Happy National Veterinary Technician Appreciation week, listeners! On this week's episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, guest Michael Natale, LVT, shares more on why it is so crucial for veterinary technicians to become confident, advocate for themselves and their education, and make sure they are continuously learning. Throughout the show, Natale also shares how he became a veterinary technician and entrepreneaur, the future of the profession in his own words, and more. 

Below is a partial transcript, edited lightly for clarity 

So it's National Veterinary Technician Appreciation Week, and one of the things we I hear a lot when I'm traveling around the conferences, is technician utilization. What would be a tip or piece of advice to those tuning in, to say, hey, use us. We're here for you veterinary technicians. What are some things that we could we could do?

: Yeah, I think, for starters, I think it's all about building your confidence up in your skill set. So if you don't know something, say something, learn as much as you can. And when it gets to the point where you feel very confident, speak up to the doctors and say, hey, I can do this. Let me take it off your plate. Or, you know, I feel very comfortable doing that. And the more you communicate with them, I think the more they'll trust and the more you'll be able to do and utilize your license better.

I like that you say that to speak up and to say hey, because sometimes they'll say, oh, you know I want to do that, or I'm able to assist in surgery a little bit more. But I just don't know where to begin to speak up and talk about it and say, Hey, this is what I want to do. And no gatekeeping of knowledge right?

 Yeah, exactly. I mean, I think we all can share something. Even for me, I feel like I do know a lot. I can always learn something, and even when I meet someone, I always find myself teaching someone something that I thought they would know but they actually didn't know, which then makes me feel good that I told them that information.

Yeah, I love the position that you're in. This is why I wanted to have him on the show to the listeners, because he's a teacher, he's also in the trenches, and he's an entrepreneur. So you have the opportunity to see the rising and the future veterinary technician students, or those that are going on to the veterinary profession. What does the future look like for the profession with those students that you have?

All dvm360's veterinary technician content for the month of October is sponsored by Royal Canin

Podcasts

Michael Natale, LVT, emphasizes the importance of confidence, advocacy, and continuous learning in shaping the future of the profession.

Celebrating Veterinary Technician Week with Mike Natale, LVT

A veterinary pharmacology student fellowship has been awarded by the Veterinary Pharmacology Research Foundation (VPRF) in partnership with the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF). Juliana Sullivan, a dual-degree doctorate student at the University of California, Davis, is named the recipient of the 2025 VPRF-AVMF Veterinary Pharmacology Fellowship.

"We are thrilled to continue supporting the next generation of veterinary pharmacologists through our student fellowship program. We hope that this funding allows Juliana to focus on learning and honing new skills and techniques to advance her innovative research and that she will have the opportunity to showcase her exciting research and further develop her professional network," Jane Owens, DVM, PhD, DACVCP, president of VPRF, said in the foundation’s announcement.

UC Davis unveils a new diagnostic imaging center

The student fellowship aims to increase the number and caliber of trained veterinary pharmacology researchers, according to AVMF.

 Recipients of the one-year student fellowship receive up to $10,000 in funding.

 Candidates for the award must be enrolled in a US-based, academic institution’s graduate program and in good standing for at least 1 year when applying. A student vying for the fellowship must also be a current member of the American Academy of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, and is required to submit letters of support from their institution, faculty mentor and 2 references.

Sullivan is working to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree as well as a PhD. She is pursuing a career in clinical pharmacology research combined with mentorship for future graduate students, according to VPRF.

“When I entered veterinary school, I did not anticipate that research would become such a central and rewarding part of my career path,” Sullivan said in VPRF’s announcement.

 “However, experiences like receiving this fellowship have continually shown me how exciting and meaningful veterinary pharmacology research is, further solidifying my commitment to the field.”

The financial support Sullivan receives will provide her with access to pharmacokinetic analysis software an attendance at an international conference, during which she can present her research findings and connect with the global professionals. The funding may also be used for training, stipends, professional travel or other activities that fit Sullivan’s scholarly pursuits.

The VPRF and AVMF also partner to offer 2 grants for veterinary researchers in support of studies for new or recently approved medications indicated for food animals and projects that ensure the safety of food products from livestock. These grants are awarded in veterinary pharmacology for up to $30,000 and in veterinary pharmacokinetics for up to $15,000.

Westies Foundation of America names first scholarship recipient for new program

For more news on veterinary students and academia, visit 

Announcing our 2025 student fellowship recipient. Veterinary Pharmacology Research Foundation. October 7, 2025. Accessed October 14, 2025. 

https://www.vprfonline.org/post/announcing-our-2025-student-fellowship-recipient

AVMF, VPRF announce veterinary pharmacology fellowship recipient. American Veterinary Medical Association. October 13, 2025. Accessed October 14, 2025. 

https://www.avma.org/news/avmf-vprf-announce-veterinary-pharmacology-fellowship-recipient?utm_source=delivra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=todays-headlines-news

VPRF/AVMF Veterinary Pharmacology Fellowship. American Veterinary Medical Foundation. Accessed October 14, 2025. 

https://www.avmf.org/grants-and-scholarships/research-support/veterinary-pharmacology-fellowship/

Student fellowship program. Veterinary Pharmacology Research Foundation. 2025. Accessed October 14, 2025. 

https://www.vprfonline.org/student-fellowship

Now open: 2025 veterinary research grant applications. Veterinary Pharmacology Research Foundation. July 15, 2025. Accessed October 14, 2025. 

https://www.vprfonline.org/post/now-open-2025-veterinary-research-grant-applications

Articles

A doctorate student at UC Davis is receiving up to $10,000 in funding to support their research efforts.

Veterinary pharmacology student fellowship is awarded

The Kansas Department of Agriculture and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced the first known occurrence of 

, also known as the Asian longhorned tick (ALHT), in Kansas. According to the release, the KDHE identified the tick after it was found on a canine last week in Franklin County.

“We have been monitoring the spread of the Asian longhorned tick, especially since it was confirmed in neighboring states,” Justin Smith, DVM, Kansas animal health commissioner, said in the release.

“Now that it has been identified in Kansas, we have been in contact with accredited veterinarians across the state to remind them to be alert for this tick and to ensure they understand the risks.”

Last year, the KDHE piloted a program that created a passive surveillance network for ticks through veterinary clinics in the state, where participating clinics submit tick samples from animals in their care to the department for identification. The program has been a success for the state by providing information on where various ticks are found in Kansas, and it has proved to be useful in undersurveyed areas of the state. It was through this program that the ALHT was identified during a routine sample submitted and was then confirmed by the US Department of Agriculture.

In 2019, Virginia found an ALHT was infected with Bourbon virus and another with ehrlichiosis, both of which occur in Kansas but are currently transmitted by the lone star tick.

“We’re still learning about this tick and the ecologic[al] role that it currently plays and may play in the future in terms of disease transmission to humans,” said Erin Petro, DVM, a state public health veterinarian for the KDHE.

 “[Although] the human health implications are uncertain, this tick has serious implications for animal health.”

The ALHT was first discovered in New Jersey in 2017 and has spread westward across the US, now identified in 21 states. It is currently unknown how and when it arrived in the US, but it could have entered the country on domestic pets, livestock, horses, or people. The ALHT is native to East Asia but was introduced to Australia, New Zealand, and the western Pacific Islands.

The ALHT is an exotic and invasive species that can reproduce without the need for a male tick, and it can impact the health of both animals and humans. This species can create extreme infestations in animals, which can lead to anemia or even exsanguination. Beyond the physical threat it holds, it also transmits 

 strain, a cattle parasite that causes bovine theileriosis.

The impact this tick has on US agriculture and environment is currently being studied, but its impact has been documented in other parts of the world. They are known to carry pathogens that can cause diseases and distress to the host, particularly when feeding in large numbers, such as dairy cows, which may experience a 25% decrease in milk production after becoming infected.

The following precautions can be taken to reduce the risk of disease

Be aware of where ticks are found and use preventive measures when in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas.

Wear long pants tucked into socks and shirts tucked into pants to dress preventively.

Use permethrin to treat clothing and equipment.

Use an Environmental Protection Agency–approved repellent when in a tick habitat or enjoying the outdoors.

Perform a thorough tick check after coming inside, and be sure to focus on under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, around the waistband, and in and around the hair.

Check pets for ticks, especially around the tail, under the front legs, between the back legs, between the toes, in and around the ears, around the eyes, and under the collar.

Shower soon after going inside after being in a tick habitat or participating in an outdoor activity to remove any unattached ticks and identify any attached ones.

Remove attached ticks with a pair of fine-tipped tweezers; grip the tick near the skin and apply gentle traction straight outward until it is removed.

Treat pets with a flea and tick preventive that is approved by veterinary professionals.

ALHTs are light brown, very small, and difficult to detect because of their size and ability to move quickly. Male ALHTs are rare, and it only takes 1 tick to create a full population in a new location. Wildlife can play a part in transporting and maintaining tick populations in new areas, so controlling them on livestock, pets, and landscaped areas can reduce the chances of infestation on wildlife and protect livestock. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service recommends maintaining a significant distance between lawn or pastures and wooded areas, keeping grass height low, and removing weeds and brush from bordering wooded areas. People can also use fencing to create barriers between yards or pastures and wildlife.

Asian longhorned tick identified in Kansas. News release. Kansas Department of Agriculture. October 9, 2025. Accessed October 14, 2025. 

https://www.agriculture.ks.gov/Home/Components/News/News/585/

The asian longhorned tick: what you need to know. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Accessed October 14, 2025. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/cattle/ticks/asian-longhorned/asian-longhorned-tick-what-you-need-know

This is the first known occurrence of the Asian longhorned tick in the state.

Asian longhorned tick found on dog in Kansas 

a RECOVER CPR–certified instructor, has built her career across emergency, critical care, and intensive care unit (ICU). She has worked in specialty hospitals in New Jersey and New York and has experience volunteering at animal shelters and with a wildlife rehabilitator. Now, Evans works as a relief technician for specialty hospitals throughout New York, New York.

Currently, she is editing a book for veterinary technicians, expected to be published in 2026, on monitoring critical patients using the Rule of 20. The book brings together contributions from experienced technicians, including several with veterinary technician specialist credentials, who have dedicated much of their careers to caring for critical patients.

: Can you tell me a bit about your background and how you got into veterinary medicine?

 My story is a little odd. I have a degree in musical theater, so I live in New York, [New York], and I was pounding the pavement. I wanted to be on Broadway, and it's so hard, so I was getting very frustrated. I was working a 9 [AM] to 5 [PM] in an office, and my husband was noticing how unhappy I was. He said, “Look, if you are done with theater, if this isn't what you want to do with your life, why don't you go and find something that you want to do?”

At the time, I was volunteering at a local animal shelter, and I really loved it. I really loved being hands-on with the animals, so I looked into being a veterinarian, and I thought to myself, "This is a lot of school, and I do not want to do this

 It's a lot of work that I totally respect, but [it] is not for me.

I spoke with a friend whose husband was a veterinarian. She said, “You know, he doesn't actually do a whole lot of hands-on stuff with the animals.” And then I was at the vet with my cat, and we started talking. I told her I was thinking about going into veterinary medicine, and she told me all about being a veterinary technician. I was like, "This is it. This is what I want to do." And that's how I became a technician.

: What’s one part of your job that you wish other members of the veterinary team understood about what veterinary technicians do?

I think [that], more now than when I first started as a technician, people understand—especially if they're in the veterinary field—what technicians do, but I don't think they always realize that technicians are really hungry to learn. As a technician, because we are so one-on-one and hands-on with patients, we constantly want to know more. I'm speaking generally—I'm sure there are people who don't—but I think most of the people I meet want to learn about whatever condition is affecting their patient, how they can be more effective, [and] how to [better] help their patient.
I've seen it time and again, people asking questions and learning. So I just really hope that people understand that when we're asking questions, it's because we want to do the best we possibly can for our patients, to be as helpful as we possibly can to our coworkers, and that it should be something to be encouraged....

: What would you say to someone considering becoming a veterinary technician?

I would say to find a place in veterinary medicine that you love and stick with it. I have worked in all sorts of facets and different hospitals, and emergency and critical care is absolutely the love of my life. But I do not love [general practice (GP)]. I am not that person.

I think you need to try a few things and find the one that really sticks with you, and do that. You don't have to be the best GP technician if you don't want to do GP. You don't have to be the best [neurology] technician if you don't want to do [neurology], but be the best at whatever you decide to be.

: If you could go back, what advice would you give yourself on your first day as a veterinary technician?

I would tell myself that I don't have to get everything right all the time—that it's OK to not know and to ask questions, and to not be scared to do that.

Evans reflects on her unexpected path to veterinary medicine, what she wishes other team members knew about technicians, and her advice for aspiring vet techs.

Q&A with Melissa Evans, CVT, LVT, VTS (ECC): From theater to the ICU—and vet tech insights

Researchers have found a sustainable and large-scale way to turn farm food waste into animal feed using black soldier fly larvae. In a study published in the

 Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture Reports

, scientists from Kent University in Canterbury, England tested a novel bio-conversion unit (BCU) designed to produce black soldier larvae at an industrial scale for use as livestock feed additive. A BCU is a machine that uses living organisms to turn organic waste into an energy source. The researchers found that the larvae grown on food waste with the new BCU provided a nutritious, high-quality protein source for livestock feed.

The insects could offer a more environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional feed ingredients such as soy and fishmeal, the researchers said, especially as global demand for animal products continues to rise

 and environmental concerns grow. The solution could also help tackle food waste and lower the cost of livestock feed production.

— the black soldier fly is not known to carry disease, making this insect a better candidate as an insect food source than the common house fly. Black soldier flies also do not require many nutrients during their adult stage, as they mainly rely on nutrients obtained during their larval stage—these flies need mostly only water to survive.

Despite their minimal nutrient requirements, black soldier flies yield larvae that contain 42%–45% crude protein and 31%–35% crude fat by dry weight.

 According to the study, larvae recover fats and nutrients from the organic waste they consume.

“[These fat and protein levels] makes the [black soldier fly larva] a good source of both fat and protein and, therefore, a possible feed additive for animals or even as food for humans,” the researchers wrote.

For the study, researchers examined how different waste-based diets affected the larvae’s gut microbiome when raised at a large scale. They found that larvae grown in the BCU on low-bioburden substrate (waste with few germs) had similar or higher protein and fat levels than those fed traditional animal feed. The larvae grown on this farm food waste also showed higher calcium levels, as well as other key nutrients, further supporting this insect’s potential as a nutritious and sustainable feed source for livestock.

The BCU used in the study was tested at Bank Farm in Aldington, Kent, UK. The system was developed by the UK-based startup Inspro, a bio conversion hub producer.

According to the study, further research will involve better optimizing the larvae’s microbiome and using their waste, called frass, as a fertilizer.

“This research is beginning to uncover the vast and diverse potential [of black soldier fly larvae],” Richard Small, founder of Inspro, said in a report by the 

International Magazine for Animal Feed & Additives Industry

 “The amino and fatty acid profiles in [black soldier fly larvae] offer benefits that exceed their macronutrients.”

“Food from livestock fed on insects have a lower environmental impact.... Ongoing research is essential if we are to better value the huge quantities (10 million tonnes) of food waste produced in the UK every year. This excludes animal wastes such as dairy slurry in which [black soldier fly larvae] have a pivotal bioremediation role, subject to amendments to UK regulations and ongoing research,” Small continued.

, with funding, the research team is also exploring ways to use the larvae’s waste as a regenerative agricultural product to improve soil health and crop growth on farms.

Edwards WJS, et al. Bridging lab and industry: The impact of a bio-conversion unit on black soldier fly larvae production. 

BSFL research shows promise for eco-friendly feed. 

International Magazine for Animal Feed & Additives Industry. 

September 29, 2025. Accessed October 13, 2025. https://www.feedandadditive.com/bsfl-research-shows-promise-for-eco-friendly-feed/

Black soldier fly larvae could offer a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional feed ingredients such as soy and fishmeal, according to researchers. 

 Insects could help turn farm food waste into sustainable livestock feed at industrial scale

Luna Roy, a Persian cat, was born with a cleft palate, which is a rare and dangerous congenital defect. The condition left a large hole in the roof of her mouth, creating a direct passageway into her nasal cavity and posing a high risk of her developing aspiration pneumonia. Because of this, Luna was unable to eat on her own because it was a constant danger that food and liquids would enter her lungs.

According to the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, cats born with a cleft palate struggle to survive past kittenhood, but Luna took a remarkable turn thanks to her owner and the team at Texas A&M’s Small Animal Teaching Hospital (SATH).

Luna with her owners at Texas A&M’s Small Animal Teaching Hospital (Image courtesy of Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences)

Normally, kittens with a cleft palate go undiagnosed and are often mistaken for having fading kitten syndrome, which is something kittens rarely survive from. Cleft palate occurs in the offspring of pregnant felines and can be caused by the following

Taking certain medications, such as prednisolone, while pregnant

Trauma to the mother while the fetus is developing

Viral infections affecting the mother, such as panleukopenia and calicivirus, during pregnancy

“Kittens with cleft palate often fail to thrive, meaning they don’t gain weight as they should,” said Adriana Regalado-Ibarra, MVZ, DAVDC. “Without constant care, they usually succumb to malnutrition or respiratory infection early on.”

Allison Roy, Luna’s owner, has been a Persian cat breeder for more than 20 years and immediately recognized Luna’s abnormal symptoms, such as the inability to latch and sneeze while nursing. Luna was then diagnosed with both hard and soft cleft palate after developing aspiration pneumonia. Unlike other cases where 1 palate remains intact, Luna’s was more severe. She lacked a partial barrier to separate her mouth and nasal cavity, so swallowing safely was impossible and increased her risk of complications. To help Luna, she was tube fed, approximately 8 times a day initially, and had around-the-clock care, which significantly improved her health.

“It was exhausting but worth every second,” Roy said. “By 12 weeks, when the other kittens were heading to their new families, Luna had grown just as big and healthy as the rest. She was always full of life and never let her condition stop her, but she deserved more than a life of tube feeding.”

Roy consulted with specialists across Texas trying to find a permanent solution for Luna’s condition, but their recommendations were unsatisfactory for Roy, with some suggestions being removing all of her teeth or permanently inserting a feeding tube in Luna’s neck.

 After a friend encouraged Roy to reach out to Texas A&M's SATH, she began researching the hospital, found Regaldo, and decided she needed to reach out.

Clients and veterinary professionals usually notice at birth or when the cat is still a kitten the symptoms of cleft palate, which include

Difficult nursing (milk coming out of nose).

Visible spit in upper lip or roof of the mouth.

Cleft palate repairs are more commonly documented and performed in dogs, so addressing feline causes presents with unique challenges because of the anatomical difference. Regaldo adapted techniques and materials that are not normally used for feline cleft palate repairs to battle against the complexities, making it a university first.

“We used a horse-derived bone membrane to support the surrounding tissue, close the gap in Luna’s palate, and promote natural tissue and bone regeneration,” Regalado said. “This material undergoes mineral removal to transform the rigid bone into a flexible structure, making it suitable for delicate surgical procedures.”

The 2 halves of Luna’s palate now connected after a successful surgery 

Regaldo exposed Luna’s palate bone during the surgery, which lasted more than 2 hours, before suturing a custom-fit equine membrane to its thin edges, a procedure that demands extreme precision to not damage the turbinates. After it was secured, the membrane was covered with soft tissue from the palate to allow the rich blood supply from the palatal mucosa. This will promote healing and help the membrane integrate seamlessly with the surrounding tissue.

 A temporary siliconelike layer was applied over the repaired defect to protect the reconstruction from potential disruption, which will either fall off naturally or be removed easily as the tissue underneath stabilizes and heals.

For Luna, the transformation was immediate, and she was able to eat independently for the first time in her life. Her recovery was also "remarkably smooth," according to Texas A&M's SATH, and she was able to adapt easily and quickly to her new freedom.

“Watching her take her first bites of food on her own—it was beyond words,” Roy said. “I had spent 18 months tube feeding her, and suddenly, she was normal. I am beyond grateful.”

Not only is Luna’s case a success story, but it is also now serving as a breakthrough for the Texas A&M veterinary team and feline cleft palate research. The insights that Regaldo and her team gained from Luna’s surgery will be documented and shared to potentially help other owners and animals facing similar challenges.

Cela S. Texas A&M Veterinarians restore Persian cat’s ability to eat. Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. October 9, 2025. Accessed October 13, 2025. 

https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/press-releases/texas-am-veterinarians-restore-persian-cats-ability-to-eat/

Koehler R. Cleft palate in cats: treatment and more. PetMd. December 9, 2024. Accessed October 13, 2025. https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/mouth/cleft-palate-cats-treatment-and-more

The Texas A&M veterinary team pioneered an innovative surgery to treat Luna, a Persian cat with a cleft palate.