NORRISTOWN, Pa. (October 17, 2025) — Elmwood Park Zoo, in partnership with Zoetis, proudly hosted its inaugural Veterinary Technician Summit on Wednesday, October 15, as part of National Veterinary Technician Week. The event brought together 60 second-year veterinary technology students from Manor College, Harcum College, and Camden County Community College for a full day of education, collaboration, and hands-on experiences at the Zoo.
Held inside the Zoo’s Canopy Gardens Hall and Frank & Paige Engro Veterinary Health Center, the summit highlighted the critical role that veterinary technicians play in animal care and explored the variety of career opportunities across veterinary medicine. Students engaged in panel discussions, toured the Zoo’s animal hospital, and heard from leading experts in the field, including representatives from academia, EPZ animal care, and the pharmaceutical industry.
“Veterinary technicians are critical players in the success of the veterinary health care team,” said Laura Clark, DVM, PhD, Global Medical Affairs at Zoetis, and Elmwood Park Zoo Board Member, whose idea it was to organize this event. “This summit provided students with a real-world view of the diverse career paths available to them—from zoo medicine and specialty practice to research and industry.”
The program featured a dynamic panel on alternate careers in veterinary medicine, moderated by Alyssa Mages, BS, CVT, Chief Visionary Officer of Empowering Veterinary Teams and featuring:
– Kourtney Conti, BS, CVT, Elmwood Park Zoo
– Bailey Donovan, BS, CVT, University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine
– Chelsea Geiringer, BS, CVT, Zoetis Veterinary Medical Information & Product Support (VMIPS)
Following the panel, Michele Goodman, VMD, Elmwood Park Zoo’s Director of Animal Care, along with additional Animal Care Staff, led students on an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Zoo’s medical facilities and discussed the day-to-day realities of working in the field of zoological veterinary medicine. The afternoon concluded with a Lunch & Learn presented by Jodi Koch, VMD, Professional Services Veterinarian of Zoetis, exploring the emerging science of monoclonal antibodies and their applications in animal health.
“This event not only celebrates veterinary technicians but also reinforces our commitment to education, innovation, and professional development within the animal care community,” said Goodman. “We were thrilled to see so many passionate students connect, learn, and imagine their future in this vital field.”
In addition to educational programming, attendees networked with local veterinary leaders and toured the Zoo’s animal exhibits, rounding out a day of learning and inspiration.
Elmwood Park Zoo and Zoetis plan to continue the Vet Tech Summit as an annual event, further strengthening ties between veterinary programs and veterinary professionals.
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About Elmwood Park Zoo
Elmwood Park Zoo was established in 1924 when a local farmer transferred 16 acres and a small menagerie to the Borough of Norristown. Today, the Zoo is owned and operated by the Norristown Zoological Society, a non-profit organization whose mission is to foster an appreciation for wildlife and the environment that will inspire active participation in conservation. Under the Society’s careful management, Elmwood Park Zoo has attained elite status as one of only 230 institutions accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
About Zoetis
As the world’s leading animal health company, Zoetis is driven by a singular purpose: to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals. After innovating ways to predict, prevent, detect, and treat animal illness for more than 70 years, Zoetis continues to stand by those raising and caring for animals worldwide – from veterinarians and pet owners to livestock producers. The company’s leading portfolio and pipeline of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and technologies make a difference in over 100 countries. A Fortune 500 company, Zoetis generated revenue of $9.3 billion in 2024 with approximately 13,800 employees. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com.