Our History
The beginning of the Arizona Veterinary Technician Association was a very happy accident. The right people crossed paths at the right time. Stefanie Perry, Jennifer Serling, and Katie Foust began meeting virtually (in the middle of the pandemic) and began the long process of starting a not-for-profit organization and finding like-minded people willing to donate their time.
Our vision for the VTA was to create a community among us, as veterinary technicians, that would lead to inciting positive change in our profession. Vet Techs, although hard working and dedicated to our patients, are struggling to make a living and thrive in veterinary medicine. There is more momentum than ever to make progress and organizations are mobilizing across the country to unify and enrich our profession. Students leaving veterinary technician school need mentorship and support to grow as a professional and protect themselves from the rigors of the job market. Any profession has it's pitfalls but vet med is even more vulnerable to mental health issues and suicide. The most important component to prevention is planning and resources. The AzVTA hopes to eventually provide that with the support of our members. Consider joining us because we are so much stronger together.
Meet The Board of Directors
Jennifer Serling, CVT, RVT, VTES, AAS, BVSc
President
president.azvta@gmail.com
Jennifer Serling is a veterinary technology educator and licensed veterinary technician with over three decades of experience in clinical practice and veterinary education. She currently serves as Director of the Bachelor of Veterinary Technology Program at Appalachian State University. She previously directed veterinary technician programs at Pima Medical Institute and taught large animal medicine through Penn Foster College. Jenn holds a Bachelor of Veterinary Science from the University of Arizona, an Associate of Science from Penn Foster's Veterinary Technology Program, and a Master's in Veterinary Education from Lincoln Memorial University, and is a Certified/Registered Veterinary Technician in both Arizona and North Carolina. A prolific author and speaker, she has written two editions of Large Animal Medicine and Nursing for Veterinary Technicians, co-authored Practical Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians, and contributed dozens of articles and conference presentations on veterinary technology education and large animal medicine. She is deeply engaged in professional leadership, currently serving as President of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) and formerly as President of the Association of Veterinary Technician Educators, alongside board roles with several animal welfare and rescue organizations.
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Benita Altier is a Licensed Veterinary Technician and a Dental Technician Specialist. She began her career in veterinary technology in 1988 and has worked in small animal general medicine, ophthalmology, equine and llama neonatal care, canine reproduction, and dental specialty.
Benita is the Past-President of the Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians, President-Elect for the Arizona Veterinary Technician Association, and former Secretary of the Washington State Association of Veterinary Technicians. She has co-authored two textbooks on veterinary dentistry for technicians and published several articles in professional journals.
Through her business, Pawsitive Dental Education LLC, she has provided professional dental instruction and consultation to veterinary hospitals and conferences across the US, Canada, and China since 2008. She is passionate about giving back to the profession and helping veterinary technicians grow their careers in ways they never thought possible.
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Stefanie Perry, CVT, VTS (Dentistry)
Immediate Past President
pastpresident.azvta@gmail.com
Stefanie has been in the veterinary field for over 20 years, starting in reception and following the job training path through assistant duties, technician duties, lead technician, and practice manager. She has worked in small animal clinical practice in Arizona since 2006 after moving from Chicago. She received her CVT in 2010 and an Associate's of Science in Business Management in 2017. She began the process of pursuing her VTS (Dentistry) in 2018 and passed the board exam in 2020.
She is currently working at Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine in the dental suite, helping to teach technical and dentistry skills to the next generation of DVMs.
She also operates her own business, VetNerd Dentistry Training LLC, teaching, lecturing, and providing wet labs in veterinary dentistry. She has served as a speaker and co-instructor of wet labs at national conferences and continues to seek opportunities to elevate general practice dentistry skills nationwide. She has been married for 21 years and has a 17 year old son as well as 3 crazy dogs at home.
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Briana Fraley, CVT
Treasurer
treasurer.azvta@gmail.com
Briana is a Certified Veterinary Technician as well as a Veterinary Medical Laser Safety Officer. She has worked historically in large animal general practices, with extensive knowledge in equine medicine. Briana is also actively involved in the American Association of Equine Veterinary Technicians (AAEVT) and the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA). Education of technicians and technician students is something she has become quite passionate about. Briana currently resides in Tucson, Arizona with her heeler mix “Buffy”.
Jenna Carlson, CVT
Secretary
secretary.azvta@gmail.com
Jenna has been in the Veterinary field for 23 yrs and has been a CVT for 20 yrs. Jenna is currently supporting Veterinary Technicians through her role as a hospital manager. Jenna has been an active committee member with the AzVTA for 2 yrs.
Kelsey Marriott, CVT
Director at Large
dal1.azvta@gmail.com
Kelsey Marriott BS, AAS ( Equine), AAS ( Veterinary Technology), CVT is the clinical director and an instructor at Pima Medical Institute’s East Valley campus. She has more than 12 years of experience in veterinary medicine, with a background spanning equine practice, mixed animal, general practice, and speciality medicine. Her work focuses on externship development, clinical training, and strengthening workforce readiness for veterinary technician students.
Lisa Kernaghan, CVT, VTS (ECC)
Director at Large
Lisa Kernaghan, LVT, RVT, CVT, VTS (ECC), CCFP, is the Provost and Program Director of Veterinary Technology at the MVP School for Veterinary Professionals. With nearly 40 years of experience in veterinary medicine, her career spans emergency and critical care, hospital management, online education, curriculum development, and academic leadership. Lisa is a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Emergency and Critical Care and a Certified Higher Education Professional in Excellence in Online Teaching. She has presented nationally on emergency medicine, patient care, professional development, and veterinary technician education and remains actively involved in advancing the veterinary technology profession.
Tammy (Tat) Hintze-McMahon
Director at Large
Tat Hintze McMahon, CVT, CCRVN, I am excited to serve as a Member-at-Large for the Arizona Veterinary Technician Association. With over 37 years of experience in the veterinary field, I bring a deep commitment to advancing patient care, elevating professional standards, and supporting veterinary technician education.
I also hold additional certification through the Canine Rehabilitation Institute and have a strong passion for rehabilitation and therapeutic exercise, helping patients achieve improved mobility and quality of life. I especially love seeing my patients regain strength-walking and running stronger than before.
I am a dedicated advocate for the profession, and enthusiastic about supporting students and promoting the recognition and protection of credentialed veterinary technicians. In addition to my extensive clinical background, I work in education, helping to train the next generation of veterinary technicians and assistants. I am dedicated to promoting high-quality, standardized education and strengthening the role of veterinary technicians within the profession. I look forward to representing my colleagues, supporting the Association's mission, and contributing to the growth and advancement of veterinary medicine in Arizona.
