Swing by the check-in spot near the main lobby on level 4 to snag your badge and a swag bag packed with giveaways!

Admit it! You’ve been waiting for a chance to sneak away and explore Denver’s food scene during VETtech U. Just steps from The Art Hotel, you’ll find yourself surrounded by incredible restaurants—perfect for wandering, tasting, and soaking in the city’s vibrant energy after a full day of sessions. 🌟

Skip the usual routine and treat yourself—whether it’s a cozy solo dinner nearby or a spontaneous night out discovering what downtown Denver has to offer. Go on, take yourself out… you’ve earned it!

Stop by the FIRE Restaurant/Lounge for some serious networking as we give you a mile-high welcome! Swing by for a sip and some free drinks & snacks! #EventFun

A message from our generous sponsors, who play a vital role in supporting our initiatives and making our programs possible.

In this 50-minute lecture, Kara Burns MS, MEd, LVT, VTS (Nutrition); Walter Brown, RVTg, VTS (ECC); Tiffany Gendron, CVT, VTS (ECC), Amy Johnson, BS, LVT, RLATG, CVJ; Brianne Morrow, LVT, VTS (Nutrition); and Robin Saar, RVT, VTS (Nutrition) will share insights and experiences, followed by an interactive Q&A session with the audience about on how to turn the lemons of adversity into the lemonade of a rewarding career in veterinary technology. In the challenging and rewarding field of veterinary medicine, the role of the veterinary technician is indispensable yet demanding. With a turnover rate of 30-35%, significantly higher than the national average of 12-15%, many veterinary technicians leave the profession within 5-10 years. This panel discussion addresses the critical question: How can veterinary technicians not only survive but thrive in their profession?

Learning Objectives:

1. Recognize the common challenges faced by veterinary technicians, including physical demands, mental stress, and workplace dynamics.
2. Explore strategies for maintaining passion and finding one's niche within the diverse roles available in veterinary technology.
3. Discuss the importance of continuous education and specialization for career longevity and satisfaction.
4. Identify signs of burnout and compassion fatigue and learn effective coping mechanisms.
5. Evaluate the impact of workplace environment and how to handle toxic situations.
6. Emphasize the importance of a healthy work-life balance and self-care practices.

Sponsored by

CE Credit: 1 Hour

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify and apply basic principles of fluid balance management in hospitalized veterinary patients, distinguishing between signs of dehydration and fluid overload.

2. Establish proficiency in conducting a comprehensive physical examination, including vital signs assessment and recognition of potential complications such as catheter-related issues.

3. Evaluate the effectiveness of nursing interventions in critically ill patients through regular assessment and documentation, ensuring adjustments are made to optimize patient outcomes.

4. Equip yourself with actionable tactics to implement in your practice, irrespective of its type, ensuring immediate application of newly acquired knowledge.

Sponsored by

CE Credit: 1 Hour

In this 1.25-hour lecture Kara Burns MS, MEd, LVT, VTS (Nutrition), will address the often-overlooked aspect of nutrition in the care of hospitalized veterinary patients. Veterinary technicians have a vital role in advocating for and ensuring these patients' nutritional needs are met, as proper nutrition supports immune function, cellular structure, and drug metabolism. Discussing the severe consequences of inadequate nutrition, including lean body mass loss, delayed wound healing, and an increased risk of infections. Will walk through the steps of assessing the nutritional needs of patients and determining the appropriate feeding route, starting with stabilization and addressing issues such as dehydration and electrolyte imbalances to prevent complications.

Feeding methods should be tailored to each patient's condition, with a preference for enteral feeding whenever possible. Explore the pros and cons of different feeding routes, noting that practice acts vary by state. For example, while veterinary technicians may be permitted to place a nasogastric tube in one state, they may only be allowed to manage it in another. Regardless of these variations, all care plans are created and supervised by a veterinarian. The lecture will cover available critical care diets and potential human nutrition options, highlighting nutrients of concern for hospitalized patients. While it can be uncommon, but often fatal, refeeding syndrome, focusing on the nutrients of concern, feeding plans, monitoring, and tailoring these plans. Overall, tube feeding is often associated with emergency and specialty practices; general practices also encounter patients who could benefit from a feeding tube. As veterinary technicians, we play an essential role in encouraging patients to eat, keeping accurate records, and collaborating with veterinarians to provide optimal nutrition and care. Ensuring that we maintain a comfort level on feeding routes, placement, and management will help decrease the pressure we may put on ourselves when the time comes.

Learning Objectives:

1. Recognize the vital role of nutrition in supporting immune function, cellular structure, and drug metabolism for hospitalized veterinary patients.
2. Develop skills to accurately assess the nutritional needs of critically ill patients.
3. Highlight the prioritization of stabilizing patients by addressing dehydration, acid-base, and electrolyte imbalances before initiating nutritional support to prevent additional complications.
4. Evaluate the pros and cons of different feeding routes, with a preference for enteral feeding, and understand the legal and practical considerations for their use in various states.
5. Identify appropriate critical care diets and potential human nutrition options, ensuring they meet the specific needs of hospitalized patients.
6. Acknowledge the risks and signs of refeeding syndrome and learn to monitor and adjust feeding plans to prevent and manage this condition effectively.
7. Enhance your skills and confidence in encouraging patients to eat and collaborating with veterinarians to create and supervise comprehensive nutrition care plans.

Sponsored by

CE Credit: 1.25 Hours

Learning Objectives:

1. Knowledge of commonly encountered cardiovascular emergencies and a review of associated clinical signs.
2. Review of common therapies required with cardiovascular emergencies.
3. Review the diagnostics available to aid in diagnosis and monitoring.
4. Monitoring considerations for the cardiac patient

Sponsored by

CE Credit: 1 Hour

In this 50-minute discussion led by Robin Saar, RVT, VTS (Nutrition) with Kara Burns MS, MEd, LVT, VTS (Nutrition); Brianne Morrow, LVT, VTS (Nutrition); Walter Brown, RVT, VTS (ECC); Tiffany Gendron, CVT, VTS (ECC); and Amy Johnson, BS, LVT, RLATG, CVJ on deck to add a layer of panel discussion and sharing best practices.

Let’s face it—talking about money makes most of us squirm. But the truth is, we can’t transform our economic reality or elevate our profession until we get comfortable with the uncomfortable. This panel is about flipping the script—from “I’m just a tech” to “I’m a revenue driver.” Knowing your worth is the first step. Owning it? That’s where the magic (and the money) happens.

Credentialed veterinary technicians (CrVTs) are uniquely positioned to lead impactful conversations about pet nutrition—a service opportunity as essential as it is underutilized. After all, pets eat every day. By creating CrVT-led nutrition appointments, we can increase client touchpoints, improve patient outcomes, and open up a meaningful revenue stream that supports technician pay raises, hospital growth, and better care.

This session will walk you through how CrVT-driven nutrition services can generate real financial return, foster team cohesion, and fuel professional growth. You’ll leave with the tools to move from awkward to empowered—confident in your value, ready to talk money, and prepared to advocate for a stronger future.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the economic impact of CrVT-driven appointments and articulate their value to hospital leadership.
2. Apply strategies to implement technician-led nutrition services in practice settings, aligning with clinic workflows and goals.
3. Build confidence in navigating challenging conversations around pay, pricing, and the financial worth of CrVT contributions.

Sponsored by

CE Credit: 1 Hour

In this 0.75-hour, LIVE, in-person interactive lecture at the Royal Canin-Boehringer Ingelheim VETtech U 2026 conference, Kara Burns, MS, MEd, LVT, VTS (Nutrition), VTS Hon (Internal Medicine, Dentistry) will unpack the critical role nutrition plays in the multimodal management of cats with FIC — helping veterinary teams think beyond the litter box and bring nutritional strategy to the forefront of patient care. When feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) strikes, it can leave cats stressed, owners overwhelmed, and litter box habits completely “out of the box.” From stress and environmental considerations to moisture intake and targeted nutritional support, this session will connect the dots between science, clinical application, and meaningful client communication. Attendees will leave feeling more confident helping guide pet owners through the ups, downs, and “urine trouble now” moments of FIC management — with the ultimate goal of getting cats comfortably back in the box and strengthening the human-animal bond along the way.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the role nutrition plays within a multimodal approach to managing feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC).
2. Identify key nutritional strategies that support urinary health, hydration, and stress-sensitive feline patients.
3. Recognize how environmental stressors and nutrition intersect in cats experiencing FIC episodes.
4. Feel more confident partnering with pet owners to help cats return comfortably to the litter box while strengthening the human-animal bond through supportive care and communication.
   
   

Sponsored by

CE Credit: .50 Hour

In this 1-hour  LIVE, in-person interactive lecture at the Royal Canin-Boehringer Ingelheim VETtech U 2026 conference, Brianne Morrow, LVT, VTS(Nutrition) and Kara Burns, MS, MEd, LVT, VTS (Nutrition), VTS Hon (Internal Medicine, Dentistry) explore the evolving world of nutrition for diabetic dogs and cats. We’ll dive into the latest updates, including newly released AAHA guidelines, nutritional research, and practical feeding strategies designed to support better outcomes starting with when do you switch the diet. A diabetes diagnosis can feel like a whole new world for both pets and their families—bringing lifestyle changes, new routines, and plenty of questions along the way. Veterinary technicians are uniquely positioned to help transform uncertainty into confidence, guiding pet owners through one of the most impactful aspects of diabetes management: nutrition.

Whether you're supporting a newly diagnosed patient or helping fine-tune long-term management, this session will provide practical tools, evidence-based nutrition strategies, and communication pearls to help make navigating diabetes feel a little less overwhelming—for pets, owners, and veterinary teams alike.

Learning Objectives:

1. Differentiate the classifications and pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats and describe how these differences influence nutritional management.
2. Identify key nutritional priorities and dietary considerations when developing feeding strategies for diabetic canine and feline patients.
3. Recognize important nutrients and dietary components that may impact glycemic control and diabetic management outcomes.
4. Evaluate common misconceptions surrounding carbohydrates and diabetes using current evidence and emerging nutritional research.
5. Apply practical communication strategies to educate pet owners and support successful nutritional management of diabetic pets at home.

Sponsored by

CE Credit: 1 Hour

In this 1-hour lecture, Walter Brown, RVTg, VTS (ECC) and Brianne Morrow, LVT, VTS (Nutrition); will present on how canine parvovirus (CPV) continues to present a significant challenge in veterinary medicine, with untreated cases resulting in mortality rates as high as 90%. Traditionally, management of parvoviral enteritis involved strict fasting to rest the gastrointestinal tract. However, research underscores the pivotal role of early enteral nutrition in reducing morbidity and expediting recovery. This presentation aims to empower veterinary technicians by emphasizing the direct impact of their nursing capabilities and providing the critically needed nutrition to improve patient outcomes. It will delve into the critical importance of initiating enteral feeding promptly, exploring practical methods such as the use of feeding tubes to facilitate nutrition delivery along with how to advocate for them in their patients with pet owners. Participants will gain insights into CPV infection pathophysiology, the benefits of early nutritional support in mitigating intestinal damage and systemic complications, and strategies for effectively gaining approval from owners to place nasoesophageal and nasogastric feeding tubes. The session will also cover optimal care plans and outpatient strategies, equipping technicians to serve pet owners effectively across different care settings.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify clinical signs and diagnostic criteria for suspected CPV infection in young dogs, emphasizing the importance of early recognition and appropriate testing methods
2. Review the principles of infection control and environmental within veterinary settings
3. Assess optimal care strategies within hospital and outpatient care options
4. Discuss key nursing capabilities and tricks of the trade to support patient care
5. Analyze the current use of the canine parvo monoclonal antibody treatment
6. Evaluate the evidence supporting early implementation of enteral nutrition in patients with parvoviral enteritis, contrasting traditional fasting approaches with current best practices.
7. Summarize coax feeding techniques and when it may be necessary to place a feeding tube
8. Explore the key nutritional priorities in feeding plans for puppies with CPV

Sponsored by

CE Credit: 1 Hour

In this 1 hour LIVE, in-person interactive lecture at the Royal Canin-Boehringer Ingelheim VETtech U 2026 conference, Brianne Morrow, LVT, VTS(Nutrition) and Kara Burns, MS, MEd, LVT, VTS (Nutrition) VTS Hon (Internal Medicine, Dentistry) will break down the science, terminology, myths, and opportunities surrounding fresh pet nutrition.

Do your patients ever turn their nose up at their dish? Are clients confused about all the options out there in the pet nutrition world? With fresh pet food now representing a rapidly growing $3.5 billion category, pet owners are dishing out more questions than ever about fresh feeding, ingredient transparency, homemade diets, food safety, and therapeutic nutrition options.
Attendees will explore what “fresh” really means (and what it doesn’t), uncover key regulatory and nutritional considerations, and learn how veterinary teams can confidently discuss fresh diets without falling into the “fresh vs. kibble” debate trap.

From understanding “human grade,” high pressure processing (HPP), and “gently cooked” claims to identifying patients who may benefit from fresh nutrition, this session will empower attendees to meet pet owners where they are — helping guide informed, balanced, and science-led feeding decisions. Because sometimes the most meaningful nutrition conversations begin with a confused pet owner, a hesitant patient, and a food bowl full of questions.

Learning Objectives:

1. Define key terminology commonly used in the fresh pet food category, including fresh, gently cooked, human grade, and high-pressure processing (HPP).

2. Differentiate marketing perceptions from evidence-based nutritional considerations related to fresh and traditional pet food formats.

3. Identify opportunities where fresh nutrition may support patient care and improve nutritional compliance.

4. Discuss safe handling, storage, and bowl hygiene practices associated with fresh pet food feeding. 

5. Feel more confident educating and partnering with pet owners about fresh feeding trends while guiding science-based nutritional decisions tailored to the needs of the pet and household.

Sponsored by

CE Credit: 1 Hour

Ask the experts for insights on key topics discussed during the day's sessions.

Located in Denver’s vibrant Golden Triangle Arts District, guests of The Art Hotel Denver are surrounded by some of the city’s top dining destinations. Enjoy rooftop cocktails and contemporary American cuisine at FIRE Restaurant & Lounge, the hotel’s signature restaurant, or explore nearby favorites just minutes away. Stroll to downtown hotspots near 16th Street including Panzano for elevated Italian dining, Corinne Denver for modern American fare, or local cafés and cocktail lounges throughout the Arts District and LoDo neighborhoods. Whether you are looking for a quick lunch before visiting the Denver Art Museum or a memorable evening downtown, Denver’s culinary scene is right outside your door.

Additional dining inspiration:

• 16th Street dining guide
• Restaurants near The Art Hotel Denver
• Downtown Denver dining near the Arts Complex

In this 1-hour, LIVE, in-person interactive lecture at the Royal Canin-Boehringer Ingelheim VETtech U 2026 conference, Bridget MacDonald CVT, VTS (ECC) discusses the importance of patient safety in terms of adhering to protocols, checklists, and clinical proficiency. While these are essential components of delivering care in veterinary medicine, patient safety is equally dependent on how we communicate with each other and build a culture where everyone feels safe enough to speak up. In a civil environment, team members feel respected and supported within the team dynamic. They can be themselves while working toward the shared goal of improving the lives of animals and providing the best possible care for our patients. In contrast, incivility, whether direct or indirect, can erode communication, trust, and teamwork. It can also increase burnout and the risk of mistakes, negatively impacting patient care and safety. By understanding how human behavior and workplace culture influence safety, we can improve outcomes for our patients and better support the teams caring for them.

Learning Objectives:

1. Upon completion, participants will be able to explain how incivility disrupts communication breakdowns and compromises patient care.

2. Upon completion, participants will be able to define psychological safety and its role in reducing medical errors.

3. Upon completion, participants will be able to identify uncivil behaviors on the hospital floor and the potential impact on medical errors.

4. Upon completion, participants will be able to demonstrate practical strategies to promote a culture of safety that empowers team members to speak up and engage in patient care decisions.

Sponsored by

CE Credit: 1 Hour

In this 1-hour, LIVE, in-person interactive lecture at the Royal Canin-Boehringer Ingelheim VETtech U 2026 conference, Amy Newfield, MS, CVT, VTS (ECC) empowers veterinary technicians to educate pet owners on the importance of year-round protection from endo- and ectoparasites, including the related potential health risks from fleas, ticks, heartworm disease, hookworms, and roundworms. By pairing technical information on parasitology with communication tools and techniques, veterinary technicians will leave this presentation with a solid foundation of how these parasites can affect canine patients and a strategy on how to get more dogs protected.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn about the typical canine patient and the current status of year-round parasite protection for pet dogs in the United States.

2. Review why pet dogs need protection against fleas, ticks, heartworm disease, roundworms, and hookworms year-round.

3. Explore strategies to get more dog owners to leave with a preventive product, including advice on communicating with owners.

Sponsored by

CE Credit: 1 Hour

In this lecture, Amy Newfield, MS, CVT, VTS (ECC) will empower veterinary technicians with the knowledge and skills to educate pet owners about myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), 2 conditions that can lead to congestive heart failure (CHF) in dogs. MMVD alone accounts for a majority of canine heart disease cases in the United States. However, intervention during the preclinical phase of MMVD can delay the onset of CHF in dogs. Veterinary technicians will acquire communication tools and strategies to initiate conversations and articulate the benefits of early identification of MMVD to engage dog owners in proactive screening and diagnostic testing.

Learning Objectives:

1. Explore the prevalence, risk factors, and impact of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs.

2. Learn communication skills to initiate conversations about heart disease with owners of at-risk dog breeds during routine clinic visits.

3. Develop effective educational strategies to explain the progression of heart disease associated with MMVD and emphasize the benefit of engaging in proactive screening and diagnostics.

4. Examine available treatment options for congestive heart failure caused by MMVD or DCM, and learn the monitoring procedures for dogs diagnosed with these heart conditions.

Sponsored by

CE Credit: 1 Hour*

*Pending RACE Approval

In this 1-hour, LIVE, in-person interactive lecture at the Royal Canin-Boehringer Ingelheim VETtech U 2026 conference, Rachel Poulin, RVT, VTS (SAIM) discusses diabetes management. This lecture will review current approaches to managing diabetic dogs and cats, including insulin selection, patient monitoring, diabetic remission, troubleshooting poor regulation, and client education. Special attention will be given to the emerging role of SGLT2 inhibitors, including their indications, benefits, limitations, and potential complications. Attendees will gain practical strategies that can be immediately applied to support diabetic patients in clinical practice.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe current approaches to diabetes management in dogs and cats, including insulin therapy, patient monitoring, and treatment goals.
2. Identify common causes of poor diabetic regulation and develop practical troubleshooting strategies to improve patient outcomes.
3. Discuss the indications, benefits, limitations, and potential adverse effects of SGLT2 inhibitors in the management of diabetic veterinary patients.

Sponsored by

CE Credit: 1 Hour*

*Pending RACE Approval

In this 1-hour, LIVE, in-person interactive lecture at the Royal Canin-Boehringer Ingelheim VETtech U 2026 conference, Amy Johnson, BS, LVT, RLATG, CVJ, delves into strategies for veterinary technicians to assertively advocate for their own roles. As vet techs, sitting passively won't shift the utilization balance in our favor. If you're experiencing underutilization, proactive self-advocacy could be the solution. Discover effective approaches to enlighten and persuade those hesitant to embrace our full potential.

Learning Objectives:

1. Knowledge of who benefits from a fully utilized technician
2. Knowledge of resources available to help make the case for utilization
3. Knowledge of the steps necessary for self-advocation

Sponsored by

CE Credit: 1 Hour