Celebrating RVT Month 2026
Thorold, ON – The Registered Veterinary Technologists and Technicians of Canada (RVTTC) is proud to celebrate RVT Month this October, recognizing the contributions, professionalism, and evolving roles of Registered Veterinary Technologists/Technicians (RVTs) across the country.
Each October, RVTTC invites the entire veterinary community to celebrate RVT Month—a time to honour the dedication, knowledge, and expertise that RVTs bring to animal health care in every province and territory.
This year’s theme, “RVTs: Then, Now, Next!” celebrates the growth of the profession over time, the essential work RVTs are doing today, and the exciting opportunities emerging for the future. From clinical practice to research, education, regulation, production, non-profit organizations, and entrepreneurial ventures, RVTs continue to expand their impact across the animal health sector.
A Profession that continues to grow
RVTs are highly trained professionals who have completed accredited programs, passed the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE), and maintain active provincial registration through continuing education. Their education and experience position them to make a meaningful difference in fields such as anesthesia, dentistry, exotic animal care, shelter medicine, equine health, wildlife management, rehabilitation, and more.
“RVTs are essential to the strength and sustainability of veterinary medicine—and the opportunities available to them continue to grow,” said Nancy MacFarlane, President of RVTTC. “RVT Month is a chance to reflect on how far the profession has come, celebrate the incredible work RVTs are doing today, and look ahead to the next chapter of innovation and leadership. “RVT Month lets us celebrate where we’ve come from, recognizing the exceptional work happening today, and embracing the future our RVTs are helping to build.””
As the veterinary field evolves, RVTs are continuing to evolve with it stepping in to new roles as leaders, educators, innovators, and advocates—not only within clinics, but across the entire animal health ecosystem.
A Month of Celebration
Join us in celebrating the professionalism, passion, and possibilities that define the RVT profession in 2026. There will opportunities for RVTs to participate in contests, activities, and opportunities for learning across the country. Clients and clinics are encouraged to recognize RVTs in their own community.
Let’s make this October a month of recognition, inspiration, and pride as we honour RVTs and continue building awareness of their integral role in veterinary medicine.
2026 Theme: RVTs: Then, Now, Next!
This year’s theme, “RVTs: Then, Now, Next!”, celebrates the incredible evolution of the RVT profession to its position today as a nationally recognized credential, valued by veterinary teams as a critical member,with expanding public awareness.
As the profession continues to grow in numbers, influence, and opportunity, we honour the RVTs who built the foundation, celebrate those shaping the profession today, and look ahead with excitement to the next generation of leaders, innovators, and advocates.
Explore how to advance your career for RVT Month.
The RVT Career Navigator was created by RVTs for RVTs to provide a one-stop-shop for information about becoming an RVT, and for advancing your existing RVT Career. Head to: www.rvtcareernavigator.ca for all of the details.
Find your direction to navigate this rewarding profession with limitless opportunities.
Join Us – Celebrate RVTs this October
Veterinary teams nationwide are encouraged to recognize their RVT colleagues in their workplaces and online, and join the celebration through national and provincial initiatives and activities.
RVT Month 2026 will feature events, activities, and contests to engage the community and highlight the essential work RVTs do every day.
Stay connected with RVT Month activities:
- Check out the RVT Month App, which offers resources, graphics, and posters to help promote the profession.
- Connect with your Provincial Association to see local initiatives, activities, and events happening in your community!
- Stay connected with RVTTC through our website, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
- Join the conversation online using the official hashtags #ProudlyRVT #ThankanRVT #RVTMonth #WeAreRVTs #AskForRVTs. En Francais: #MoisdesTSAc, #FiersTSAc, #merciauxTSAc, #noussommesTSAc, et #demandezunTSAc.
RVTTC National Events & Contests
UBAVET & RVTTC – Enter to Win Contest
UBAVET has partnered with RVTTC, for the eighth consecutive year, to celebrate and thank Registered Veterinary Technicians and Technologists (RVTs) with an Enter-to-Win Contest.
The UBAVET Enter to Win Contest is back and bigger than ever.
This year, RVTTC & UBAVET are giving away $2,500! Don’t miss your chance to win one of 25 x $100 gift cards during RVT Month in October!
The online contest opens October 1 with gift card draws every Monday ( October 5, 12, 19, 26) plus a final draw on October 31. Each week five winners will be drawn (except for the last week where we have two draws 26th and 31st for 10 winners).
Head to: https://ubavet.com/homervt-month-contest/ for all of the details.
To be entered, you must enter your information and like UBAVET’s social media. To claim the prize, you must be a member in good standing with your Provincial Association.
Photo Contest
RVTTC is excited to partner with ProConcepts Animal Health to host a RVT Month photo contest.
- 1st prize – $100.00 PC Grocery or Amazon Gift Card (your choice)
- 3 Runner Up Prizes – $50 PC Grocery or Amazon Gift Card (your choice)
Thank you to ProConcepts Animal Health for sponsoring the contest.
RVT Month Webinars
With the support of UBAVET, CVMA, and Felix & Fido, RVTTC is proud to present the following RVT Month webinars on Saturdays in October.
Breathing Through the Bark: Restoring Calm in Veterinary Medicine
- Saturday, October 3 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern
- Zoom Registration Link
- Speaker: Joelle Flynn, RVTr
- Sponsor: UBAVET
Pioneering New Career Paths for the Modern RVT
- Saturday, October 17, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern
- Zoom Registration Link
- Sponsor: Felix & Fido
- Speakers: Ellyse Bacelic-Grgic, RVT and Jennifer Gibson
Supporting Veterinary Teams : CVMA Continuing Education Opportunities and Programs in Wellness, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility
- Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern
- Zoom Registration Link
- Speaker: Dr. Kathy Keil
- Sponsor: CVMA
Breathing Through the Bark: Restoring Calm in Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary professionals spend their days absorbing emotional chaos; from anxious patients and grieving clients to relentless clinical demands. In a field driven by deep compassion, it is easy to over-function, neglect personal boundaries, and burn out while caring for pets, clients, colleagues and family. ‘Breathing Through the Bark’ is an engaging presentation designed to help veterinary teams drop the mask of perfection and reclaim their energy and passion for their purpose.
Details
- Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern
- Zoom Registration Link
- Sponsor: UBAVET
- Joelle Flynn, RVTr – Joelle is a Vetmed mindset, nervous system regulation and authentic confidence coach and consultant and founder of Joyful Journeys With Jo. Drawing on over 20 years as a registered veterinary technologist, Joelle intimately understands the intense demands of high-stress environments, compassion fatigue, and the quiet toll of burnout. Today, she bridges that deep practical wisdom with transformative tools, combining nervous system regulation, somatic practices, and people’s unique authenticity to help dynamic individuals reconnect with their innate clarity, vitality, and purpose.
Beyond the Clinic: Pioneering New Career Paths for the Modern RVT
Registered Veterinary Technicians bring a rare combination of clinical observation, documentation, and client communication skills, yet most RVTs are only aware of one career path. This session explores the growing landscape of opportunities for RVTs beyond the traditional clinic, from mobile and in-home care to industry, insurance, and clinical research roles. Drawing on firsthand experience building a non-traditional RVT care model from the ground up, this session will help attendees identify the transferable skills that make RVTs valuable in any setting, and provide a practical framework for evaluating their own strengths, gaps, and readiness for a career move that fits their goals.
Details
- Saturday, October 17, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern
- Zoom Registration Link
- Sponsor: Felix & Fido
- Ellyse Bacelic-Grgic, RVT and Jennifer Gibson – Ellyse Bacelic-Grgic, RVT and Jennifer Gibson, are the sister duo behind Felix and Fido, a first-of-its-kind at-home nursing care model connecting pet owners with credentialed RVTs for prescribed care between clinic visits. Ellyse founded the company in 2021 after navigating gaps in post-hospital care for her own dog and working to change the legislation that made the model possible. Jennifer joined shortly after, bringing her natural talent for people and genuine enthusiasm to building the team’s culture and HR from the ground up. Together they are redefining what an RVT career can look like.
Supporting Veterinary Teams : CVMA Continuing Education Opportunities and Programs in Wellness, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility – Dr. Kathy Keil
Discover the wide range of continuing education opportunities the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) is offering throughout the remainder of 2026 and 2027 to support the health and well-being of veterinary teams. This session will highlight wellness, mental health, inclusivity, diversity, equity, accessibility (WIDEA), and psychological health education and programs that are open and relevant to Registered Veterinary Technologists (RVTs) and technicians. Learn about resources including Togetherall, The Working Mind for Veterinary Medicine, Mental Health First Aid, the EDI webinar series, and other initiatives designed to strengthen individuals, teams, and workplace culture. The presentation recognizes the essential role RVTs play in the veterinary profession and highlights opportunities to learn, connect, and thrive.
Details
- Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern
- Zoom Registration Link
- Sponsor: CVMA
- Dr. Kathy Keil – Dr. Kathy Keil’s veterinary career has spanned almost 30 years, and, in that time, she has gained a deep understanding of veterinary medicine through a variety of experiences in clinical practice, the pharmaceutical industry, workplace health and safety, academic research, and published author. As Director Kathy oversees and operationalizes the CVMA’s Wellness and DEI Programs in support of one of the association’s strategic priorities of establishing a veterinary profession that enjoys a healthy working environment.
Partner Events
CommuniVET™ RVT PWR Event – FREE!
Join us for RVT PWR 2026, a half-day virtual event on October 24, 2026. CommuniVET’s annual virtual continuing education event dedicated to supporting and empowering RVTs across Canada. This year’s program focuses on feline diabetes, with four practical sessions designed to strengthen your confidence in supporting diabetic cats and the people who care for them.
- Jolene Watson, RVT -Beyond the Diagnosis: Cats, Clients, Communication, and Confidence
- Kelly St. Denis, MSc, DVM, DABVP (feline practice) – Updates in Feline Diabetes Mellitus: Working with caregivers to provide optimal care
- Caitlin Grant, DVM, DVSc, EBVS Specialist in Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition (Dipl. ECVCN) – Practical Nutrition Strategies for Feline Diabetes
- Jessica Benoit RVT, VTS (Behaviour), KPA CTP, CPDT-KA – Beyond Blood Glucose: Compassionate Handling for Feline Patients
Learn more and register at: CommuniVET’s website – RVT Power 2026
National Veterinary Technician Week 2026 (American)
In Canada, we decided that a week wasn’t enough and have celebrated National RVT Month since 2017. However, south of the border, the 3rd week of October has been set aside as National Veterinary Technician Week (NVTW) since 1993.
Just like RVT Month, National Veterinary Technician Week is the time to celebrate, recognize, and promote the valuable contributions Credentialed Veterinary Technicians make to the veterinary profession and society.
The 2026 Theme – Credentialed Veterinary Technicians: Endless Compassion, Expert Care; Celebrating the Soul of Veterinary Medicine – honors the essential role Credentialed Veterinary Technicians (CrVTs) play in delivering skilled, compassionate care to animals, supporting clients, and strengthening the veterinary healthcare team.
Visit the NAVTA (North American Veterinary Technician Association) National Veterinary Technician Week Website for more information about #NVTW, this year’s campaign, or to download the 2026 poster (pictured) and media kit.
Resources and Images
Visit the RVT Month App for RVT Month images and resources. Below are a few highlights:
Provincial Association Events
Share your activities and highlight your team! We want to see your team celebrating #RVTMonth!
Thank you to our official RVT Month Partners:
