2025-2026 Speaker Series
If you have ideas for a talk that you would like us to offer, please contact Mary Beth McKee at mckeemb@appstate.edu.
Pet Peace Talks: Strategies for Blending Pets & Fostering
Have you ever wanted to introduce a new pet into your household? Blending pet families requires plenty of time, patience and communication. Watauga Humane Society's Medical Technician, Hansen Dendinger, and Director of Operations and Animal Welfare, Ashlee Yepez, will discuss preparing your home for a new pet, integrating a new pet with existing ones, adopting and fostering animals from the Humane Society, and volunteering at the Humane Society.
Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Time: 9:30 a.m. EST
Zoom: https://appstate.zoom.us/j/93385184940?pwd=q8s9BVaWXPtt5ogancTVmHdTGtUQIG.1
Let’s Talk Pet Food: Making More Informed Choices
Making good nutritional choices for pets can be challenging. Pet parents are sometimes confused or misinformed about nutritional facts pertaining to pet foods, and common nutritional myths can complicate choices. What treats are safe to feed pets, and what are some common ones that can be hazardous? Join Jen Serling and Ann Wortinger for a talk about pet food nutrition and how to read pet food labels. Bring your pet's food label to see how to read it for your situation.
Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. EST
Zoom: https://appstate.zoom.us/j/93899941588?pwd=KcFtTrN5nYzS10n2VpveQTieqTLnjM.1
Backyard Chickens
More people are embracing the idea of raising chickens at home. Whether you are experienced with chickens but have questions or you have been contemplating becoming a part of the chicken-keeping community, there’s no need to wing it. From setting up the perfect coop to ensuring a steady supply of wholesome eggs, Ann Wortinger will walk you through every step of the process.
Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. EST
Zoom: https://appstate.zoom.us/j/91955251144?pwd=u8WXPoa5NJ2pEWsMeP8blznFv0gKz6.1
2024-2025 Speaker Series
If you have ideas for a talk that you would like us to offer, please contact Mary Beth McKee.
Whisker Wonderland: A Guide To Keeping Your Pets Safe During The Holidays
Date: November 14, 2024
With the holidays right around the corner, App State Vet Tech's Jen Serling provides holiday tips for your pets. Holiday celebrations can be great for people, but the decorations, new food, guests and travel can be stressful for our furry friends. Serling discusses the environmental changes that can impact your pets over the holidays, how to plan to make sure they are safe and how to minimize pet stress. Whether you’re traveling or home for the holidays, watch this talk to learn more!
Working Like a Dog: The Truth About Emotional Support Animals & Service Dogs
Date: November 6, 2024
More and more, we see people taking animals, typically dogs, into stores and other public spaces. What is the difference between an emotional support animal and a service dog? Is it different from a therapy dog? App State Vet Tech's Beckie Mossor explores the topic of service animals versus emotional support animals.
Pet Dental Care: Information To Sink Your Teeth Into!
Date: October 24, 2024
Increasingly, vets are talking to people about their pet's oral care. In this talk, App State Vet Tech's Tammi Smith shares important tips to help maintain your pet's teeth and the importance of oral health. Are cleanings necessary for pets? Do these treats that offer oral cleaning really help? Smith presents information and responds to questions. She holds a veterinary technician specialist (VTS) degree, an advanced degree for credentialed veterinary technicians, with a specialty in dentistry.