BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University's Veterinary Technology program, with support from the College of Arts and Sciences, is pleased to announce the lineup for its fall 2026 speaker series.
The three events will take place on Sept. 2, Sept. 16, and Oct. 21 via Zoom:
Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 10–11 a.m. EST
Rescue Animals 101: Adoption, Strays, and Community Partnerships
Presented by Hansen Dendinger of the Watauga Humane Society
This session covers top tips for acclimating newly adopted pets, including the 3‑3‑3 rule; Good Samaritan guidance for community members who find stray animals; and how humane societies collaborate with agencies and organizations to support animal welfare. Hansen Dendinger, a graduate of App State's Veterinary Technology program, will share her experiences working at the Watauga Humane Society. She will also discuss how her skills have grown as she became a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT).
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Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 10–11 a.m. EST
More Than a Pet: The Human–Animal Bond and Relationship‑Centered Care
Presented by Lisa Wiborg, App State Veterinary Technology Wellness and Engagement Coordinator
For many people, animals are members of the family. This session explores the human–animal bond through a veterinary social work lens, including the roles animals may play in identity, connection, coping, caregiving, and family life. Participants will consider the difference between human–animal interactions and the human–animal bond, and examine how recognizing the relationship between an animal and their person can contribute to relationship‑centered veterinary care. Real‑world examples will illustrate how understanding both ends of the leash can support animals, the people who love them, and the professionals who care for them.
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Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 10–11 a.m. EST
Understanding Pet Loss and Bereavement: Honoring the Bond
Presented by Lisa Wiborg, App State Veterinary Technology Wellness and Engagement Coordinator
The strength of the human–animal bond can make the loss of an animal profoundly difficult, yet pet loss is not always recognized or supported in the same way as other significant losses. This session examines pet loss and bereavement through a veterinary social work lens, including anticipatory grief, disenfranchised grief, euthanasia, and the many ways people experience and express loss. Participants will also explore the role of empathy and communication in supporting grieving clients, while recognizing the emotional impact that repeated exposure to loss can have on veterinary professionals.
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All events are free and open to the public. For more information (including the meeting links), visit rri.appstate.edu/vet-tech/speaker-series.
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About the Department of Rural Resilience and Innovation
Appalachian State University’s Department of Rural Resilience and Innovation is one of 17 academic departments in the College of Arts and Sciences and serves as a hub for App State faculty, staff, and students working on scholarship, teaching, and service with rural community partners. The department, which launched in summer 2021, is home to App State’s online, four-year Bachelor of Science in veterinary technology degree and offers seed grants to fund research or service-learning class collaborations that address challenges faced by rural American communities. Learn more about the Department of Rural Resilience and Innovation
The Veterinary Technology Program at Appalachian State University
The Veterinary Technology Program at Appalachian State University