MentorVet Tech Expands National Support for Veterinary Technicians with 300 Scholarships in 2025, Supported by NAVTA, AVMA, Royal Canin, and Merck Animal Health
Announcement in Honor of National Veterinary Technician Week to Promote the Wellbeing of Veterinary Technicians
Addie Reinhard, DVM, MS, Founder & CEO, MentorVet and Alyssa Mages BS, CVT, FVTE, Director of MentorVet Tech
Lexington, KY, October 14, 2024 – The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Merck Animal Health, Royal Canin, and MentorVet have announced a groundbreaking collaboration to support the wellbeing and professional growth of veterinary technicians. This new partnership will provide 300 fully funded scholarships for MentorVet Tech, an evidence-based mentorship and professional development program designed to help veterinary technicians thrive in their careers.
“Veterinary technicians are vital to our profession, and programs like MentorVet Tech are crucial to supporting their growth and wellbeing,” remarked Jamie Rauscher, NAVTA President. “We’re excited to see this partnership expand opportunities and resources for technicians across the country.”
Applications are now open for the MentorVet Tech Scholarship Program supported by NAVTA, AVMA, Royal Canin, and Merck Animal Health. Click here to apply!
“We are deeply committed to supporting veterinary technicians and have worked diligently to create an evidence-based program that addresses the unique challenges they face,” shared Dr. Addie Reinhard, Founder and CEO of MentorVet. “The support from these organizations allows us to expand our reach and impact even more lives. Early research shows our program significantly reduces burnout, equipping veterinary technicians with the skills and support needed for sustainable, fulfilling careers.”
“The AVMA is proud to expand our mentoring support beyond AVMA members to include our critical veterinary technician colleagues, who play an essential role in veterinary healthcare,” said Dr. Sandra Faeh, President of the AVMA. “We are so pleased to join with our partners in this dynamic program that will open doors of opportunity and strengthen veterinary teams across the country.”
MentorVet Tech Program Highlights
● Online Learning: A six-month, virtual program with five modules covering stress management, conflict resolution, communication skills, and more.
● Social Connections: One-hour monthly peer group meetings provide a supportive space to discuss content and gain support from fellow veterinary technicians.
● Peer Mentor Platform: Connects participants with like-minded peers dedicated to enhancing their mental health and career longevity.
“Royal Canin is proud to partner with MentorVet to provide this evidence-based program for veterinary technicians so they can practice at the top of their credentials every day. We celebrate their hard work and are committed to finding ways to support them and the care they provide to cats and dogs. I learned early in my career that veterinary technicians, with the passion and knowledge they bring every day to what they do, are vital to our industry and truly help to create A Better World for Pets,” shared Todd East, Director of Veterinary Affairs, Royal Canin.
"Merck Animal Health is proud to have a longstanding partnership with MentorVet where we are able to invest in the essential development of the entire veterinary healthcare team,” said Dr. Meg Conlon, Executive Director of Veterinary Professional Services, Merck Animal Health. “We understand the critical role that veterinary technicians play in driving success and positive wellbeing across the practice. That’s why we’re excited to expand our resources through MentorVet Tech to help veterinary technicians thrive in their careers and ultimately, create a resilient professional workforce across veterinary medicine.”
Through this partnership, NAVTA, AVMA, Royal Canin, and Merck Animal Health are making a meaningful investment in the mental health and wellbeing of veterinary technicians across the nation by expanding access to MentorVet Tech. This initiative provides veterinary technicians with mentorship, professional development, and peer support—creating a lasting impact on their careers. Learn more by clicking here.
For media inquiries, please contact Ellen Turner, Director of Partnerships and Outreach at info@mentorvet.net
About MentorVet
MentorVet is a rapidly growing entity that creates programs leveraging evidenced-based approaches to empower veterinary professionals, transforming veterinary medicine into a healthy profession for individuals and communities. MentorVet collaborates with a growing number of practice groups, veterinary medical associations, and corporations to make their programming possible. To read more about the early success of MentorVet, you can read their impact report in full by visiting, www.mentorvet.net/impactreport. For more information visit www.mentorvet.net or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
About NAVTA
NAVTA is a US-based not-for-profit membership community of more than 8,500 Credentialed Veterinary Technicians, Veterinary Assistants, and other veterinary support staff involved in veterinary care. NAVTA advances the profession of veterinary technology and veterinary nursing through its advocacy and awareness programs and by providing continuing professional development opportunities. NAVTA supports the veterinary technology and veterinary nursing profession with a host of programs and benefits, available at https://www.navta.net/membership/
About the AVMA
Serving more than 105,000 member veterinarians, the AVMA is the nation's leading representative of the veterinary profession, dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of animals, humans and the environment. Founded in 1863 and with members in every U.S. state and territory and more than 60 countries, the AVMA is one of the largest veterinary medical organizations in the world. Informed by our members' unique scientific training and clinical knowledge, the AVMA supports the crucial work of veterinarians and advocates for policies that advance the practice of veterinary medicine and improve animal and human health. www.avma.org.
About Merck Animal Health
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than a century, we’ve been at the forefront of research, bringing forward medicines, vaccines and innovative health solutions for the world’s most challenging diseases. Merck Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA, is the global animal health business of Merck. Through its commitment to The Science of Healthier Animals®, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, producers, pet owners and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services as well as an extensive suite of connected technology that includes identification, traceability and monitoring products. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals and the people who care for them. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www.merck-animal-health.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
About Royal Canin
Royal Canin USA is a leader in science-based cat and dog health nutrition. Founded by a veterinarian in 1968, Royal Canin has more than 50 years of experience in delivering individualized nutritional solutions. In collaboration with an expert team of nutritionists, breeders and veterinarians from around the world, Royal Canin places cats and dogs at the central point of the innovation process. The Royal Canin product line offers a range of diets based on size, age, breed, lifestyle and therapeutic requirements. Royal Canin diets are available at veterinary hospitals and pet specialty stores nationwide. Royal Canin is a subsidiary of Mars, Incorporated. To learn more about Royal Canin, visit www.royalcanin.com and “LIKE” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/royalcanin.us.