Anesthesia Society

MISSION STATEMENT

To advance the education and professional recognition of AAEVT members who display excellence in and dedication to providing superior anesthesia care to the equine patient.

WHO IS THIS FOR?

Any member of the AAEVT who wants to expand their expertise, skill and knowledge in the area of Equine Anesthesia can become a member of the Anesthesia Society.

PURPOSE

The AAEVT Anesthesia Society** exists to promote excellence in the discipline of equine veterinary Anesthesia.  The Society will provide a process by which AAEVT member technicians and assistants may become certified as qualified with excellence in the field of equine veterinary anesthesia.  These individuals will demonstrate superior knowledge in scientifically – and humanely – based techniques of equine veterinary anesthesia.

** A Society is a group of individuals who have a common interest and passion for a topic or field of study. It does not have the capability to credential. It can offer RACE approved CE, it can offer certificates of completion, and it can offer criteria for required study should a member wish to receive recognition of completion and a certificate. By being a member you are not required to achieve this more advanced level.

Anesthesia Society Committee

Lindsey Schoelen, L.V.M.T. – Chair Person

Travis Otremba, LVT

Wendy Hirsch, LVT

Wiss Costanza

Anesthesia Society Instructors

Anesthesia & Surgery Technician – Tennessee Equine Hospital, Thompson’s Station, TN
Lindsey has resided in Middle Tennessee for over 30 years but is actually an Oklahoma native. She has spent many years in varying aspects of the equine industry including training, showing, teaching, and reproduction. The last 10 years she has spent in veterinary medicine as a licensed technician for Tennessee Equine Hospital. For the practice her focus is surgery and anesthesia as well as medicine and triage. Aside from a busy work schedule Lindsey will otherwise be found on her farm hanging out with some goats, chickens, horses, dogs, and on occasion a good book!

Surgery Technician, Anesthesia – Ocala Equine Hospital, Ocala, FL
Born and raised in Michigan, Travis graduated from Baker College, Jackson and obtained his credentials as a LVT. Travis worked for eight years as a small animal technician in general practice, as well as a short time in surgical oncology, in his home state. Following his passion for horses, Travis made the move to Ocala, FL to work for Ocala Equine Hospital in 2014. With a focus solely on anesthesia, he completed a four month mentorship with Dr. Eric Abrahamsen, DACVAA. Since then, he has been credentialed in Florida as a CVT. Travis’ professional passions include pharmacology, airway surgeries and orthopedics; standing orthopedic surgeries are some of his favorites. In his off time, Travis enjoys time on the boat, riding his horses and traveling.

Veterinary Technician Specialist, Large Animal Anesthesia – Woodside Equine Clinic, Ashland, VA
Wendy became an LVT in 1994 in Virginia after attending NVCC for an AS in Veterinary Technology. She has worked in multiple equine referral hospitals in California and Virginia. With an opportunity to work for Oregon State University and UC Davis Veterinary Teaching Hospital as a large animal surgery and anesthesia technician respectively she was able to complete the requirements for the VTS certification in Large Animal Anesthesia in 2008. She has taught many interns and technicians clinical anesthesia techniques over the years. Outside of work she loves to be with her family, travel, hike and read when she has the time.

Sally worked as a senior veterinary technician at a large multi doctor referral equine clinic from 1993-2022. She has had extensive experience in equine anesthesia and surgery and is well versed in all areas of hospital functions, including Critical Care, Reproduction, Medical and Advanced Imaging departments. She is a graduate of Madison College, (Madison WI), as a Veterinary Technician and has made the decision recently to step back from working in practice and will be offering her expertise as an Anesthesia Instructor for the AAEVT.

Board-certified Specialist in Veterinary Anesthesia & Analgesia – MedVet Dallas, Dallas, TX
Dr. Davis attended The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science followed by The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine where she earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. She then completed a small animal medicine and surgery rotating internship at Carolina Veterinary Specialists in Charlotte, NC as well as an Anesthesia & Analgesia Residency at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in Knoxville, TN. Dr. Davis has authored book chapters and journal articles on topics including total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA), urogenital anesthesia, and imaging anesthesia. Along with these topics, she has a special interest in locoregional anesthesia and perioperative pain management. Dr. Davis is passionate about teaching other veterinary professionals through continuing education lectures. When away from the hospital, Dr. Davis enjoys working in her flower garden, feeding and watching birds, traveling, and spending time with family.

Anesthesia Technician – Comstock Equine & Great Basin Equine, Reno, NV
Jessica is a native of Yerington, Nevada. She obtained her associate degree of veterinary technology from Yuba College in Marysville, California and is a Registered Veterinary Technician in the state of California and a Licensed Veterinary Technician in the state of Nevada. She also worked in the equine surgery department at UC Davis where she developed her love of anesthesia. Jessica has had an interesting career, from UC Davis she went to work as an anesthesia technician for an idependent equine surgeon and together they travelled to many different clinics in California as well as to Dubai during the racing season. After 7 years she then took a position at Dubai Equine Hospital for 3 years as an anesthesia technician before moving to South Africa and working at Fourways Equine Hospital where she met her husband Gideon. They moved back to the United States in 2020 where she is currently employed at Comstock Equine Hospital and Great Basin Equine. Her professional interests include anesthesia and emergency and critical care. Jessica is also a Certified Equine Rehabilitation Therapist and is currently working on multiple veterinary forensic courses. In her free time, Jessica competes in cycling and running events with her husband Gideon, hiking with their dog Louie, drawing and traveling.

Anesthetist – Humphrey, Giacopuzzi & Associates, Somis, CA
Sharon started in the exciting field of Veterinary medicine in 1996. She was hooked when she began to volunteer at Humphrey Giacopuzzi and Associates Equine Hospital. On her first day, there was a septic joint that had to go into surgery and that is when she really knew that she loved this field and enrolled in school to become a registered veterinary technician. After obtaining her RVT license in 2000, she delved into the fascinating world of anesthesia. The more she learned the better she liked it, a typical day involved 1-3 surgeries and found the colic’s were the most fun and challenging. Sharon decided she wanted more education, so in 2005, she attended UC Davis for two weeks in the large animal anesthesia department. Sharon fouond the program  wonderful and highly educational. Over the years, Sharon has done anesthesia on many different species, including cattle, sheep, goats, alpacas, pigs, equine from mini to drafts, and skunks, foxes, raccoons, reindeer. Sharon also teaches at a vet tech program in the local community college and the interns at the equine hospital.
In her spare time, Sharon enjoys fishing, gardening, and team roping with her husband.

Anesthesia Manager- South Valley Equine, Saratoga Springs, Utah

Amanda K. Nielsen is an accomplished professional with over 20 years of experience in Equine Anesthesia and veterinary nursing skills.
Amanda has been a long time member of the AAEVT and attended the first AAEVT conference (2004) when the organiziation was officially formed. Through this she has continued to set goals and worked hard to achieve her goals and receive her
AAEVT Certified Equine Anesthetist. She loves the learning and growth networking within the AAEVT. She is excited & grateful to now be a part of the Anesthesia Society board of Instructors. She is currently the Veterinary Technician Director &  Anesthesia Manager at South Valley Equine, Saratoga Springs, UT. South Valley Equine is now one the largest Equine referral centers in the Intermountain West.
In her spare time Amanda enjoys watching her son compete in Jr. Rodeo, baseball and camping with her family. Amanda loves barrelracing and Pilates. She is a Comprehensively Certified Pilates Instructor.

Members, Check it out!

We have recently begun posting the Anesthesia Society Video Series to our members-only On Demand CE section of our website!