Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds 2027Anesthesia CE symposium · Ottawa, Canada · June 14–17, 2027
Register$1,125 through Apr 16, 2027 · up to 20.5 RACE CE hours
The symposiumDelta Hotels by Marriott, Ottawa City Centre
Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds!
Tasha McNerney, BS, CVT, VTS (Anes), CVPP
Stephen Niño Cital, RVT, RLAT, SRA, CVPP, VTS-LAM (Res. Anesthesia)
Darci Palmer, BS, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia)
Mike Barletta, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVAA
Dario A. Floriano, DVM, DACVAA
Kristen Messenger, DVM, PhD, DACVCP, DACVAA
Earn up to 20.5 hours (15 hours of lecture, 5.5 hours of labs) of RACE and NYSED-approved CE while experiencing the vibrant capital city of Ottawa, Canada. Set along the picturesque Rideau Canal, Ottawa blends historic landmarks with a lively cultural scene. Explore Parliament Hill, stroll through the ByWard Market, visit world-class museums, and enjoy scenic walking and biking paths along the river. From seasonal festivals to diverse culinary experiences, Ottawa offers a dynamic backdrop to complement your learning.
Four days in JuneTentative Schedule
June 14, 2027
Pre-Conference Mechanical Ventilation Lab: Tasha, Darci, and Erin
2 pm: Check-in for lab attendees only
2:30-5 pm: Vent Lab
6-8:30 pm: Registration and Welcome Reception. Come check-in early, grab your swag bag, check out our sponsors, and say hi to the Nerds!
June 15, 2027
7-8 am: Breakfast/Check-in
8 am – 1 pm: Talks
9:50–10:10 am: Break & Exhibit hall
2-5 pm: Local Blocks Lab
June 16, 2027
7-8 am: Breakfast/Check-in
8 am – 1 pm: Talks
9:50–10:10 am: Break & Exhibit hall
2-5 pm: Local Blocks Lab
6-10 pm: Evening Event Sponsored by JD Medical. Food, & drinks! Bringing a guest?
June 17, 2027
7-8 am: Breakfast/Check-in
8 am – 1 pm: Talks
9:50–10:10 am: Break & Exhibit hall
2-5 pm: Local Blocks Lab
What you get
What’s included, and what isn’t
Included in your registration
- Three days of lectures — 15 hours of RACE-approved CE
- All symposium materials and notes
- Welcome reception, June 14
- Breakfast and check-in each morning
- Six faculty: anesthesia specialists and VTS-credentialed technicians
- RACEtrack CE tracking and your certificate
Optional and separate
- Local Blocks wet lab — $450, choose 5 of 11 blocks
- Mechanical Ventilation pre-conference lab — $400, June 14
- Flights to Ottawa (YOW)
- Your room at the Delta Ottawa City Centre
- Dinners and personal expenses
Hands-on local blocks for veterinary professionalsChoose Your Own Adventure Wet LabLimited seats each day
Course Description:
This hands-on 3-hour wet lab is designed for veterinary professionals who want to confidently incorporate local blocks into their clinical practice. Whether you’re new to local anesthesia or looking to refine your technique, this immersive, small-group lab offers the flexibility and guidance to focus on what matters most to you and your patients.
In a completely customizable format, participants will have the opportunity to choose five local blocks to practice—plus a bonus sixth block if time allows. With access to both landmark-based and ultrasound-guided techniques, you’ll receive individualized instruction at a variety of stations led by experienced instructors.
Want to master the TAP block? Finally nail your epidural technique? Get a handle on every dental block? It’s totally up to you. This “choose your own adventure” approach allows you to focus on the procedures that will have the greatest clinical impact at your hospital, ensuring you leave with both confidence and competence.
Highlights:
- Small group, hands-on learning with expert guidance
- Choose 5 local blocks to focus on, with a potential 6th if time permits
- Blocks available: Dentistry Blocks, Retrobulbar Blocks, Greater Auricular/Auriculotemporal block, Intercostal blocks, US Guided Brachial Plexus, RUMM block, ESP block, TAP (transverse abdominis block), Femoral/Sciatic Block, Sacrococcygeal Epidural, Traditional Epidural
- Techniques covered include landmark-based and ultrasound-guided approaches
- Flexible station format lets you dive deeper into the blocks most relevant to your practice
Come prepared to get hands-on, ask questions, and walk away with skills you can use the very next day.
$450
June 14 · 2:30–5 pmPre-Conference Lab: Mechanical VentilationLimited seats
$400
Course Description:
In this 2.5-hour small-group wet lab, participants will work hands-on with ventilators in real-time scenarios, learning to set up, adjust, and troubleshoot mechanical ventilation in anesthetized veterinary patients. Through guided instruction and case-based exercises, you will cover key concepts such as tidal volume, respiratory rate, pressure settings, and interpretation of capnography and blood gases.
Designed for all experience levels, this supportive, judgment-free lab emphasizes practical learning and real-time problem solving.
You’ll Learn To:
- Set up and understand ventilator components
- Select ventilation modes based on patient needs
- Adjust settings using clinical data
- Recognize and troubleshoot common issues
- Use ETCO₂, SpO₂, and blood gases to guide decisions
With dedicated one-on-one instruction, you will leave with practical skills and confidence to apply mechanical ventilation in everyday anesthesia practice.
RegisterRegistrationEarly-bird ends April 16, 2027
Early bird · on now
$1,125
Through April 16, 2027
Register before the deadline and save $70.
Jet-Setter
$1,195
From April 17, 2027
Same symposium, same seat — booked later.
20.5
Hours of RACE-approved CE if you add both labs
6
Faculty — anesthesia specialists and VTS technicians
Registration covers the three-day symposium (15 CE hours), all materials, breakfast and check-in each morning, the welcome reception on June 14, and RACEtrack CE tracking. The two hands-on labs are optional add-ons: Local Blocks $450 and Mechanical Ventilation $400. Travel and your room are booked separately.
Meet the nerds
Your speakers
Tasha McNerney
BS, CVT, VTS (Anes), CVPP
Tasha is a Certified Veterinary Technician from Pennsylvania where she works as an educational consultant and relief anesthesia technician. Tasha is the founder of the Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds, and also a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner and board member of the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM) to educate the public about animal pain awareness. In fact, Tasha was the thought leader behind the now celebrated “Animal Pain Awareness Month” within the veterinary industry.
Tasha became a veterinary technician specialist in anesthesia in 2015. Tasha loves to lecture on various anesthesia and pain management topics around the globe and was named the VMX 2020 Speaker of the Year.
Tasha has authored numerous articles and textbook chapters on anesthesia and analgesia topics for veterinary professionals and pet parents.
In her spare time, Tasha enjoys reading, spending time with her husband and son, and recording the Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds Podcast.
Darci Palmer
BS, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia)
Darci Palmer has been a credentialed veterinary technician for over 20 years. She obtained her veterinary technician specialty in anesthesia and analgesia in 2006 while working at the Washington State University (WSU) Veterinary Teaching Hospital followed by a position at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. Currently, Darci is at Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine where she is providing both didactic lectures and clinical hands-on training to veterinary students.
In addition to her clinical work, she serves as the Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Anesthesia & Analgesia, Executive Secretary.
Darci’s passion for educating continues outside of the teaching hospital as she has been an instructor for VSPN since 2007, lecturing and writing on the topics of anesthesia and analgesia nationally, and has been teaching a two-module small animal anesthesia course that she created since 2010.
Stephen Niño Cital
RVT, RLAT, SRA, CVPP, VTS-LAM (Res. Anesthesia)
Stephen Niño Cital is a multi-credentialed veterinary technician specialist with a passion for anesthesia, pain management, and cannabinoid medicine. Cital has been on the forefront of cannabinoid medicine and the evolution of pain management in veterinary medicine. He has authored multiple articles and contributed to several textbooks, including acting as the lead editor for the first cannabinoid medicine textbook, titled “Cannabis Therapy in Veterinary Medicine” by Springer Nature. He serves on multiple boards and is a strong advocate for veterinary technician advancement, along with minority representation. Stephen is the COO of the Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds, LLC. He is a lab manager at Stanford University in the department of neurobiology in addition to a clinical pain practitioner and partner at Remedy Veterinary Specialists. More info at www.StephenCital.com.
Dario Floriano
DVM, DACVAA
Dr. Dario Floriano received his veterinary degree from the University of Bologna, School of Veterinary Medicine, Italy. He completed his anesthesia residency at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and became board certified as a Veterinary Anesthesiologist in 2022. Dr. Floriano is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Anesthesia at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. His clinical interests include the management of acute and chronic pain in small and large animals, especially with the use of neuraxial and peripheral loco-regional analgesic techniques.
Michele Barletta
DVM, PhD, MS, DACVAA
Dr. Michele Barletta graduated from the University of Turin, Italy in 2002, where he completed his PhD in veterinary oncology in 2006. He then moved to the United States where he completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Purdue University in 2007. After his internship he stayed at Purdue University for his anesthesiology residency and Master's degree. He worked at the University of Minnesota for three years as Assistant Clinical Professor in anesthesia before joining the University of Georgia in 2013. His clinical interests include pain, critical patient management, and large animal anesthesia.
Kristen Messenger
DVM, PhD, DACVCP, DACVAA
Dr. Kristen Messenger, DVM, PhD, DACVCP, DACVAA, is a board-certified veterinary clinical pharmacologist and anesthesiologist with expertise in drug pharmacokinetics, anesthetic management, and analgesia in companion animals. She serves on the faculty at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, where her work focuses on optimizing drug therapy and improving patient safety through evidence-based approaches. Dr. Messenger is an active educator and researcher, contributing to advancements in veterinary pharmacology and anesthesia through publications, teaching, and continuing education.
June 16 evening event · guests welcomeMeet our sponsors
JD Medical
Sponsor of the Wednesday evening event, June 16.
With over 50 years of experience, JD Medical is a leading manufacturer and distributor of veterinary anesthesia equipment — including the Mindray Veta5, large animal anesthesia machines, oxygen cages, and dental equipment. Based in Phoenix, AZ, they’re known for exceptional post-sales support and custom modifications.
Visit jdmedical.com →Ottawa, CanadaOnce in a lifetime location
Reservation Information:
$285 CAD / nightVetBolus group rate · Delta Hotels by Marriott, Ottawa City Centre
Reservation details to follow soon!
Room rates are subject to prevailing taxes, currently 13% and 6% Municipal Accomodation Tax (MAT). The group rate is available until May 14, 2027. Parking available on-site for $25 CAD/day, $35 CAD/day valet.
Amenities:
- Complimentary high-speed internet
- Mobile Key
- Complimentary access to Fitness Center
- Indoor Pool
- Bicycle Rental
- Children’s Recreation
- Club Lounge (complimentary for Platinum+ Members)
- Wake-Up Calls
- Concierge
- Room Service
- 2 On-Site Restaurants
National Landmarks
- Parliament Hill
- Rideau Canal (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- National War Memorial
Museums & Galleries
- National Gallery of Canada
- Canadian Museum of Nature
- Canadian War Museum
- Ottawa Art Gallery
Parks & Outdoor Spaces
- Major’s Hill Park
- Confederation Park
- Rideau Falls Park
- Arboretum at the Central Experimental Farm
Neighborhoods & Markets
- ByWard Market District
- Sparks Street
- Wellington West / Hintonburg
Historic & Architectural Sites
- Fairmont Château Laurier
- Notre‑Dame Cathedral Basilica
- Laurier House National Historic Site
Waterfront & Scenic Spots
- Ottawa River Pathway
- Dow’s Lake Pavilion
- Nepean Point (views of Parliament & the river)
Ottawa Airport (YOW) to Delta Hotels by Marriott
- Approximately 15 min drive
- Bus, Taxis, Rideshare, Private Transfers available
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
How much CE can I earn?
Fifteen hours across the three days of lectures, all RACE-approved. Add both hands-on labs and you are at up to 20.5 hours. NYSED approval has been submitted for 2027 — we will say so here the moment it is granted.
When does the early-bird price end?
April 16, 2027. Register on or before that date and it is $1,125; after that it is $1,195. The labs are priced separately either way.
Do I have to take a lab?
No. The symposium stands on its own. The Local Blocks lab ($450) lets you pick 5 of 11 blocks, landmark and ultrasound-guided, and the Mechanical Ventilation lab ($400) is a small-group pre-conference session on June 14. Both fill up — if you want one, add it when you register.
Is this for technicians or veterinarians?
Both, genuinely. The faculty is half board-certified anesthesiologists and half VTS-credentialed technicians, and the labs are run judgment-free for every experience level. Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds has always been a room where a first-year tech and a DACVAA end up at the same table.
Where do I stay?
The Delta Hotels by Marriott Ottawa City Centre is the venue — staying on site puts you steps from the lecture room and the reception. Reservation details are in the location section below.
How do I get to Ottawa?
Fly into Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International (YOW), about 20 minutes from downtown. US and international attendees: bring a passport, and check whether you need an eTA to enter Canada.
Does it sell out?
It has, three years running — San Diego, Norfolk and Santa Fe all closed on capacity. Ottawa gives us a much bigger room, but the labs are the pieces that go first.
What if I have to cancel?
Our cancellation policy is at vetbolus.com/cancellation-policy. Email info@vetbolus.com if your plans change and we will work it out.
Two steps to Ottawa
Come nerd out about anesthesia.
Early-bird pricing holds until April 16, 2027, and the hands-on labs are the first thing to fill.
1
Register with VetBolus
$1,125 through April 16. Add the Local Blocks or Mechanical Ventilation lab on the same form.
$1,125 through April 16. Add the Local Blocks or Mechanical Ventilation lab on the same form.
2
Book your room and flights
Stay at the Delta Ottawa City Centre and fly into YOW.
Stay at the Delta Ottawa City Centre and fly into YOW.
RegisterRACE-approved · RACEtrack · up to 20.5 CE hours
Questions? Email info@vetbolus.com — we answer every one.
