President - Amanda Cushman, CVT

Amanda holds 2 bachelor’s degrees one in business management from Newbury College, and the other in science in veterinary technology from Mount Ida College.  Amanda began her veterinary technician career in 2009, starting in a large, fast-paced general practice, gaining experience while studying to get her bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology.  Soon after graduation realizing the need for more advanced knowledge of veterinary medicine and wanting growth, she decided to transfer into specialty medicine where she worked neurology/neurosurgery and as a specialty technician supervisor for the Internal medicine, surgery, and radiology services. Amanda also has experience with education and was an instructor and technician trainer with the veterinary assistant certification program within Ethos, as well as an adjunct faculty member at Mount Ida College in the veterinary technician program, teaching technician clinical skills.  This experience has brought her to where she is today as the practice manager of Weston Veterinary Clinic.

President-Elect – Amanda Cloutier, CVT

Amanda is a graduate of Mount Ida College where she received her bachelor's degree in Veterinary Technology in 2011 and soon after became a credentialed Veterinary Technician. Amanda has 20 years of experience in the veterinary field where she has worked in both general practice and emergency and specialty medicine. While working in specialty medicine Amanda found a passion for surgery and anesthesia. Along the way, Amanda started to focus on her leadership skills by becoming an adjunct faculty member from 2012 to 2013 at MIC teaching Surgery & Anesthesia and Clinical II Labs. Amanda was granted further opportunities within the hospitals she has worked to step into more prominent leadership roles within management by becoming a Supervisor to Nursing Manager and finally her current role as a Clinical Services Manager. Amanda is a member of NAVTA and is continually attending CE to keep up with the ever-changing world of vet med. Amanda lives in Southeastern MA with her husband, four human children, two Great Danes, nine chickens, and a crazy rooster.

Treasurer - Ed Carlson, CVT, VTS (Nutrition)

Ed Carlson is the Director of Veterinary Nursing Education at VetBloom. He has served on multiple NAVTA committees and is the 2022 NAVTA Past President. He is also the Treasurer of the New Hampshire Veterinary Technician Association and the Treasurer of the Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians.  He obtained a VTS (Nutrition) in 2014 and lectures frequently at local, regional, and national veterinary conferences on a variety of nutrition topics. Ed was also the recipient of the NAVTA 2019 Technician of the Year award.

Secretary –  Sandra Bolduc, CVT, VTS (Oncology)

Member at Large -  Amanda Dix, CVT

Pic coming soon

Amanda has been in the veterinary industry since 2007. She graduated from Mount Ida College with a bachelor’s degree in 2010. She has worked in different areas of the field which has made her a well-rounded technician.  These include being a shelter surgery technician, internal medicine technician, general medicine technician, and has worked in the ER/ICU. She currently works in a small animal practice that she has been working in for 15 years. She has a special interest in anesthesia, surgery, and education. She currently serves as an administrator for Not Another Vet Nurse, a mental health initiative, and she helps to guide those techs who need some help.  She is also currently attending Lincoln Memorial University as part of the first-ever Master’s program designed specifically for certified veterinary technicians. She will be graduating with a Master’s in Veterinary Clinical care in 2024. When she's not working she is spending time with her own fur babies, 2 rescue dogs, and 1 cat, as well as her 3 human children. Amanda is a big New England Patriots fan, and she enjoys gardening, weight lifting, and crafting. 

Member at Large - Ashley Tavares, CVT, VTS (ECC) 

 Hello wonderful MVTA members! My name is Ashley Tavares and I am your newest Member at Large. I have worked in emergency medicine since 2011, attended Holyoke Community College and obtained my CVT in 2014. I knew from the very beginning that emergency was my home and I never looked back! I love the fast-paced life of ER and never knowing what is about to walk through the door, but I think what I love more is the ability to use critical thinking skills as a nurse to make a difference in each of my patient’s lives. Shortly after becoming a credentialed technician, I was accepted into an Emergency and Critical Care Internship where I spent a year at the University of Florida School of Veterinary Medicine learning all things ECC and where I also found my love for teaching. I spent several more years working and teaching in academia and in 2020 I obtained my VTS in Emergency and Critical Care. I currently work as a multi-site Nursing Trainer for Veterinary Emergency Group where my special interests include patient care/advocacy, pain management, medical math, CPR, and urogenital emergencies. I have a little low-rider pittie named Chini a foreign body-loving pug and a sexy black cat with all of the extra toe beans! When I am not thinking about work, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my husband and watching our two boys participate in soccer, swimming, and gymnastics. I can’t wait to get started and hope to meet many of you at the conference this year

Committee Chairs

Jennifer Davis, CVT - Newsletter Committee Chair

Jennifer is a mother of 2 grown boys and a grandmother to a very active grandson. She has been volunteering for the MVTA since 2004 and most likely has been the one who printed off your CVT certificate every year before we went digital. She has worked at the Gardner Animal  Care Center since graduating from Becker College in 1997. Jenn has many roles at her workplace, including tech manager, dental tech,  anesthesia nurse, and helping high school and college interns explore their career goals. She is also an adjunct professor at Mount Wachusett Community College for the Veterinary Technician program and is loving it.

She has one crazy cat named Noodles and has tropical fish. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring local trails with her soul mate and taking pictures of their adventures. Her other hobbies include gardening, painting, sewing, needle felting, and reading a great fantasy novel.

 Erin Spencer, CVT, VTS (ECC) - Legislation Committee Chair

Erin Spencer is the owner of Brown Dog Veterinary Solutions, LLC which provides consulting services on team utilization and training in areas such as RECOVER CPR. She also works with veterinary and veterinary technology students as part of the HSVMA-RAVS program which provides free veterinary care to remote, underserved communities on Native Reservations throughout the western US. Erin has spent most of her career in ECC at hospitals in the greater Boston area. She earned her VTS in ECC in 2011. She also earned a Master's in Education in 2015. Erin has spoken both regionally and nationally on a variety of topics, including her favorite topics of pediatric and neonatal medicine, and has authored journal articles and a book chapter. Erin is a former president of the MVTA and the Immediate Past President of NAVTA