These speakers will present during our Summer Conference, with a strong mix of clinical and non-clinical topics.
Becky Howell BS, LVT
Becky started her vet med journey in 1997 at a rural GP in Paducah, KY. She completed her BS in Animal Sciences at the University of KY and worked for several GP clinics in the Lexington, KY area and then Northeast Alabama while completing her LVT at Jefferson State CC 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 currently at Veterinary Care & Specialty Group. She is an adjunct at Chattanooga State Community College and a new business co-owner of 4 Paws CPR LLC. She is impassioned about CPR, CRI math and all things emergency related.. She has a very patient husband, 3 sons, 2 cats named O’Malley & Whiskey, a dog named Jack, 4 chickens and 3 ducks!
- Becky will present a 1-hour overview of the RECOVER initiative on Friday morning before leading optional 6 hour hands-on workshops
Dr. Shannon Bass, DVM
Dr. Bass is a native Texan who attended Texas A&M University for undergraduate and veterinary school. After graduating with her DVM in 1998, she moved to North Carolina, where she worked as a general practice veterinarian, emergency veterinarian, medical director of a 24-hour emergency and specialty practice, veterinary recruiter, and vice president of medical leadership. She became a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist in 2010. Organized veterinary medicine is something Dr. Bass is passionate about, as we are always better when we are working together. She enjoys participating with NCVMA, AVMA, and VECCS. Outside of work, Dr. Bass enjoys traveling with her husband, two sons, and three-legged Labrador mix. She is an endurance athlete, yoga instructor, and adventurous cook.
Dr. Bass will speak on Friday:
- Disaster planning for the everyday (1 hr)
What happens if your dryer catches fire and your hospital fills up with smoke, a tornado forms from an afternoon thunderstorm, or a flash flood causes water to pour into your lobby? Do you have a plan to evacuate the pets in your care and notify appropriate authorities? Learn the basics of creating a disaster plan for your hospital for everyday emergencies and natural disasters.
Dr. Charlotte Talbert, DVM
Diplomate – ACVSMR, MS, CVSMT
Dr. Charlotte Talbert is a North Carolina native, born and raised in Wilmington. She completed a Master of Science in Biology at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas and then went on to complete her veterinary degree at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee. After veterinary school, she pursued a small animal rotating internship at a large specialty center in Louisville, Kentucky followed by a three-year canine sports medicine and rehabilitation residency in Burnsville, Minnesota. In July 2024, Dr. Talbert joined Eastern Carolina Veterinary Medical Center to lead their Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation department and has enjoyed her time there ever since.
Dr. Talbert will present these topics on Friday:
- Osteoarthritis in Dogs: From Early Detection to Advanced Therapies (1 hr)– This session will review osteoarthritis as a progressive, whole-joint disease and emphasize early recognition of clinical signs. Attendees will learn how to develop individualized, multimodal treatment plans incorporating weight management, pharmacologic therapy, rehabilitation modalities, and emerging intra-articular treatment options. Practical strategies for long-term monitoring and client communication will also be discussed to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
- From Shoulder to Toes: Systematic Localization of Forelimb Lameness in Dogs (1 hr)– This lecture will provide a structured, stepwise approach to localizing forelimb lameness in canine patients. Emphasis will be placed on gait assessment, targeted orthopedic examination techniques, and distinguishing between shoulder, elbow, and distal limb pathology. Common conditions affecting each region will be reviewed, along with guidance on selecting appropriate diagnostic imaging to improve accuracy and efficiency in clinical practice.
- Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease in Dogs: Medical Management vs. Surgical Intervention (1 hr)– This session will explore the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of cranial cruciate ligament disease in dogs, with a focus on evidence-based decision-making between medical and surgical management. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of patient selection criteria, expected outcomes, and the role of rehabilitation in both approaches. The goal is to equip clinicians with practical tools to diagnose early/partial CCL tears, guide treatment recommendations, and optimize long-term function.
- Lumbosacral Disease in Dogs: Diagnosis and Medical Management Strategies (1 hr)– This lecture will review the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and medical management of lumbosacral disease in dogs. Emphasis will be placed on differentiating neurologic and orthopedic causes of hind limb dysfunction, identifying appropriate diagnostic tools, and implementing multimodal treatment strategies. Attendees will also learn when surgical referral is indicated and how rehabilitation can support long-term management.
Dr. Nicole Alleva, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology)
Dr. Alleva, originally from New York, earned her BS in Biochemistry at Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC. She then attended veterinary school at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. Following veterinary school, she completed a rotating internship at the University of Georgia in Athens, GA, and later went to the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO for her Neurology/Neurosurgery residency. During her residency, Dr. Alleva had the opportunity to work in both a private practice as well as in academia.
Special interests of Dr. Alleva include treating meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO), intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), and epilepsy.
Outside of the hospital, Dr. Alleva enjoys spending time with her husband and son, as well as her two cats and dog. She enjoys gardening, reading, and hiking. Her goal is to visit every state park in North Carolina!
Dr. Alleva will present these topics on Saturday:
- Neurology without the Nerves: Practical Tips for Performing a Neurologic Exam and Localizing a Lesion (1 hr)
In this one-hour lecture, we will review pertinent features of the neurologic exam with tips on how to perform the exam and interpretation of the findings. The goal of this lecture is to instill confidence in how to perform an exam and neurolocalize, the first step in working up a patient with neurologic disease. - From Subtle to Serious: Catching Missed Neurologic Conditions in Practice (1 hr)
In this interactive one-hour lecture, we will take a case-based approach to review commonly missed neurologic diagnoses in general practice. We will review how to localize these patients, differential diagnoses, and diagnostics that can be performed in practice prior to referral. We will also discuss treatment for several of these conditions.
Karen Fisher, DVM, DACVO
Dr. Karen Fisher has been with the Animal Eye Care group since 2008. She received her bachelor’s degree in marine biology from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2005 before earning her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from NC State University in 2012. Dr. Fisher completed a small animal rotating internship with the Veterinary Specialty Hospital group in Cary and Raleigh prior to completing her residency program in 2018 with Animal Eye Care in Cary. Dr. Fisher has been practicing in the Cary area since completion of her residency, and more recently is excited to be back in Wilmington as lead veterinarian. Her passions include blepharoplasty procedures, glaucoma treatment, cataract surgery, and opportunities to examine all species. In addition, she is an advocate for older patients and less invasive surgical techniques. In her spare time Dr. Fisher enjoys taking in some sun by activities outdoors, enjoying new foods, and relaxing with her family- both humans and fur family.
Dr. Fisher will present these topics on Saturday:
- Aging is Ruff: What to look for and what to do in Aging Animal Eyes (1 hr)
Aging is rough on everyone, our companion animals included. This presentation will cover common diseases seen in aging cats and dogs including case discussion and what to do when you see these problems. Some topics include, but are not limited to, what to do with corneal cloudiness, cataracts vs lenticular sclerosis, and the common presentation of “my pet isn’t seeing well.” - What to do when referral isn’t an option (1 hr)
This presentation will cover tips and tricks to recognizing emergency ophthalmic cases, why immediate action is important, and what to do when referral isn’t an option. Some topics of discussion include acute glaucoma cases, infected ulcers, bleeding inside of the eye, what you can offer at your hospital and more!
Kelly Cantanzaro, DVM, PhD, DACVM (Bacteriology)
- From Slide to Script: Using Cytology to Guide Rational Antimicrobial Prescribing (1 hr)Prescribing antimicrobial agents can be intimidating. Culture and sensitivity results take days, but the patient needs treatment now. Cytology offers a practical bridge between immediate empiric decision-making and antimicrobial selection based on those culture results. This session will show how cytologic findings can guide empiric therapy by helping clinicians recognize inflammation patterns, bacterial morphology, and signs of infection versus contamination. Participants will also review the fundamentals of interpreting culture and susceptibility reports, including common pitfalls, breakpoint nuances, and assessing the appropriateness of the empiric antibiotic. Real-world examples will demonstrate how cytology can improve empiric antimicrobial decision making.
Greg Bishop, DVM
Greg Bishop, DVM, is a small-animal veterinarian, writer, and cartoonist based in Portland, Oregon. He has practiced in emergency and general practice settings for over a decade and is the creator of Sasquatch Paw, an online platform focused on veterinary medicine, communication, and humor. Greg is a regular contributor to Veterinary Practice News and a frequent national speaker on client communication, professional wellbeing, and the practical use of humor in clinical practice. His work blends evidence-based medicine with storytelling to help veterinary teams build trust, reduce conflict, and communicate more effectively in high-stress environments.
Dr. Bishop will speak on Saturday and Sunday:
- An Illustrated History of Veterinary Medicine (1hr)
A fast-paced, cartoon-supported journey through veterinary history from the first horse doctors to today’s pet economy - Humor in Veterinary Practice (1hr)
A research-based look at how humor improves client communication, reduces burnout, and strengthens teams. - How to Neuter Aggressive Clients: Evidence-Based Client Communication for the Busy Practitioner (2 hrs)
A skills-focused lecture grounded in the latest research, with clinical tools attendees can use immediately.
Dr. Petra Černá PhD, DACVIM (SAIM), Dipl. ECVIM-CA, DABVP (Feline), MANZCVS (Medicine of Cats), CertAVP (SAM – F), MRCVS, AFHEA, AdvCertFB
RCVS Recognized Specialist in Feline Medicine
EBVS® European Veterinary Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine
Dr. Černá is an ACVIM and ECVIM diplomate in Small Animal Internal Medicine, RCVS Recognized Specialist in Feline Medicine and Diplomate of American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Feline). She graduated from the University of Veterinary Sciences in the Czech Republic in 2018 where she also obtained her first PhD in 2023.
After completing two internships in the UK, she completed Small Animal Internal Medicine Residency at Colorado State University, USA in 2023 and her second PhD focusing on feline infectious peritonitis in 2025. Dr. Černá gained the Membership of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in the Medicine of Cats. She was also awarded the ISFM Advanced Certificate in Feline Behaviour with Distinction. Dr. Černá has particular interest in feline medicine and is focusing her research on feline infectious diseases and especially FIP and is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Georgia.
Dr. Dr. Černá will present the following lectures on Sunday, sponsored by Epicur Pharma:
- The mysterious FIP 1: clinical signs and diagnosis (1 hr)
- The mysterious FIP 2: treatment and management of complicated cases, relapses and comorbidities in cats with FIP (1 hr)
These lectures will cover diagnosis of FIP and the complexities in FIP diagnosis. We will focus on managing complicated cases of FIP, what to do if cats are not responding to medications, relapses of FIP as well as cats that develop comorbidities such as IMHA, sepsis, pneumonia etc. We will also address questions about treating cats with FIV/FeLV. We will discuss relapses of FIP as these are not so common and making sure we do not overdiagnose FIP relapse and avoid both unnecessary antiviral treatments as well as provide appropriate therapy
