About.

We are veterinary support staff - just like our members.  We are dedicated to supporting other staff members in their efforts to create positive change in their workplaces. 

Established in 2017

We began this union with a dream of making veterinary support a sustainable, life-long career.  In order to realize this dream, we realize that we must work together to bargain for improvements in workplace safety, training, benefits, and pay. ​

Our Goals

• Empower veterinary support staff to band together and collectively bargain for change in their workplace.
• Establish realistic staff-to-patient ratios to ensure both staff and patient safety. 
• Create workplaces free from bullying and harassment, from fellow staff, management, and clients.
• Advocate for patients and provision of gold-standard care.
• Educate the public, legislators, and others about the roles of different staff members in the veterinary practice.
• Negotiate for benefits to ensure staff health and well-being.
• Negotiate for and enforce payment of a living wage for veterinary support staff.

Leadership

Liz Hughston
President

Liz is an RVT and VTS (SAIM, ECC) practicing as a relief technician, consultant, and trainer in the San Jose, CA area.  She believes passionately in the power of unity and organization and is excited to be leading this effort to improve the working lives of veterinary support staff.

Tana Greatorex
​Vice President

Tana's years as an LVT with the Surgery Team at ACCES/BluePearl Seattle North has enabled her to approach each day with both expertise and compassion. She continues to find fulfillment in caring for animals and people, and sees the same foundation of caring among her teammates and coworkers.  Tana works tirelessly to ensure veterinary medicine can be a sustainable career for all veterinary support staff, for the sake of our patients, our people, and our community.

Patty Zehna
Secretary/Treasurer

Patty started her career in veterinary medicine in 1993 volunteering in the veterinary clinic at Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael, CA. She obtained her RVT in 2006 and moved to Monterey in 2009 where she currently works in the ECC department at a specialty practice.