AAEVT Anesthesia Society

** A Society is a group of individuals who have a common interest and passion for a topic or field of study. It does not have the capability to credential. It can offer RACE approved CE, certificates of completion, and it can offer criteria for required study should a member wish to receive recognition of completion or distinction. By being a member you are not required to achieve this more advanced level.

Any member of the AAEVT who wants to expand their  skill and knowledge in the area of Equine Anesthesia can become a member of the Anesthesia Society!

The AAEVT Anesthesia Society’s Mission is:

• To advance the education and professional recognition of AAEVT members who strive for excellence in and dedication to providing superior anesthesia care to the patient.

The Society’s Objectives are to:

• Promote and establish levels of education and experience prerequisites leading to recognized as “qualified with distinction” in equine veterinary anesthesia.
• Provide mentorship, instruction, scientific and hands on wet lab/presentations, resources and other contributions to knowledge relating to equine veterinary anesthesia.
• Educate the equine veterinary profession and industry on the value of progressive education and qualified equine veterinary technician/assistant in equine veterinary anesthesia and the employment of these individuals.
• Educate the public on the benefit of the contributions of an AAEVT Equine Veterinary Anesthesia Society member in performing anesthesia in the equine practice.
• Promote the continuing education of and dissemination of knowledge relating to the equine veterinary anesthetist.

Elevate your anesthesia skills and gain AAEVT recognition for distinction in equine veterinary anesthesia!

AAEVT Member Technician & Assistants may apply for the Anesthesia Skills Verification Exam (ASVE) to demonstrate advanced knowledge in safe, humane, and scientifically sound anesthesia techniques. Successful candidates showcase their commitment to the highest standards of equine patient care and become recognized as “qualified with distinction” in the field of Equine Veterinary Anesthesia.

Please note: This exam does not qualify as, nor substitute for, VTS-AVTAA (Veterinary Technician Specialist – Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Anesthesia & Analgesia) certification and does not qualify members as licensed, certified, registered, etc. by the various states, AVMA or NAVTA.

Step 1: Accumulate Experience and Continuing Education

• Accumulate a minimum of 5,000 hours (3-years) of hands-on experience in equine veterinary anesthesia, within the last three (3) years prior to submitting your application package.
• Completion of an AAEVT-approved anesthesia training program or documented fifteen (15) CE hours at an AAEVT Anesthesia Society Meeting, current within the last two years immediately prior to submitting the application. AAEVT Anesthesia Society Meetings will be posted under the Events page on the AAEVT website.

Step 2: Provide Documentary Evidence of Advanced Competence in Equine Veterinary Anesthesia

• Submit a minimum of five (5) acceptable case reports demonstrating management of the equine patient from peri-anesthetic to under anesthesia, mastery of advanced veterinary equine anesthesia skills, and reflecting a broad spectrum of case types. Examples include: special procedures, ophthalmic anesthetic protocols, anesthesia for Advanced Imaging modalities (eg. MRI’s), emergency anesthesia, unique protocols for Foals/Donkeys/Mules/Zebras/Mustangs, etc.
  • Of the five (5) required case reports, three (3) may be of any American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classifications. The remaining two (2) case reports must be for patients with a 4-5 ASA status. 
• Each case report should include specific patient details and a summary of anesthesia techniques and procedures performed (*being sensitive to confidential information; keeping it in a scientific professional manner), including:
  • Date
  • Anesthetist Name
  • Patient identification
  • Species/breed
  • Age/sex/weight
  • ASA status
  • History
  • Veterinary diagnosis- reason for presentation for anesthesia
  • Pre-anesthetic procedures
  • Anticipated anesthesia problems
  • Summary of equine veterinary anesthesia techniques & procedures performed by the applicant on the patient, (induction, monitoring, maintenance, complications & recovery).
  • Post anesthetic procedures performed
  • Length of care
  • Final outcome
  • Copy of anesthetics record (ECG printouts, pictures and tables may be included)
• A Sample Case Report may be found HERE

Step 3: Obtain Letters of Recommendation

• Obtain two (2) letters of recommendation from eligible individuals: an AAEVT Anesthesia Society Instructor, a VTS-EVN, or a veterinarian who is an AAEP member or a veterinary Diplomat from the ACVS or ACVAA, currently employed in equine practice.

Step 4: Submit Application Package

• Applications are accepted from June through September of the year the exam is to be taken.
• Ensure your annual membership with both the American Association of Equine Veterinary Technicians (AAEVT) and the AAEVT Anesthesia Society are current.
• Compile all of the required components into a zipped folder:
  • AAEVT Anesthesia Society Skills Verification Application Form
  • Record of Employment History & Anesthesia Hours
  • Continuing Education Record
  • Case Report x5
  • Letters of Recommendation x2
• All components must be in a zip file and emailed to the Anesthesia Society Chair Person [Lindsey Schoelen, LVMT: lschoelen@aaevt.org] to begin the verification exam process.

Step 5: Review and Examination

• Once received, your application package will be reviewed for approval. You will receive notification within thirty days (30) of receipt of your application.
• Once reviewed, and if accepted, you will receive an invoice for the $100.00 Application Fee to be paid online. Note that your application fee must be paid in full before you will be scheduled to sit for your in-person exam.
• In-person ASVE Exams are held each year at the Annual AAEVT/AAEP Conference and will be scheduled with you directly by the Anesthesia Society Chair or Co-Chair.
• Exam Format – The ASVE consists of two main components to evaluate both theoretical knowledge and practical skills:

To maintain ASVE achievement status, professionals must:

• Maintain current AAEVT and AAEVT Anesthesia Society annual memberships;
• Attend one (1) AAEVT Anesthesia Society CE Meeting annually;
• Pass a renewal verbal assessment with Anesthesia Society Chair & Co-Chair every three (3) years and prepare three (3) questions, complete with answers, for future ASVE exams along with a renewal fee of $50.00.

For more information about the AAEVT Anesthesia Society, please contact our Executive Director, Wiss Costanza: wcostanza@aaevt.org  (254) 255-1143

Please direct any questions regarding the AAEVT Anesthesia Society Skills Verification Exam to either of our AAEVT Anesthesia Society Co-Chairs:
Lindsey Schoelen  lschoelen@aaevt.org
Travis Otremba  totremba@aaevt.org