URBANA -Jeanne Vitoux, of Champaign, recently became the first president of the Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians, an organization she helped to found. Vitoux has been a certified veterinary technician for 11 years and currently works in the veterinary dental section at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana. The newly organized Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians received a plaque of recognition in November 2002 from the Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialists of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America. The new group becomes only the third such specialty organization for veterinary technicians, joining other groups devoted to anesthesia and to emergency and critical care.

"If there is one thing that I have gained from life it is that learning is an important part of personal growth," said Vitoux. "Veterinary technology is a medical profession where skills constantly need to be reviewed and upgraded. Being a part of a medical team means you have to prove yourself every day. More and more veterinarians are relying on the skills of their technicians and hence giving them more responsibility. Specialty training is one way that a veterinary technician can become proficient in a particular field. Becoming a veterinary technician specialist is an accomplishment that the technician can be proud of, which in turn, brings the whole profession to a higher level."

Vitoux was made president of the organizing committee for the veterinary dental technician group when the organizing effort began in February 2001. She took on the office of president when the new organization was recognized in December 2002. Her term will run for 2 years.

Work is in progress to invite interested veterinary technicians to apply to receive this designation. The requirements will include a credentialing packet consisting of case logs, continuing education hours, a mentoring program, and successful completion of an examination. The technicians that pass all of the qualifications and the examination may use the VTS designation (for Veterinary Technician Specialist) after their name. Application packets are scheduled to be mailed this summer, with the first examinations slated for 2004.

The University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital each year provides care for more than 15,000 patients in its Small Animal Clinic and 3,000 patients in its Large Animal Clinic. It is part of the College of Veterinary Medicine, which is one of only 28 veterinary schools in the United States.

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