OVTAA 2024 Award Recipients

Veterinary Technician of the Year:
Erin Leinheiser, CVT
Bethany Family Pet Clinic

Nominated by Gabe Sasse. – “Erin is one of our Lead CVTs at a busy, 11 DVM practice that is open 7 days a week. She is not only an exceptional technician, but shows an enormous capacity to care for her entire team. Erin’s commitment to creating a psychologically safe work environment alongside gold standard medicine for all is unparalleled.
Erin has extended her training hands and brain power across multiple Oregon clinics, including volunteering her time at PCC and high school events educating potential veterinary industry hopefuls on what it means to be a technician. Most recently, she spent her weekend volunteering her time at a Native American Reservation vaccine clinic in northern WA. She pours her heart into each and every extern that crosses our door, and never says no to a learning opportunity for herself or others. Watching her growth as a clinic leader has been so special, especially having worked with her since she was a baby tech. The Portland vet med community is lucky to have her!”

Veterinary Assistant of the Year:
Jen Elphinstone
Companion Pet Clinic Aloha

Nominated by Magic Rodriquez – “Jen Elphinstone is a valuable member of team Companion Pet Clinic Aloha. She has successfully completed the CPR certification course which helps our patients get top notch care. While at CPC Aloha she has risen to the challenge of many tasks, most notable developing an aftercare keepsake protocol. She has thrived at our practice making sure all aspects of the hospital are and remain in working order. Here’s to you Jen and all that you have done and continue to do!”

Outstanding Service of the Year Award:
Kaila Spencer
Companion Pet Clinic Aloha

Nominated by Leslie Nollette

“Michaela started at our clinic over 5 years ago. She came to us with a strong pharmaceutical background, and no veterinary experience. She quickly developed strong technician skills, as she was dedicated to learning and mastering everything that she was taught. She decided that she needed more influence on patient and customer care. She quickly picked up being a customer service representative. She has been fulfilling this role for 4 years now. She dedicates herself to client’s care and ensuring patients have all of the care and preventative needs available. Almost every client who walks in the door, Michaela knows by name, and for them it’s so humbling that she cares so much. She is always early to work, and will always stay late and go the extra mile. What makes her most unique and special is that a little over a year ago, her son was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at the young age of 6. She was persistent and fought for a newly approved infusion to help prevent further development of this disease. While going through all of this, she remained a strong part of our clinic, and never let the stress of her personal life affect her work at all. This woman deserves this award more than anyone. Her constant passion for animals, service and accuracy of her job makes her second to none. We are so blessed to have her.”