Contact:          Tania Banak, University Relations Specialist
608/263-6716, banakt@svm.vetmed.wisc.edu
Date issued:    December 5, 2007

MADISON – Three certified veterinary technicians (CVTs) at the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine recently attained specialty certification in anesthesia. 

In addition to an examination, Mary Graber (Marshall, Wis.), Kristen Hunyady (Madison, Wis.), and Karen Majerus (Oregon, Wis.) had to complete a minimum of 4,500 hours of anesthesia care for patients.  They also had to submit 50 case logs and four in-depth case reports to demonstrate superior mastery of patient care and handling skills.  The reports must include high-risk and life-threatening cases as well as routine anesthetic procedures.

To date, less than 100 individuals worldwide have attained Veterinary Technician Specialist (Anesthesia) certification.  Six are in Wisconsin.

“Becoming a Veterinary Technician Specialist is a great accomplishment for these technicians,” says Dr. Becky Johnson, a board certified veterinary anesthesiologist at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.  “These individuals are intensely trained to provide the most exceptional and progressive care possible.  Hence, we are able to offer clients a unique service in the School of Veterinary Medicine’s Anesthesia Section.”

At the School of Veterinary Medicine, anesthesia technicians handle and anesthetize all animal species, including dogs, cats, horses, cows, and exotic animals. 

“There are inherent risks to anesthesia,” Dr. Johnson says.  “We need the most highly-trained professionals possible.  Thus, we are able to offer clients a service many other practices are unable to offer.”

The qualifying examination is given once annually.  This year, 24 veterinary technicians passed the exam, which was held in New Orleans at the end of September in conjunction with the International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Symposium.