What is a Registered Veterinary Technician? (RVT)
An RVT is someone who has attended and completed a formal veterinary technology program that is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. These programs are highly intensive college-level programs taught by educators who hold licensure as veterinarians or RVT's. Students attend classes for two years before graduating with an Associate of Science degree. Upon completion of the program, the applicant must then take and pass the State Regulatory Exam and Veterinary Technician National Exam.
RVT's who received their registration before 1996 may not have attended a formal veterinary technology program, but already held a degree in a related field. These RVT's were also required to take and pass the State and National Exams.
All RVT's in the state of Texas are registered with and overseen by the Texas Veterinary Medical Association.
Kristen Cline, R.V.T
Kristen has been with Farrell Animal Hospital for 13 years.
Kristen grew up in Wichita Falls. She received her Bachelors in Education from Midwestern State University and moved to the metroplex to teach seventh grade math in Duncanville in 1994. She began working as a veterinary assistant part-time while still teaching, and eventually quit teaching to work in the veterinary field full-time. In August, 1998, Kristen began working at Farrell Animal Hospital and went back to school at Cedar Valley College. She received an Associates degree in Veterinary Technology and became a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) in August, 2000. Kristen lives in Arlington with her dogs- Skippy, Teddy, and Zero; and her two cats Captain and Vince. In her spare time she trains and competes with her horses, Casanova (her long-time dream), Honey (her very beautiful rescue), and Reese (her ex-race horse) in dressage competitions.
Heather Barton, R.V.T
Heather has been with Farrell Animal Hospital for 18 years.
Heather was born in Ft. Worth, Texas. She graduated from Lamar High School in Arlington, and attended Texas Tech University where she received her Bachelors degree in Zoology in 1988. She worked in the veterinary field for several years before beginning work at Farrell Animal Hospital in February 1994. Heather became a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) in June 1995. She lives in Arlington with her two dogs Ulysses and Dobbs, and her cat Kaleb. In her spare time Heather plays competitive soccer on numerous teams throughout the metroplex. (She's really good!)
Desiree' Alvarez, Customer Care Manager
Desiree has been at Farrell for just over 4 years. She was born in Miami, Florida, grew up in Fort Worth, and attended Trinity Valley High School. Desiree is very involved with her family and is the very proud mama of a beautiful little girl. (She's ADORABLE!) Desiree has no spare time, but spends a lot of time changing diapers, doing baby laundry, and getting up in the middle of the night to feed the baby.
Dana Dorsey, Veterinary Assistant
Dana has been at Farrell since March, 2009. Dana was born in North Richland Hills, Texas. She grew up in Arlington, and graduated from Martin High School in 2005. Dana and her husband live in their new house in Fort Worth with their 2 dogs Spike and Purdy, and their 2 ferrets Stinky and Bear. In her spare time, Dana watches lots of movies, bakes lots of goodies, and plays ball with Spike while Purdy herds him. (He loves his red ball!!)
Sarah Jane Whinery, Veterinary Assistant
Sarah Jane grew up in Arlington and graduated from Martin High School in 2004. She received her Bachelors degree in Biology from Texas A&M in 2010. She has worked as a technician for veterinary hospitals in Arlington for a total of 5 years. Sadly, she is planning to work in human medicine and become a Physician's Assistant, but she wanted a few more years of caring for your four legged friends. Sarah Jane is a harpist, artist, and horse-lover who lives in Arlington with her boyfriend Zach and her snake, Esteban (ssssss...).
Robyn Lowke, Receptionist
Robyn joined the Farrell team in March of 2011. She was born and raised in Arlington and graduated from Lamar HS in 2004. She recently graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches with a BS in Hospitality and hopes to go back to school to become a pastry chef sometime in the future. For now, she spends her time away from Farrell with her oh-so-cute 2 year old son and her dog Cora. She is also an up-and-coming Mary Kay Independant Beauty Consultant. What a busy girl!
Tina Miller- Receptionist
Tina is our newest addition to the Farrell team. She started working for us right after Thanksgiving, 2011 and is new to the veterinary world. She was born in Syracuse, New York, moved to Arlington when she was 7, and graduated from Arlington HS in 1999. Tina is currently working on a Veterinary Technician degree from Pen Foster. In her spare time she is Mom to her 2 kids (10 and 5 years old), her 6 dogs, and her 3 cats. She enjoys movie nights with her kids and weekends at the dog park. Welcome Tina!
Debbie Ortman, Certified Pet Stylist
Debbie is our veteran! Debbie has been with Farrell Animal Hospital in various capacities for 29 years!!! WOW!
Debbie grew up in Abilene, Texas. She went to Cisco Junior College on a music scholarship. Debbie started working at Farrell Animal Hospital in 1978 for Dr. J.M. Farrell and stayed with Farrell Animal Hospital as Office Manager for twenty years. She left Farrell for a short time to attend grooming school and received her Pet Stylist certification in August 2000. In September 2000 Debbie established The Pet Salon and returned to Farrell to groom. Debbie lives in Watauga with her husband of thirty years. They have three children and three beautiful grand daughters. In her spare time Debbie collects antiques and flow blue. She also enjoys some singing and baking on the side. Debbie now is operating out of our sister business The Pet Resort In the Gardens. Visit their website at www.petresortinthegardens.com or visit them on Facebook.