Executive Board Members

PRESIDENT

TRICIA STONE, CVT

 

  

 

Trisha was born and raised in Billings, Montana. She started in the field at a young age, volunteering at a local small animal veterinary hospital. Her passion was nurtured and ultimately urged her to continue in the field. Trish graduated from Bel-Rea in Denver, Colorado, with an Associates of Applied Science and passed the VTNE. She then moved back to Montana, became Certified, and worked in small animal orthopedics. Her passion in the field is surgical assisting, monitoring anesthesia, peri-operative care, sharing her knowledge and skills with Veterinary Assistants and Technicians. Trish applied and accepted a position at Pima Medical Institute as an Instructor and Clinical Director in 2015 and continues to teach there today. This will be Trisha’s first position in the Big Sky Veterinary Technicians Association. She loves to spend time with her husband, two children, two dogs, and three cats in her free time. She is an avid snowboarder and loves to camp, hike, and get outdoors.

 

PAST PRESIDENT

ELI OLIND, LVT 

 

 

 

I am a born and raised resident of Whitehall, Mt.  I graduated from Eastern Wyoming College in December of 2010 with an A.A.S. degree in Veterinary Technology.  I have been certified through Montana and working at a mixed animal practices since 2011.  I currently work at a mixed animal practice in McAllister, Mt, and am a part-time instructor of Veterinary Technology at Pima Medical Institute’s Dillon Campus.  I also currently serve on the BSVTA’s legislative committee working alongside of the MVMA to put licensure in place for Veterinary Technicians.  In my free time you’ll find me competing at a rodeo, or out on a horse in the mountains.

 

PRESIDENT ELECT

LEAH ANDERSON, CVT

 

Leah began her veterinary career working at a Colorado clinic in high school. She was attending Colorado State University in pursuit of an equine science degree when a friend mentioned Bel-Rea Institute to her. After touring the school, Leah knew this was the correct career path so she transferred to Bel-Rea and returned to working at the clinic. While at Bel-Rea, Leah had the opportunity to do a two month internship at Littleton Equine among numerous other amazing opportunities. When she graduated in 2012, Leah and her husband moved to Montana where she started working at Pet Emergency and Trauma Services. After one year doing emergency medicine, she transitioned to Foothills Veterinary Hospital. Leah wanted to become more involved, which led her to the BSVTA. After attending a regional meeting, she began helping with the newsletter, which progressed to her becoming the secretary. In her free time Leah can be found reading, shooting her bow, quilting or scrapbooking.

 

TREASURER

DIXIE MACK, CVT
 
Dixie was a Director for the BSVTA Executive Board from 2014-2016 and has been the BSVTA treasurer since 2018.  Supporting the technician association as a Director broadened her knowledge of what being on a board entailed and made her aware of the background work that happens in an organization. Dixie grew up in White Sulphur Springs Montana on a cattle ranch.  Becoming a certified technician was not really in the plans for her life. She started working at Bear Paw Veterinary Service 22 years ago as a part time receptionist.  As life goes, Dixie started working more, became an assistant, then a technician and then obtained her veterinary technician certification.  Currently, Dixie is the office manager at Bear Paw Veterinary Service.  One thing is certain, she learns something new everyday about animals and humans. Dixie has been married to her husband, Doug for almost 31 years.  They have two adult daughters and one granddaughter and have lived in Montana their entire lives.

 

 SECRETARY

LEAH ANDERSON, CVT
 
Leah began her veterinary career working at a Colorado clinic in high school. She was attending Colorado State University in pursuit of an equine science degree when a friend mentioned Bel-Rea Institute to her. After touring the school, Leah knew this was the correct career path so she transferred to Bel-Rea and returned to working at the clinic. While at Bel-Rea, Leah had the opportunity to do a two month internship at Littleton Equine among numerous other amazing opportunities. When she graduated in 2012, Leah and her husband moved to Montana where she started working at Pet Emergency and Trauma Services. After one year doing emergency medicine, she transitioned to Foothills Veterinary Hospital. Leah wanted to become more involved, which led her to the BSVTA. After attending a regional meeting, she began helping with the newsletter, which progressed to her becoming the secretary. In her free time Leah can be found reading, shooting her bow, quilting or scrapbooking.

 

DIRECTOR 1

CIARA SHERMAN, LVT
Ciara was born and raised in Montana. She always knew animals held a special place in her heart and decided to pursue that dream. She became a CVT in 2018 and a LVT in 2023. Her passions are in emergency medicine and wildlife rehabilitation. She currently works at an emergency and specialty hospital in Missoula. In her spare time you can find her outside hiking, huckleberry picking, skiing or enjoying the lakes and rivers with her two pups Annie and Siegen. 

 

DIRECTOR 2

SHANDELL SANDO, CVT
 
Shandell was born and raised in Butte, MT.  She now lives in Big Sandy, MT on her boyfriend’s family farm and ranch.  Shandell started her veterinary technician career at a mixed animal practice in Rapid City, SD. She gained experience in both general practice and emergency medicine. In 2015, she graduated with her Veterinary Technician degree from Penn Foster College and obtained her Montana certification shortly after. She is currently working for the ASPCA. In her spare time she enjoys horseback riding, spending time with friends and family, exploring different areas of Montana, and spending quality time at home.

 

DIRECTOR 3

ISAAC ROST

Isaac was born in Bozeman, MT and graduated high school from Custer County District High School in Miles City, MT. He attended Miles Community College and received an Associate of Science degree in 2013. He now resides in Three Forks, MT. Isaac has worked as a Veterinary Assistant since 2017 and has been at Meadow Creek Veterinary in McAllister, MT since 2019. One of his proudest accomplishments was standing in front of the Montana Legislature in 2021 and advocating for licensure of Veterinary Technicians. He enjoys monitoring patients under anesthesia and assisting with various other procedures. He looks forward to advancing his skills in veterinary medicine to help care for the various patients that come to Meadow Creek Vet. In his spare time he helps his family at their motel in Three Forks. He also enjoys Taekwondo, playing hockey, watching sporting events, and spending time with family and friends.

CONTINUING EDUCATION CHAIR

ANNI O’HARA, CVT
 
Anni grew up on a small subsistence farm in rural south central Pennsylvania.  Which is what fostered her love for animals.  She earned a BS in Veterinary Technology at Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA in 1999.  In the same year, she took her first fulltime job at a vet hospital in Livingston, MT.  Now she is a full-time mom of four little ones. She also manages a small farm including goats, cows, horses, chickens, cats, a dog, and a few frogs.