Finally! 2010 is here!  We all survived 2009 and the economic crunch. Amazingly enough, the veterinary industry has not taken a downturn in 75 years.

While clients continue to turn their pets in to shelters due to lose of job or worse, their home, the shelters are experiencing record numbers of folks coming in to adopt. Some of our pharmaceutical company partners hit their 2009 numbers and some were over 100% Overall we are still a fairly recession proof profession.

The North American Veterinary Convention was well attended. The Florida Veterinary Technician Association acquired a booth at the Marriott and we staffed it with a wonderful group of totally dedicated technicians. I would like to give my sincere thanks to Heather Kerns CVT, Michelle Earlitinez CVT, Sharyn Niskala CVT, and Karissa Mayer CVT. You are all truly  appreciated.

Shayne Gardner was elected as president-elect for 2011. Shayne is a hospital manager in Coral Springs Florida.

We are still in need of a recording secretary for 2010-2011. Please go to the web site and let us know if you would be interested.

The board will be conducting a strategic planning meeting in Feb. in Sarasota.

Some of the issues that are on the table are:

1.      How can we get more certified technicians to join the FVTA?

2.      We are trying to put together a mentoring tab on our site. The purpose is to promote technicians reaching out to each other when they would like a career change or to request assistance with certain areas of difficulty. For example: How to promote a dental plan for the hospital? There will be a list of Certified Technicians that have a special interest or a specialty certification that could assist with advice on setting that up in a clinic.

3.      Licensure. Where do we stand? What is the FVTA doing to help you?

4.      Amnesty. Technicians that are lapsed. How can we get them back in the fold? We need more technicians in our data base. We need to be a larger force of registered voters that will have a voice in Tallahassee.

I am very excited about this year. 2010 is going to go by rapidly and I would appreciate positive input on everything we are hoping to accomplish. This is a volunteer organization and we are all working toward the same goal. We must speak with one united voice. If anyone in our organization has a complaint about another there must be a written complaint to the board not just negative chatter.

Together we can enact change in our profession. Not one individual can enact the kind of legislative changes that will enhance the lives of people, their beloved pets, and our chosen profession.

Please call or write to me with any ideas,

Linda McAbee CVT President FVTA 2010

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