Who we are

President

Bella is a Massachusetts native who grew up riding horses and wanting to be an equine vet. She went to Becker College where she earned both her A.Sc. in Veterinary Technology and B.Sc. in Animal Science with Pre-Vet concentration, graduating in 2017. Mid-way through school she decided the technician track was the better path for her. She worked in equine lameness in Kentucky for a short period before moving home and passing the VTNE in 2019. She worked at Angell in Boston before moving to Maine in 2021 to work in another specialty hospital.

Bella's professional interests include all things internal medicine - specifically liver and kidney diseases and immune mediated disease. She feels rigorous CE requirements for technicians are important and hopes to have an impact on this in Maine. She is passionate about fostering a goal oriented environment for technicians of all skill levels. Bella's personal interests include riding horses, hiking with her husband and dogs, gardening, and traveling. She loves Portland for its abundance of food and beach!

Immediate Past President

Lori Dinsmore has been a part of the Veterinary Medicine field ever since she can remember. She has always been an animal lover of all species without discrimination. Growing up, Lori got her start learning to care for animals on her small family farm in northern coastal Maine followed by volunteering and working at both shelters and veterinary hospitals. She eventually attended SUNY Delhi and attained her credentials as a licensed veterinary technician. Following school, Lori was accepted into a veterinary technician internship at AMC in Manhattan where she spent the next year honing her skills and knowledge, pushing herself to always be better and know more. Over the years, Lori worked mainly in Specialty and Emergency, first attaining her Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in small animal Internal Medicine and then in Emergency and Critical Care. She has her certification in fear free/low stress handling, certification as an expert trainer, and is always looking for the ‘what’s next’ to improve patient care.

When asked about her drive to commit to the Maine VTA, Lori states “I am a firm believer in the saying ‘always leave where you are better than you found it’. This profession is always evolving, and we each owe it to those who come next to continue to push the profession forward. Know, it is not about what your profession can do for you but what you can do for your profession, your peers, and all the animals we care for. I would love to see everyone in the profession taking part in their local, state, regional, national, and/or international organizations. Yes, time is a precious commodity for us all, taking part in these organizations is a small but crucial contribution of o

Vice President

Amber has been animal-obsessed since she can remember. Her love for horses was her primary passion in childhood, and onward. That passion and work in that field eventually led to her involvement in veterinary medicine first as an assistant, and then took her through the veterinary technology program at the University of Maine at Augusta. Amber graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science and passed the VTNE to become licensed.

Amber loves emergency and intensive care veterinary medicine, and after several years working in general practice, started working for the state’s largest Specialty/ER in Emergency and Critical Care, where she has been for four years.

Amber feels strongly about mental health in veterinary medicine, title protection and CE requirements for LVTs. Her goals as a member of the MeVTA BOD is to focus on these items.

Outside of veterinary medicine, Amber works with people and their horses, has a small dairy goat herd used for breeding and milking, and is working on her yoga teacher and reiki certifications. She lives with her three horses, nine goats, two dogs, and cat.

Secretary

Amanda graduated from Great Bay Community College in 2008, earning her A.A.S degree in veterinary technology, and became licensed through the state of Maine, after passing the VTNE that same year. She achieved her VTS in emergency and critical care in 2018. Amanda is the NAVTA District 1 Representative, AVECCTN Credentials Committee Chair, and currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Technology.

Treasurer

Peg has taught in animal science and veterinary technology for over 25 years and is currently the Student Recruitment Liaison for Rarebreed Veterinary Partners and an adjunct professor at the University of Maine Augusta. Previously, Peg developed and served as Department Chair for a Veterinary Technology program and an Animal Care and Management program at York Community College in Wells, Maine. Prior to that, Peg owned and operated a pet services/farm feed and supply/municipal animal shelter business for over 20 years. Peg has an AAS in Veterinary Technology, BS in Animal Science, BS in Environmental Conservation, an MS in Adult and Higher Education, and recently earned a Master's level Professional Certificate in Career Coaching.

Peg resurrected the MVTA several years ago with the help of several dedicated LVTs, and after serving 5 years as the president, now serves as the past-president. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals and on the Advisory Commitees for Tufts at Tech program in Worcester, MA and Penn Foster animal care programs. Peg is also a volunteer for the York County Animal Rescue Team. Peg has written for the Journal for AVTE and a VTNE Test Prep prodict for Cengage Learning. She co-created with Garnetta Santiago of Zoetis a DEIB initiative for veterinary technology programs, VTIDESb, that will be hosted by AVTE.

Peg lives in southern Maine and enjoys time with her husband, three kids and three grandkids, and many animals including cats, dogs, horses, donkeys, goats, and various species of poultry.

Member at Large

Elspeth's journey in the veterinary world spans over a decade, beginning with her studies at the University of Vermont, where she explored the impact of agriculture on communities. However, her true calling emerged in animal care, leading her to become a LVT. She started her career in shelter medicine before venturing into mobile practice, teaching, and emergency medicine.

In her current role as a referral coordinator for the Maine Veterinary Medical Center, Elspeth serves as a linchpin in the New England veterinary community, facilitating support and networking among professionals. When not immersed in her work, she finds solace in nature, whether in her garden, on the water, or in the mountains, you’ll always find her furry companions by her side.

She is excited to join the board of directors for MVTA, furthering her commitment to advancing the profession and supporting her fellow veterinary technicians.