Technician Speakers

Becky started her vet medicine journey in 1997 at a rural GP in Paducah, KY. She completed her BS in Animal Sciences at UK and worked for several local general practices in the Lexington, KY area before getting married and moving to AL where she completed her licensure at Jefferson State Community College out of Birmingham, AL. She found a passion for emergency medicine and teaching and has worked as a lead nurse and educator in an ER/Specialty practice since 2008 in the Chattanooga, TN area. She is an adjunct at Chattanooga State Community College and a new business co-owner of 4 Paws CPR LLC. She is passionate about CPR, Emergency Medicine and Critical Care. She has a very patient husband, 3 sons, cats named Whiskey and O’Malley, and a dog named Jack.

Stephanie has been a part of the veterinary field for over 20 years. She has a Master’s in Laboratory Animal Science, Bachelor’s in Veterinary Technology and a certification of a registered Laboratory Animal Technologist. She has employment experience in mixed animal practices, internal medicine, research, teaching and now in a bone marrow transplant center.

Arantxa has been working in the veterinary field for 11 years and has been a licensed veterinary technician for the past 9 years. She earned her associate’s degree in veterinary technology from Tulsa Community College in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Throughout her career, Arantxa has gained experience in small animal general practice as well as in an academic setting, working both in food animal medicine and surgery, and the anesthesia departments. She is particularly passionate about delivering high-quality anesthesia and pain management, especially for her large animal patients. Outside of veterinary medicine, Arantxa is an avid reader, a dedicated football fan, and a lover of the arts. You’re likely to find her at a Tennessee Vols football game or cheering for Oklahoma State from afar, enjoying live music, or attending a local musical theatre performance.

Jena came to Tennessee on a cheerleading & an academic scholarship from MI. She attended Lincoln Memorial University where she graduated cum laude with her AS in Veterinary Technology and then went on to the University of Tennessee to study. She graduated magna cum laude from UT Knoxville with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, as well as summa cum laude with her Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in veterinary medicine. Jena currently works for the UT College of Veterinary Medicine where she has been for over 18 years. In 2019 she became the 1st and remains the only VTS in cardiology in Tennessee. Her past professional leadership experience includes President of the Tennessee Veterinary Technicians Association (TVTA) (2011-2013); treasurer of the TVTA (2010-2011); current member of the UT CVM Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee; current member of the UTK CVM Career Advancement Committee; and Class of 2022 inductee of the National Society of Leadership and Success. She currently is serving the AIMVT as the Member-at-Large for the 2O24/2025 term.

In her free time, she enjoys making bandanas for local animal shelters to assist with animal adoptions, speaking at conferences all over the United States, and mentoring new technicians at the University of TN.

Kay Stewart is a Registered Veterinary Technician and Certified Professional Canine Nutritionist with over 30 years of experience in veterinary technology, animal research, and canine nutrition education. A Purdue University graduate, she spent three decades at the University of Notre Dame managing animal research facilities, teaching undergraduate courses in laboratory animal science, and contributing extensively to scientific literature, including co-editing Principles of Animal Research for Graduate and Undergraduate Students. In 2017, Kay received the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Distinguished Veterinary Technology Alumnus Award for her dedication to education, research, and animal welfare. Today, she serves as a researcher, writer, and instructor for the Feed Real Institute, where she develops science-backed resources on fresh food diets for dogs, teaches RACE-approved courses for veterinary professionals, and speaks at veterinary and canine conferences nationwide. Passionate about advancing holistic veterinary medicine, Kay combines her editorial expertise and deep scientific background to make fresh feeding accessible and practical for both veterinary professionals and dog owners.

CERTIFICATIONS Registered Veterinary Technician, Certified Professional Canine Nutritionist, Certified in Canine Nutrition – Companion Animal Science Institute, Certified NAVC Pet Nutrition Coach, Certified Manager of Animal Resources.