2023 Executive Board Members

Veterinary Technicians play many roles, but Joy Thompson believes that the most important role is being a voice for the voiceless. Throughout her veterinary career, Joy has worked in

shelter medicine, emergency medicine, and small animal private practice, and volunteered with

area wildlife rehabilitation centers. Seven years ago, she realized her dream of working in zoo

medicine and is currently employed as a Technician at the Detroit Zoo. She loves the challenge of working with a wide array of species, often in a single day, and the opportunity it provides to continually learn something new. She has a special interest in Great Apes and otters, and loves to share her passion for zoo medicine with others. Joy holds a Bachelor's degree in

Communications from University of Michigan – Dearborn and received her Associate of Applied

Science in Veterinary Technology from Wayne County Community College. In her spare time,

Joy enjoys live music, reading, birding, kayaking, cross stitch, and spending time with her

husband, two beagles, and special needs cats.

presidentmavt@gmail.com

There’s never been a time in my life I could see myself not working or being a part of veterinary medicine. I started college at GVSU in their Pre-Vet Program, when I was home doing summer classes at MCC I discovered the veterinary technician program. As I became more aware as to what a vet tech was and their job responsibilities, I decided that was what I was passionate about. I graduated from the Macomb Community College Veterinary Technician Program in 2018. I started my career in a specialty hospital working in the Surgery, Emergency, and Internal Medicine departments. In April of 2022 I left clinical practice and am currently working as a technician recruiter. My current role allows me to make connections with veterinary technicians nationwide, go to state and national conferences, travel to veterinary technician programs to present trivia, RACE presentations as well as give advice about my experience in the veterinary field. I am a certified fear free, BLS/ALS Rescuer, and a BLS/ALS RECOVER instructor. I am a mom to the most wonderful boy, but I am obligated to say that! 😉 My hobbies including being a bookworm, a photographer, and an outdoorsy person. I volunteer with a local animal rescue and have had 38 fosters since 2020. I am so excited to be apart of the MAVT and support our profession which is more important now than ever! 

My name is Carol Hudecek, and I am happy to fill the member-at-large position for the Michigan Association of Veterinary Technicians. I grew up on a farm in Indiana and have had a love for animals my entire life. I was a 10 year 4-H member and raised rabbits. I have been a credentialed Veterinary Technician since 2008 and moved to Michigan in 2009. Since then I have worked in small animal practice and taught anesthesia/surgery labs in the Veterinary Technology Program at Baker College in Jackson from 2012-2020. In 2022 I left clinic life to pursue a wonderful opportunity with Vetamac Anesthesia. I know have the privilege of going into veterinary clinics and research facilities all over Michigan and servicing/repairing anesthesia machines, troubleshooting anesthetic cases, and helping new build/renovation designs and equipment purchases. It has been a wonderful opportunity to meet doctors and technicians throughout the state. It is rewarding to help with their immediate anesthesia needs/problems and connect with colleagues in my profession.  

As Veterinary Technicians we have a unique opportunity every day to improve people’s lives by improving the life of their pet and strengthening the human-animal bond. It is something to be extremely proud of, however, many times technicians feel unappreciated in this industry. It is my desire that this position will help me to be an advocate for Veterinary Technicians throughout the state.

I decided to pursue Veterinary Technology following an education and a 25 year career as a professional musician. I continue to teach private voice and piano lessons at my husband’s established Music Academy, but my passion shifted dramatically after graduating from the Macomb Community College Veterinary Technician Program in 2011. I had the opportunity to learn a diverse set of skills while working in Veterinary Hospitals and ended up working as a practice manager/ LVT for a Mobile Veterinary Practice. My love for working closely with pets and pet parents progressed into a special interest in geriatric patients. I became certified in Animal Hospice and Palliative Care and work as an Animal Hospice Consultant and Technician for pet parents seeking the best quality of life for their aging pets. I have come full circle and have had the honor of working with Macomb Community College Veterinary Technician students as a lab assistant in the Vet Tech Program. I am also looking forward to assisting the large animal classes this fall at the Bower’s School Farm. I was at the farm this summer teaching the Veterinary Science Camp, spreading enthusiasm to young people about the veterinary profession. When I’m not helping others with their pets, I am busy hanging out with my 3 adult children and caring for my own pets; including my 2 dogs (Pumpkin and Oliver), cat (Bagheera) guinea pig (Spike) and two fresh water fish tanks. At home, I enjoy working in my gardens, recording music and together with my daughter, I am working on an autobiography about life as a family brought together through adoption. 

I have spent most of my career in veterinary medicine, 27 years to be exact! I earned my A.A. S. and B.A.S degree in Veterinary Technology  from St. Petersburg college. Most of my background was in a wonderful private practice in which I gained experience in general preventative care, emergency medicine, orthopedics, neonatal care, reproduction, and management skills. Though a wonderful experience, three years ago I transferred to shelter medicine and now community veterinary medicine. I recently became Human Animal Bond Certified and am currently working on my Pet Loss Grief Support Specialist Certification.  I have a huge passion for people and pets and believe in helping to keep pets in loving homes so all can experience the joy and compassion pets bring into our lives. Veterinary technicians play a huge role in preserving the human animal bond through their skills, education, and compassion for animals. 

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my husband and two boys. We share our home with two dogs (Cleo and Bella) and two cats (Lightning and Bernard). I also enjoy continuing my education, hiking, reading and being outdoors.