Spring 2026 Symposium
Join us in Bend for our fourth annual Spring Symposium. Tickets include 5 hours of RACE approved lectures for both veterinarians and technicians/assistants plus a catered lunch. Space is limited.
All ticket proceeds will benefit PetsForward, a 501c3 nonprofit and advanced healthcare fund, that ensures pet-patients receive the essential medical care they need to thrive, without the financial barriers that limit their treatment options.
Event Details
Saturday, April 18, 2026
8:30am – 4:00pm
Riverhouse Convention Center
3075 N. Business 97
Bend, Oregon 97703
DVM Ticket price: $25
CVT Ticket Price: $15
(Benefiting PetsForward)
Riverhouse on the Deschutes Convention Center
DVM TRACK
5 Hours of RACE Approved Credits
8:30-9:00am Registration and Coffee
9:00-9:30am Opening Remarks
9:30-10:30 Lecture 1:
“Squeezing every drop of info out of your CBC” – Guillermo Couto, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM and Oncology)
10:30-11:30 Lecture 2:
“Seizure Management Made Easy” – Dr. Annie Chen-Allen, DVM, MS, Dip ACVIM Neurology
11:30-11:45 Break
11:45-12:45 Lecture 3:
“Understanding and Managing Intraoperative Hypotension” -Dr. Lily Davis, DVM, CVA, DACVAA Anesthesia
12:45-1:45 Lunch
1:45-2:45 Lecture 4 (DVM and CVT):
Sponsored by American Regent Animal Health:
“Building an OA Protocol: How to Mobilize Your Team” – Denis J. Marcellin-Little DECVS, DACVSMR, DEDV, DACVS
2:45-3:00 Remarks from VRCCO CEO
3:00-4:00 Lecture 5 (DVM and CVT):
“Practice Makes Perfect – Practice Tips I Have Learned After 40 years in the Trenches” -Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald, PhD, DVM, DABVP (Canine/Feline)
CVT TRACK
5 Hours of RACE Approved Credits
8:30-9:00am Registration and Coffee
9:00-9:30am Opening Remarks
9:30-10:30 Lecture 1:
“Understanding and Managing Intraoperative Hypotension” -Dr. Lily Davis, DVM, CVA, DACVAA Anesthesia
10:30-11:30 Lecture 2:
“Don’t Bite the Dust: CPR Review” – Dr. Victoria Arbona, DVM, MS, DACVECC Critical Care
11:30-11:45 Break
11:45-12:45 Lecture 3:
“Cytology for the technician” -Guillermo Couto, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM and Oncology)
12:45-1:45 Lunch
1:45-2:45 Lecture 4 (DVM & CVT):
Sponsored by American Regent Animal Health:
“Building an OA Protocol: How to Mobilize Your Team” – Denis J. Marcellin-Little DECVS, DACVSMR, DEDV, DACVS
2:45-3:00 Remarks from VRCCO CEO
3:00-4:00 Lecture 5 (DVM & CVT):
“Practice Makes Perfect – Practice Tips I Have Learned After 40 years in the Trenches” -Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald, PhD, DVM, DABVP (Canine/Feline)
GUEST SPEAKER
Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald, PhD, DVM, DABVP (Canine/Feline)
Kevin Fitzgerald is a Denver native and attended the University of Colorado in Boulder. After completing a bachelor’s degree, he received a master’s and PhD in Endocrinology. He then went on to obtain his DVM from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Colorado State University. Since 1983, he has practiced small animal medicine at VCA Alameda East Veterinary Hospital in Denver. In 1998, he became board-certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in the Canine/Feline specialty.
He has served as President of the Denver Area Veterinary Medical Society, on the board of the Rocky Mountain Poison Center, and is currently on the Board of Directors at the Denver Zoo. Since 2010, he has visited the Zoo’s research site in Mongolia, where he assists their work with endangered species and works with veterinary wildlife students. He has been honored as Veterinary Specialist of the Year in Private Practice by Hills Dog Food and received The Gentle Doctor Award by the Morris Animal Foundation.
In addition to private practice, Dr. Fitzgerald continues to do research and has authored over one-hundred and fifty peer-reviewed scientific articles, including 62 chapters in various veterinary textbooks. Since 1983, he has served as Professor Adjunct and taught “Perspectives in Veterinary Medicine” to pre-veterinary students at the University of Denver. As a sought-after speaker, he lectures frequently at veterinary conferences around the world.
Kevin is probably best known for his eleven seasons on the popular Animal Planet television series Emergency Vets. He also writes a monthly column for the American Kennel Club’s Family Dog magazine, and, since 2003, has appeared every Monday morning on Denver’s Channel 2 anchoring an animal news segment.
Dr. Fitzgerald believes it is a privilege to practice veterinary medicine.
GUEST SPEAKER
Sponsored by American Regent Animal Health:
Denis J. Marcellin-Little DECVS, DACVSMR, DEDV, DACVS
Dr. Marcellin-Little is professor of small animal orthopedic surgery at the University of California, Davis. He graduated from the veterinary school of Toulouse in France and specialized in surgery in Florida and at North Carolina State University. Dr. Marcellin-Little is board certified in veterinary surgery and in sports medicine and rehabilitation. Clinically, Dr. Marcellin-Little has a focus on total joint replacement and the management of limb deformities.
Dr. Marcellin-Little research is focused on modeling musculoskeletal structures and designing and fabricating orthopedic implants and on the management of chronic pain. Dr. Marcellin-Little brings an evidence-based approach to the management of orthopedic problems and chronic pain in companion animals.
GUEST SPEAKER
Guillermo Couto, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM and Oncology)
Guillermo Couto, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM and Oncology) graduated from Buenos Aires University, Argentina in 1976. He spent 5 years as a private practice small animal practitioner in his home town, and then completed a Clinical Oncology Residency at the University of California-Davis. He is coauthor of the textbook Small Animal Internal Medicine with Richard W. Nelson, now in its sixth edition, and has over 350 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters in the areas of oncology, hematology, and Greyhound medicine.
Dr. Couto served as Editor In Chief of the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine and President of the Veterinary Cancer Society; he received numerous teaching and service awards while at the University. After over 30 years in academia, he is now providing consultation and educational services through Couto Veterinary Consultants, Hilliard, Ohio.
VRCCO SPEAKER
Dr. Annie Chen-Allen, DVM, MS, Dip ACVIM Neurology
Dr. Annie Chen-Allen is excited to be the first board-certified veterinary neurologist in Central Oregon! She received her degree in veterinary medicine from Texas A&M University. She then completed a small animal rotating internship along with a neurology residency at Washington State University. While in her residency, she also obtained a master’s degree. Because of her love for teaching and research, Dr. Chen-Allen stayed on as a faculty neurologist at Washington State University for the last 17 years. She has numerous peer-reviewed publications and has been invited to speak at conferences both nationally and internationally.
She has also received multiple teaching awards. She loves sharing her passion for neurology to other veterinarians, students, technicians, staff, and pet parents. She hopes to continue to provide continuing education lectures throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Dr. Chen-Allen practices both neuromedicine and neurosurgery. Her research and clinical interest is in brain tumors, specifically focusing on improving treatments for these patients. Her surgical interests are in brain tumor resections including pituitary tumors and spinal surgeries for disk ruptures, spinal fractures, and spinal tumors. She also provides management for seizure, vestibular and stroke patients. She strives to provide the best care possible for each patient and to support the pet family thru the process of managing a neurologic pet.
Outside of the clinic, Dr. Chen-Allen enjoys spending time with her husband, Andy, and their two sons, Gabriel and Paxton. They have two German Wirehaired Pointers, Mater and Finn, two cats named Daisy and Sage, and a horse named Chloe. They love fishing, hiking, boating, camping, mountain biking and skiing. They are excited to explore everything Central Oregon has to offer!
VRCCO SPEAKER
Dr. Victoria Arbona, DVM, MS, DACVECC Critical Care
Dr. Arbona graduated from veterinary school at Ross University in 2014. Prior to this she received a Master’s degree in Physiology from North Carolina State University. She then completed a rotating internship at Wisconsin Veterinary Referral Center, and surgery internships at New York Specialty Center and Aspen Meadow Veterinary Specialists in Colorado. She completed a residency in Critical Care and Emergency medicine at Veterinary Specialty Hospital of San Diego – Sorrento Valley in December 2023 and joined the Emergency team at the Veterinary Referral Center of Central Oregon as a residency-trained and board certified, Criticalist. Her professional interests include sepsis, mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal therapies.
VRCCO SPEAKER
Dr. Lily Davis, DVM, CVA, DACVAA Anesthesia
Dr. Lily Davis was born and raised outside of Washington, D.C. but was glad to move west to attend Colorado State University for both undergraduate and veterinary school. During veterinary school she fell in love with anesthesiology, and how it allowed her to deeply understand physiology and pharmacology. Following graduation she completed an internship in Denver, followed by a 3-year residency in small and large animal anesthesia and analgesia at the University of Tennessee. She is ecstatic to be out west again in Bend.
Dr. Davis’s professional interests include managing patients that are critically ill or experiencing cardiovascular instability, as well as providing multimodal analgesia for particularly painful procedures. She has a passion for teaching veterinary staff of all levels. Anesthesia can be intimidating to many, and she loves to empower technicians and in-training veterinarians to perform anesthesia to the best of their ability.
When not working you can find Dr. Davis exploring local trails with her husband and their dog, Cotton. They enjoy being active, and recovering at a local brewery or coffee shop. She also loves cooking new recipes and making embroidery projects.
If you have any questions please contact: info@vrcvet.com. We hope to see you at the Spring 2026 Symposium!
Saturday April 18, 2026
8:30am – 4:00pm
Riverhouse Convention Center
3075 N. Business 97
Bend, Oregon 97703
DVM Ticket price: $25
CVT Ticket Price: $15
(Benefiting PetsForward)