South Carolina Association of Veterinary Technicians
Binding Professionals Together
Board Members
Zohra Badat
President
Zohra graduated from Trident Tech in 2005 with dual Associates degrees; one in Veterinary Technology and the other in Applied Science. In 2008 she graduated from Webster University with a Bachelor in Business Management. In 2017 she received her SHRM-CP certification in Human Resources. She has worked in GP and Shelter Medicine as an LVT and Clinic Manager. She was also an Adjunct Instructor in the Vet Tech program at TTC. In 2024 she received the LVT of the Year Award.
Melissa Entrekin
Past President
Melissa graduated from St. Petersburg College in 2003. She has worked as a Lab Asst for the Vet Tech program at Piedmont Tech, and as an LVT at Upstate Vet & Emergency Clinic. Melissa received her VTS in Emergency & Critical Care in 2012. Melissa was recently voted Veterinary Technician of the year by NAVTA.
Kendall Bak
Secretary
Kendall graduated from Northern Virginia Community College in 2006 and obtained her LVT that year. She has worked in various specialty and referral hospitals as well as general practices around the country for the last 20 years. She obtained her VTS in Emergency and Critical Care in 2021. Prior to working in veterinary medicine, she was a music teacher, and her passion for teaching extends into vetmed. She lives in the Charleston area with her family and 2 dogs, 2 cats, several fish and an axolotl.
Adrienne Kruzer
Treasurer
Adrienne has worked in veterinary medicine since 2004 on both the clinical and non-clinical sides. She is a credentialed Veterinary Technician in Ohio, North Carolina, and South Carolina, has written for various pet and vet publications for over 14 years, has lectured at veterinary conferences and colleges across the country, and currently works for Veterinary Emergency Group as their Senior Talent Manager of Nursing Programs. She is also a NAVTA and AVTE member, runs the Association of Industry Veterinary Technicians group on Facebook, and actively represents her profession on social media as “Vet Tech Without Scrubs.”
Sarah Schwenzer
Piedmont District Representative
Sarah graduated from Wayne County Community College in 2004. She has always had a passion for zoo medicine and has been employed by Greenville Zoo for 9.5 yrs as an LVT and Veterinary Hospital Coordinator. One of her favorite parts of her job is using operant conditioning for voluntary medical behaviors in zoo animals. She is also a member of SC Veterinary Emergency Corps.
Jeanna Lineberger
Piedmont District Reprresentative
Jeanna currently lives in Fort Mill. She graduated from Purdue Univ. then went into private practice for 12 years before joining Riverbanks Zoo and doing field research on sea turtles in South America for 14 years.
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Lauren Howard
Coastal District Representative
Lauren has been a dedicated Licensed Veterinary Technician in South Carolina since 2017, bringing a wealth of experience across various specialties, including General Practice, Internal Medicine, Oncology, Emergency, and ICU care. In addition to her clinical expertise, she has served as an adjunct instructor at an AVMA-accredited program in the Charleston area. Currently, Lauren contributes to the profession as a board member of the South Carolina Association of Veterinary Technicians. Lauren is thrilled to contribute her expertise and experience to training support staff throughout the US in her current position, bringing enthusiasm and a commitment to excellence. In her free time, Lauren loves relaxing with her three rescue dogs—Nala (13), Remi(12), and Lt. Dan(9). She also enjoys exploring the scenic Charleston coast and savoring meals with friends at local restaurants.
Michelle McConnell
Coastal District Representative
Michelle graduated from Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology in Denver, Colorado in 2002. She obtained her VTS in Anesthesia in 2007. Michelle joined Vetamac in 2011 as a service technician/sales associate where she provides annual service on anesthesia equipment and RACE approved CE seminars on anesthesia in veterinary hospitals and national conferences. Michelle also works part-time for Low Country Pet Hospice providing hospice care for animals in Charleston and surrounding areas.
Kristen Schoen
Coastal District Representative
Michele Neal
Midlands District Representative
Michelle attended Newberry College to pursue her Bachelors's in Veterinary Technology and Biology degree. She’s been working for Hills Pet Nutrition for almost 10 years educating staff in SC and NC on the power of nutrition. In 2020 she went back to her roots and took on relief work as an LVT at CVETS. While still working for Hills full time she’s at CVETS some nights/weekends to keep her skills sharp and prepare her to get her VTS in nutrition.
Annika Ramcke
Midlands District Representative
Annika graduated from Murray State University in Kentucky in 2011 with her BS in Agriculture, with an emphasis in Veterinary Technology. She started her career in emergency medicine in KY, and moved to SC to continue her work in emergency medicine. She is currently the Nursing Director at CVETS in Columbia. She enjoys working with an awesome hospital team every day and continues to grow not only as a Technician in the field but also as a leader for her team. She is able to combine her love in the veterinary field and be a part of them every day and seeing team members grow in their own careers has been the most rewarding part of her career.