Damon Thompson, RVT (OAVT President)
Alma Mater: Seneca College, King Campus
First job as an RVT: Forest Hill Animal Clinic
Favourite OAVT Conference memory: Dancing with a wooden Indian in a Hamilton bar.
Best career advice someone gave you: Never give up on your patients OR your clients!
Goals for the RVT profession: Revered professionalism, leadership and compassion ensuring exemplary animal welfare, disease prevention and human-animal bond reinforcement.

Cally Merritt, RVT, CEMT (OAVT Vice President)
Alma Mater: University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus
First job as an RVT: Village Centre Animal Hospital in Binbrook, Ontario
Favourite OAVT Conference memory: Catching up with old friends and classmates that I haven't seen in a while.
Best career advice someone gave you: Never be afraid to take a journey. Go in search of life's possibilities as they are endless.
Goals for the RVT profession: To see RVTs get the recognition they deserve and to be used to their full potential. For the public to see how highly trained and skilled we are so they better understand our role in their pet's health.

Christine Archer, RVT, B.Sc.
Alma Mater: Algonquin College
First job as an RVT: Junior Veterinary Technician at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute
Favourite OAVT Conference memory: Meeting Nancy Brock!
Best career advice someone gave you: “The quality of your work is the quality of their life”. I live by this now.
Goals for the RVT profession: I would like to see RVTs better represented in some less common fields such as research. We are passionate about what we do, and I feel that we can be the best possible advocate for any animals in our care.

Darci Burtch, RVT
Alma Mater: Northern College
First job as an RVT: A small animal clinic in Toronto
Favourite OAVT Conference memory: The first time I went to an awards dinner as an RVT. I saw firsthand the dedication and passion so many RVTs have and their drive to make animal welfare a way of life. It really inspired me!
Best career advice someone gave you: Know your worth.
Goals for the RVT profession: My hope for the RVT profession is that we continue to advance our field. There are already so many possibilities for RVTs, but I know we can do more. From increasing the areas that an RVT can specialize in, to realizing the valuable role an RVT plays in the field of veterinary care, to networking and forming an even stronger sense of community within ourselves as RVTs.

Julia Bitan, RVT
Alma Mater: Seneca College, King Campus
First job as an RVT: Thornhill Veterinary Clinic
Favourite OAVT Conference memory: My favourite OAVT conference memory is from the 2016 conference, after not being able to attend the conference for five years, it was so amazing to be meet old school friends, teachers and all the reps I got to meet through my years in the clinic. It was great to be surrounded by so many amazing and inspiring RVTs in one room.
Best career advice someone gave you: Lead by example - be positive and use humour as much as possible and remember that the our goal is helping our animal patients as a team.
Goals for the RVT profession: See RVTs involved in more government initiatives and public education for our profession.
Jody Carrick, RVT
Past President
According to OAVT by-laws, as the most recent past president of the board Jody will remain a member of the board for the next calendar year.
Stacey Huneke, RVT
Alma Mater: Seneca College
First job as an RVT: Woodbine Racetrack
Favourite OAVT Conference memory: Emceeing the 2014 awards ceremony, I started out by doing an RVT version of Joe Canada. I gave no introduction, people were still getting settled and lost in conversation. The music just started and I started yelling. It caught a lot of people off guard but I got the effect I was after. People still talk to me about it now.
Best career advice someone gave you: "Lift with your knees" and "You should have asked for help".
Goals for the RVT profession: To be recognized as a distinct profession.
Julie Jones, RVT
Alma Mater: St. Lawrence College
First job as an RVT: Mixed animal practice in Barrie
Favourite OAVT Conference memory: The "buzz" in the trade fair, laughter and chit chat, plus all the hugging.
Best career advice someone gave you: Keep your mouth closed when you are squeezing that.
Goals for the RVT profession: RVT's are the "CATALYST" in animal care.
Nancy MacFarlane, RVT, BA
Alma Mater: St. Clair College of Applied Arts and Technology
First job as an RVT: Northdale Animal Clinic in London, Ontario
Favourite OAVT Conference memory: Winning the Award of Merit (2006).
Best career advice someone gave you: Treat every patient as if they were your own pets.
Goals for the RVT profession: Recognition for the great profession that we are. We are credentialed professionals and are an integral part of the veterinary team and as such we are deserving of the recognition that we are seeking.

Lauren O'Leary, RVT, CVPM, B.Ed
Alma Mater: Centralia College (now Ridgetown)
First job as an RVT: Small animal practice in Newmarket Ontario, it came with an apartment and 2 free tonkinese cats!
Favourite OAVT Conference memory: There have been many over the years, but I have to say the “night at the improv” sessions with Andy Roark were a hoot!
Best career advice someone gave you: Find ways to live your passion, then it’s a career, it’s not work.
Goals for the RVT profession: Raising the public’s awareness of the many facets of our profession and what RVT’s contribute as respected members of the veterinary health care team. The watershed moment for me will be when legislation reflects our title and owners begin to ask if the staff caring for their pets are credentialed RVTs because they are seeking that standard of care. The pinnacle will be when the veterinarians we work with fully embrace that attitude as well.

Shaneka Willer, RVT
Alma Mater: St. Clair College of Applied Arts and Technology
First job as an RVT: A 24-hour small animal hospital in Windsor, on the night shift of course.
Favourite OAVT Conference memory: The first time I stepped into the Trade Show while I was still in school. Everything was so bright and shiny and new! I barely even knew what the products were, but everything was wonderful.
Best career advice someone gave you: Stop. Think. Make a good decision.
Goals for the RVT profession: There have been so many advancements to how our profession is perceived by the public during my short(ish) career, and I would like to see this continue. It is my goal that RVTs be recognized as an educated, experienced, knowledgeable and integral part of animals' medical care. I will continue to work hard every day to be considered more than just 'one of the girls in the back'.
Past OAVT Board of Directors
Over the last four decades, the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians has helped to shape and improve the RVT profession. Since the early 1970s, the OAVT has been led by a passionate Board of Directors whose goals and ambition are still at the heart of our organization.
Thank you to our past Board of Directors who have helped to shape the OAVT.
1972
William Gonder (President)
Vicky Hannam
Donald Johnston
Sheila Slater
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1973
William Gonder (President)
Pat Johnston
Tim Dunlop
Bob McKean
Vicky Hannam
Sheila Slater
John Harlton
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1974
William Gonder (President)
Pat Johnston
John Harlton
Sheila Slater
Janet Wade
Vicky Hannam
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1975
Sheila Slater (President)
Pat Johnston
Tim Dunlop
Vicky Hannam
Charlotte Foster
Bill Gonder
Bob Burley
Penny Souilliere
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1976
Tim Dunlop (President)
Joanne Hamel
Bill Gonder
Vicky Hannam
Charlotte Foster
Bob Burley
Shelley Nemeth
Barb Taylor
Barb Fisher
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1977
Laura Keck (President)
Jim Rahn (VP)
Barb Taylor
Brenda Basinger
Charlotte Foster
Steve Hood
Susan Brenner
Mary Albers
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1978
Laura Keck (President)
Jim Rahn (VP)
Barb Taylor
Mary Albers
Steve Hood
Chris Lipohar
Heather Clark
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1979
Laura Keck (President)
Jim Rahn (VP)
Barb Taylor
Heather Clark
Marg Brown
Steve Hood
Chris Lipohar
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1979-80
Laura Keck (President)
Janet De Stephanis (VP)
Barb Taylor
Lesley Lewis
Marg Brown
Chris Lipohar
Maggie Skinner
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1980-81
Laura Keck (President)
Janet De Stephanis (VP)
Chris Lipohar
Lesley Lewis
Marg Brown
Bruce Calderwood
Maggie an Suchtelen
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1981-82
Laura Keck (President)
Kathy Gillanders (VP)
Chris Lipohar
Ann Toman
Lorna Irwin
Bruce Calderwood
Chris Labreque
Marg Brown
Barb Makepeace
Charlotte Coghill
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1982-83
Laura Keck (President)
Janet Zaharchuk (VP)
Helen McNaughton
Linda Lee
Lorna Irwin
Barb Makepeace
Kathy Gillanders
Marg Brown
Charlotte Coghill
Carrie Purcell
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1984
Janet Zaharchuk (President)
Barb Salt
Helen McNaughton
Lucy Knight
Lorna Irwin
Sue Carson
Geoff Evans
Ingrid Alexy-Ferrede
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1985
Janet Zaharchuk (President)
Shirley Inglis
Barb Parsons
Carrie Purcell
Geoff Evans
Sue Carson
David Harding
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1986-87
Carrie Purcell (President)
Barb Parsons (VP)
Chris Quarrington
Tawni Nixon
Sue Carson
Marjorie O'Donnell
Joanne Clark
Shirley Inglis
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1988-89
Barb Parsons (President)
Ingrid Alexy-Ferrede (VP)
Yvonne Lane
Betty-Jo Bromell
Steve Hood
Marjorie O'Donnell
Lynn Jobe
Gillian Smith
Christine Quarrington
Cindy Gies
Debbie Kimbell
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1989-90
Steve Hood (President)
Betty-Jo Bromell (VP)
Yvonne Lane
Cindy Stoate
Annette Wynia
Monica Tighe
Lynn Jobe
Melanie Lisle
Anne Thompson
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1990-91
Steve Hood (President)
Betty-Jo Bromell (VP)
Yvonne Lane
Cindy Stoate
Annette Wynia
Monica Tighe
Anne Thompson
Heather Heibein
Melanie Lisle
Diane Leger
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1991-92
Monica Tighe (President)
Melanie Lisle (VP)
Lauren O'Leary
Jodilynn Pitcher
Kim Townsley
Steve Hood
Jean Huffman
Heather Heibein
Valerie Gauweiler
Diane Leger
Cindy Robertson Gies
Mandy Hathway
Catherine Herman
Celeste Gallant
Kim Campbell
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1992-93
Monica Tighe (President)
Melanie Lisle (VP)
Debbie Aird
Jodilynn Pitcher
Kim Townsley
Steve Hood
Heather Heibein
Mandy Hathway
Jean Huffman
Kim Campbell
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1993-94
Monica Tighe (President)
Jodilynn Pitcher (VP)
Debbie Aird
Melanie Lisle
Amanda Hathway
Heather Robertson
Iona Auger
Sally Clark
Jean Huffman
Kim Campbell
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1994-95
Monica Tighe (President)
Jodilynn Pitcher (VP)
Debbie Cloutier
Melanie Lisle
Amanda Hathway
Heather Robertson
Iona Auger
Sally Clark
Jean Huffman
Kim Campbell
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1996-97
Adora Pridar (President)
Gillian Smith (VP)
Heather Creasey
Angela Brown
Sally Clark
Tracy Peddigrew
Malene DeBoer
Debbie Kingston
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1997-98
Adora Pridar (President)
Gillian Smith (VP)
Heather Creasey
Julie Jones
Sally Clark
Christine Booth
Christina Biggs
Debbie Kingston
Julie Ovington
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1998-99
Julie Ovington (President)
Sally Clark (VP)
Heather Creasey
Julie Jones
Gillian Smith
Christine Booth
Christina Biggs
Debbie Kingston
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1999-2000
Julie Ovington (President)
Christine Booth (VP)
Heather Creasey
Julie Jones
Gillian Smith
Debbie Kingston
Sally Major
Steve Baker
Nikki Lefebvre
Christina Babulal
Tara Sefton
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2000-2001
Julie Ovington (President)
Christine Booth (VP)
Nikki Lefebvre
Damon Thompson
Christina Babulal
Tara Sefton
Rebecca Atkinson
Carol Feil
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2002-2003
Tara Sefton (President)
Christina Babulal (VP)
Nikki Lefebvre
Julie Jones
Damon Thompson
Robyn Frederickson
Rebecca Atkinson
Lisa Saunders
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2003-2004
Tara Sefton (President)
Christina Babulal (VP)
Rebecca Atkinson
Nikki Lefebvre
Lisa Saunders
Senani Ratnayake
Julie Ball
Damon Thompson
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2004-2005
Tara Sefton (President)
Rebecca Atkinson
Jennifer Williams
Tamara Gillen
Lisa Saunders
Senani Ratnayake
Julie Ball
Damon Thompson
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2005-2006
Tara Sefton (President)
Nancy Aitchison
Tamara Gillen
Susan Hines
Lisa Saunders
Senani Ratnayake
Damon Thompson
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2006-2007
Senani Ratnayake (President)
Nancy Aitchison
Tamara Gillen
Susan Hines
Lisa Saunders
Brian Wilson
Kelly Tallon
Jennifer McDonell
Tara Sefton
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2007-2008
Senani Ratnayake (President)
Nancy Medlicott (VP)
Tracy Cunliffe
Catherine Martin
Stephanie Klages
Brian Wilson
Kelly Tallon
Jennifer McDonell
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2008-2009
Tracy Cunliffe (President)
Jennifer King
Nadja Davidson
Kirsti Clarida
Stephanie Klages
Senani Ratnayake
Brian Wilson
Lisa Eidt
Julie Jones
Jennifer McDonell
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2009-2010
Tracey Cunliffe/Tara Sefton (President)
Kirsti Clarida (VP)
Laura Sutton
Nadja Davidson
Stacey Huneke
Caroline Auer
Lisa Eidt
Julie Jones
Jennifer McDonell
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2010-2011
Tara Sefton/Laura Sutton (President)
Ron Southwell (VP)
Kirsti Clarida
Stacey Huneke/Kristina Burns
Amanda Maknyik
Brenda Duff
Dawn Blades
Sharon Matle
Jennifer McDonell
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2011-2012
Laura Sutton (President)
Ron Southwell (VP)
Sarah Birch
Kristina Burns
Amanda Maknyik
Brenda Duff
Melissa Rogers
Sharon Matle
Jen Springett
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2012-2013
Laura Sutton (President)
Ron Southwell (VP)
Sarah Birch
Kristina Burns
Amanda Maknyik
Brenda Duff
Elise Wickett
Jody Carrick
Jen Springett
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2013-2014
Ron Southwell (President)
Elise Wickett (VP)
Laura Sutton
Sarah Birch
Kristina Burns
Amanda Maknyik
Brenda Duff
Jody Carrick
Omar Jackson
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2014-2015
Ron Southwell (President)
Elise Wickett (VP)
Damon Thompson
Sarah Birch
Kristina Burns
Amanda Maknyik
Nancy MacFarlane
Jody Carrick
Omar Jackson
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2015-2016
Elise Wickett (President)
Nancy MacFarlane (VP)
Damon Thompson
Christine Archer
Cally Merritt
Kristina Burns
Amanda Maknyik
Jody Carrick
Omar Jackson
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2016-2017
Jody Carrick (President)
Nancy MacFarlane (VP)
Damon Thompson
Christine Archer
Cally Merritt
Kristina Burns
Amanda Maknyik
Shaneka Willer (a)
Omar Jackson
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2017-2018
Jody Carrick
Nancy MacFarlane
Christine Archer
Darci Burtch
Julia Bitan
LauraLee Dorst
Cally Merritt
Damon Thompson
Shaneka Willer
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2018-2019
Damon Thompson
Cally Merritt
Christine Archer
Darci Burtch
Julia Bitan
Stacey Huneke
Julie Jones
Nancy MacFarlane
Lauren O'Leary
Shaneka Willer
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2019-2020
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(a) = appointed