President -  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, and chickens. 

Past President - Amanda Cushman, CVT

President-Elect –Sandra Bolduc, CVT, VTS (Oncology)

Pic and bio coming soon!

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 – Melissa Rocha, CVT

Melissa has an associates degree in Veterinary Technology from Massasoit Community College in 2019 and became credentialed that same year.  She has been working with animals in various settings since 2003, and has a passion for marine ones.  Currently she works in radiology/nuclear medicine mainly treating hyperthyroid cats for a large hospital.  She enjoys attending conferences and vast knowledge they provide, for the ever-changing field.  She is a member of NAVTA, Feline Veterinary Medical Association, and Fear Free.  She enjoys spending time at the beach with her husband and her pup Luna.  She also has 2 cats Tigger and Jack and 2 skinks Joe’s Girlfriend and Hermes.  

Member at Large -  Tracey Olivieri, M.Ed, CVT

Hi, I am Tracey! I have been a CVT for 26 years and in the field since I was 15, as an assistant, a tech and as a supervisor. I spent the most amount of time in Neurology but also worked in ER/ICU, General Practice, and other specialities as well. In 2017, I decided to change paths a little bit and started teaching veterinary science at the high school level. I am now in my 7th year teaching and working at Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School. We are fortunate to have our on site veterinary clinic, Angell at Essex, where I get to spend time teaching students and working with the staff as well. I have my AA and BS in Veterinary Technology from Mount Ida College and a M.Ed from Fitchburg State University. I also still work per diem for the MSPCA and Ethos Veterinary Health (mainly Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital). I love staying current in the field and working on the floor, keeping up with my skills! I live in Haverhill, MA with my husband and stepson who is 14. We have a blonde scraggly mutt named Zoee and 3 perfect cats, Siri, Goose, and Tito. We also have a betta named Eggplant Eddie (Eggie for short) and he has 3 snail pals. I am happy to be on the MVTA board and look forward to collaborating with all involved!

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