As someone in veterinary medicine, you know that emergencies don't follow a schedule. That puppy with leptospirosis comes in on a Friday at 4:55 pm. The hit-by-car patient arrives during your busiest appointment block. The question isn't if an emergency will happen—it's whether your team will be ready when it does.

That's why I'm excited to present an ER Stabilization course at our new PetOne Veterinary Training Center. From mastering triage protocols to confidently placing emergency IV catheters, this hands-on session will transform how your veterinary technician or veterinary assistant approaches urgent cases.

Think you're ready for whatever walks through your door? Take this quick quiz and discover where your emergency skills stand.

How did you score?

• 4-5 correct: You're well-prepared for emergency situations! You understand prioritization and have solid clinical instincts.

• 2-3 correct: You have good foundational knowledge but would benefit from hands-on emergency training to build confidence.

• 0-1 correct: Emergency medicine might feel overwhelming right now - and that's exactly why courses at our PetOne Veterinary Training Center exist!

Remember: Emergency skills aren't built overnight. They develop through education, practice, and experience. Every expert was once a beginner who felt their heart racing during their first critical case.

More about Dr. Stephenson:

Dr. Shannon Stephenson is an emergency veterinarian and Senior Medical Success Manager for NVA. After attending the University College Dublin Ireland to obtain her veterinary degree, she dedicated ten years of her career to emergency medicine. She transitioned to a full-time relief emergency vet in 2021 at specialty ER practices in Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina before joining NVA last May. She has a strong interest in emergency triage, feline urethral obstruction, and metabolic emergencies. Outside of work, the adrenaline junkie in her continues to seek out adventures, including scuba diving, mountain trekking, visiting haunted places, and traveling as often as possible.