International Veterinary Nurses
                           and Technicians Association


The IVNTA is an association of member countries which seeks to foster and promote links with
Veterinary Nursing / Veterinary Technician staff worldwide by communication and co-operation.

IVNTA Revitalized

It started in Vienna, Austria at the World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress in October 1991, where 25 delegates representing 11 countries attended an International Round Table. The purpose was to provide a forum where Veterinary Nurses and Veterinary Technicians from all over the World would assemble to discuss the establishment of an International Association.

More than two years of planning and preparation came to fruition in October 1993 in England, where AHT/VTs and VN representatives from 14 countries met to establish the International Veterinary Nurses and Technicians Association. There were 70 delegates travelling from the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, The Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Germany, South Africa, Finland, Ghana and Japan. These, joined with over 1,000 British delegates attending the BVNA 20th Annual Congress, made it a truly international event.

The IVNTA is an Association (communication group) of member countries, which seek to foster and promote links with Veterinary Nurses and Veterinary Technicians worldwide by communication and co-operation.

The Association goals in 1993 were to:

  • Promote the profession of Veterinary Nursing / Veterinary Technology worldwide.
  • Raise the standards of Veterinary Nursing / Veterinary Technician training and care.
  • Provide mutual help and support between member countries.
  • Encourage mutual understanding and recognition of qualifications.
  • Liaise with all interested parties.
  • Foster an exchange of experience, knowledge and staff between member countries.

The Association developed a Constitution and has held 8 General Meetings up until 2004. Since the beginning, the British Veterinary Nursing Association has been responsible for the position of Secretariat. The Secretariat is responsible for:

  • Updating of the membership list.
  • Informing members of relevant events and information.
  • Producing a regular e-newsletter to be sent to each member country.
  • Providing a channel of open communication for members.
  • Offering help and advice to inquirers.

Recently, the Association has been inactive. To keep communication flowing amongst a group this size (from around the world) is a formidable task. The BVNA have served as Secretariat since 1993 and feel it is time to transfer this duty. In 2007, Sandy Hass RVT, a member of CAAHTT, agreed to take on the task of Secretariat.

The countries that have known contacts are: Australia, Canada, Finland, Ghana, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States. It is unknown whether the contacts for the following countries are correct: France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Sandy will undertake the work of finding contacts for all the countries.

The hope is to establish contact with the original member countries and others if they exist. Please contact the IVNTA if you have any information on associations. If you have inquiries regarding work in other countries, please visit the website (www.ivnta.org) and inquire directly to the country of your choice. The IVNTA is definitely worthy of continuance. To say that Veterinary Nurse and Veterinary Technician Associations from around the world communicate and have contact is a great accomplishment!

Sandy Hass RVT
Secretariat IVNTA
 

  2008-03-10