Kendra Dostaler, BS, RVT, VTS-EVN, says years of broad equine experience helped her find her specialty—and that earning the credential changed how some veterinarians engaged with her input. In this interview, she discusses choosing equine veterinary nursing, how practices can make effective use of a VTS, what she finds rewarding, and what experience she recommends before applying.
What made you choose your specialty area?
Dostaler says she spent years gaining experience before settling on equine work, a field she found herself drawn back to. Her path took her from general practice toward referral practice, where she encountered different facets of equine veterinary medicine.
She chose the Academy of Equine Veterinary Nursing Technicians (AEVNT) because, in her view, it encompasses major areas of equine care, while some other academies focus on a narrower area. That is her personal reason for choosing the specialty.
What is one thing you wish you could tell general practitioners regarding your specialty?
Dostaler’s message is that a VTS is a credentialed veterinary technician with advanced skills and knowledge—not a replacement for a veterinarian. The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) describes veterinary technician specialty programs as recognition of advanced knowledge and skills in a discipline, and lists AEVNT as a fully recognized academy. NAVTA says AEVNT advances the education and professional recognition of credentialed equine veterinary technicians dedicated to high-quality nursing care (NAVTA’s overview of veterinary technician specialties; approved academies).
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For equine practice, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) provides important context: the attending veterinarian leads the healthcare team and remains responsible for healthcare decisions. Veterinarians may delegate appropriate tasks to credentialed technicians according to applicable law, supervision, and professional competency. The limits vary by jurisdiction, and AAEP says some invasive or higher-risk procedures should not be delegated to technicians. A VTS credential does not grant veterinary licensure or independent authority to diagnose, prescribe, or make treatment decisions. See the AAEP position on healthcare-provider roles, revised by its board in 2024.
What is one thing that would make your job more satisfying?
Dostaler says satisfaction comes from being able to use the full range of her skills within the limits of her legal scope. Her answer points to the value of clear roles and appropriate delegation: when a technician’s training matches the work entrusted to them, they can contribute more fully to patient care.
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What is the most rewarding part of being an equine VTS?
Dostaler values taking part in many aspects of an equine patient’s care. She also says earning the credential changed how some veterinarians she works with responded to her observations and opinions:
“Since having my VTS, I have noticed a dynamic change with the veterinarians I work with. They seem to listen closer to even the smallest concerns, and ask my thoughts and opinions about patient care.”
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This is Dostaler’s account of her workplace experience, not a survey of veterinary teams.
What advice would you give to someone considering your specialty?
Dostaler recommends building experience in different areas of equine veterinary medicine before applying. She singles out hospital-based work with hospitalized critical patients, foals, and general anesthesia as especially useful for developing skills relevant to an application.
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She describes mastery as being able to perform a skill consistently and without supervision, and cautions that a brief referral-hospital rotation is not enough to develop that level of experience. These are her recommendations, not a complete statement of AEVNT’s current application requirements. Prospective applicants should consult the academy for its official eligibility criteria and application process.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What does an equine VTS do, and how do you become one?
A Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) is a credentialed veterinary technician recognized for advanced expertise in a defined area. In equine veterinary nursing, the AEVNT specialty reflects advanced preparation in equine patient care; it does not change the technician’s status into that of a veterinarian.
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AAHA reported on June 4, 2026, that Dostaler was accepted into AEVNT’s class of 2024 and earned the VTS (EVN) credential. Her route illustrates the importance of sustained, varied experience, but the interview does not provide a full application checklist. Check AEVNT’s current requirements directly before planning an application.
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