Andrea graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Specialized Honours Zoology from the University of Guelph. Andrea completed the Veterinary Technician Diploma at the Ridgetown College Campus, University of Guelph. In 2011, Andrea graduated with a Master’s degree in Veterinary Clinical Studies, with a focus on hospital associated infections in the ICU. Andrea is an experienced RVT in an ICU environment, and now supervises the ICU and Anesthesia teams. She became a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Emergency and Critical Care (VTS(ECC)), becoming a member of the Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians and Nurses (AVECCTN). Andrea has been a very active member of AVECCTN, having been the Examination Chair, Executive Secretary, and President of the Board of Directors. In 2023, Andrea was honoured to be among the first recipients of the new Lifetime Member designation for AVECCTN, allowing her to use the VTS(ECC)-Life designation.
Andrea is an experienced veterinary educator and lecturer, and regularly speaks at national and international veterinary conferences. A short list of conferences includes:
- International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Symposium (IVECCS).
- British Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress (BSAVA)
- Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Annual Conference
- Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians Annual Conference
- American Animal Hospital Association’s Annual Conference
- Western Veterinary Conference ** Voted 2014 Technician Educator of the Year!
- VMX (formerly North American Veterinary Conference)
- Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia’s Annual Conference
In addition to conference engagements, Andrea has developed live and online courses which she offers through her website. Andrea’s areas of specialization include: respiratory nursing, renal nursing, patient safety, and hospital-associated infections.
Andrea has published two veterinary textbooks and chapters in several other textbooks, in addition to co-authoring several peer-reviewed papers.
Other Related Activities
- Program Committee Co-Chair for the International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Symposium
- Academic Advisory Committee for the Veterinary Technology Program of Conestoga College
- Peer-Reviewer for the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association (JAAHA)
- RECOVER Certified CPR Instructor
Memberships
Andrea is a member of the Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians, the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society, Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians and the Association of Veterinary Technician Educators.
Awards
- 2015 Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians Specialty Technician of the Year
- 2014 Western Veterinary Conference Technician Educator of the Year
- 2013 and 2021 Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians Outstanding Contributions Award
- 2023 Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians and Nurses Life Member Award for meritorious service.
