one weekend at a referral facility. Plan your career accordingly.

Photos courtesy of Kendra Dostaler

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