Membership Information
We would like to congratulate you on choosing
a career in the Animal Health Technology field, an ever growing,
ever changing profession. With advances in the field of veterinary
medicine, the Animal Health Technologist (AHT) is forever
challenged with learning new techniques and procedures and
with new ways of thinking. Over the years the role of the
AHT has become more varied and more critical in the veterinary
world. Slowly but surely this highly trained professional
is gaining the recognition and respect so long deserved from
both employers and the public alike.
Along with our evolving profession, the Alberta Association
of Animal Health Technologists (AAAHT) has been developing
and changing to meet the needs of today's AHT.
The AAAHT was first conceived in 1978 by a small group of
enterprising AHTs. The original aims of the association were:
To promote professional and educational advancement of
Animal Health Technologists
To enhance the knowledge and skills of the Animal Health
Technologist through continuing education programs
To promote positive legislation and to speak for Animal
Health Technologists in regard to legislative action
To develop and maintain a Code of Ethics and high professional
standards of the Animal Health Technologist
To promote and maintain communication and co-operation
amongst Animal Health Technologists, the veterinary medical
profession, Government and industry
To promote progressive and humane medical care for all
animals
In 1978 membership was only 15. The AAAHT was incorporated
in 1979 and is legislated by the Alberta Government. Today
the AAAHT boasts a membership of over 900 people!
The AAAHT is governed by a Board of Directors consisting
of a President, Vice President/Ombudsman, Secretary, Treasurer,
Membership Director, Public Relations Director, Continuing
Education Director, Disciplinary and Ethics Director and two
Canadian Association of Animal Health Technicians and Technologists
(CAAHTT) Directors. These positions are filled by AHTs who
work on a voluntary basis. Members are elected to the positions
each year at the AGM and serve a term of 2 years. As a thank
you for their hard work and service, each director is given
a yearly $300 allowance for the duration of their term to
be used for such things as membership dues, conference fees,
AAAHT merchandise, etc. Spending time on the Board is a great
way to meet other AHTs, gain valuable experience, and impress
the heck out of future employers! There are also many committees
you can volunteer for or maybe you would like to become the
future editor of the AAAHT newsletter.
A common concern with new AHT grads and even with current
AAAHT members is, why do they have to join? The simple answer
is because it is the law. Just as doctors, nurses and lawyers
must be a part of their respective associations so too must
AHTs be active members of the AAAHT. According to the Alberta
Government, the Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) Veterinary
Professions/Practice Act, General Regulations and the AAAHT's
bylaws, only AHTs who are active members of the AAAHT, and
subsequently registered with the AVMA, may practice veterinary
medicine in the province of Alberta when under the direction
and control of an AVMA registered veterinarian.
So what does that mean for you? It means that we are able to insure
that only qualified and capable professionals are practicing
veterinary medicine. It means that AHTs know that their position
in the veterinary field is an important one and that no one
else is qualified to do their job. It also means that the
AAAHT can create a higher standard for our profession and
that all AHTs receive the respect and recognition that they
are due. The AAAHT works very closely with the AVMA to insure
that members from both our associations abide by our respective
laws and code of ethics. We do encourage all of you to carefully
read through your by- laws when you receive them. We do have
them for good reasons!
Now that all of that serious stuff is out of the way, let
us tell you what the Alberta Association of Animal Health
Technologists can do for you:
We provide you with a newsletter: a source of information,
job postings, national AHT news and upcoming events.
We have a central office. It provides up to the minute
job postings, a fast turnaround time for all your correspondence
including membership applications, a central
hub for members' questions and concerns, a professional
look to our association and many many other things. The Association's Head Office is located at Suite 950 Weber Centre, 5555 Calgary Trail
NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T6H 5P9. Phone: (780) 489-5007; ext. 227.
Fax: (780) 484-8311. E-mail: aaaht@telusplanet.net. AAAHT Website: www.aaaht.com.
Continuing education opportunities: Ours is a constantly
evolving profession and it is necessary to keep on top of
the many changes in the veterinary field. The AAAHT works
very hard to insure our members have the opportunity to
expand their skills and knowledge. We always want to hear
from our members on what you would like to see for future
seminars.
We provide an Ombudsman: if you are experiencing problems
with your employer or with other AHTs or have questions
about ethics and the law, the AAAHT Ombudsman is here to
help you. She can either answer your questions or help you
find the right person to talk to.
The AAAHT is also working very hard to better educate
the public on who we are and what we do. We want the public
to know that their animals, be they pets or livestock, are
in the hands of highly trained and dedicated individuals.
A big step to doing this was the creation of Animal Health
Technologists week, the third week in October. The AAAHT
also sets up information booths at various events around
the province.
The AAAHT provides minutes from all our meetings so that
you may keep well informed on what your association is up
to. I encourage you to read the minutes when you receive
them. The Board always wants member input on the issues
we are dealing with.
Once a year the AAAHT puts on a weekend of seminars and
the Annual General Meeting. It's a good time to let your
hair down and relax, maybe learn a few new things, tour
a great trade fair, and meet new people.
These are only some of the things the AAAHT can do for you.
The more involved you get in your association, the more you
will get out of it. It doesn't take much to get involved.
Write an article for the newsletter, come out to the seminars,
join a committee, or even better, sit on the Board of Directors.
We would just LOVE to have you!
We hope we have answered some questions for you and maybe
even sparked your interest in the AAAHT. We directors would
love to talk to you and answer any questions you may have.
You can get a hold of us through that nifty head office!
As you embark upon your new chosen career, we would like to
wish you well. We hope you find enjoyment and satisfaction!
All the best!
The AAAHT Board of Directors
In Alberta, veterinary medicine is legislated by the government in the document named "Veterinary Professions Act". This act enables veterinarians and, to a limited capacity, registered animal health technologists to practice veterinary medicine. The following will clarify the limitations of a registered AHT under the appropriate supervision guidelines. AHT Practice Guidelines (PDF) Code-of-ethics (PDF) Bylaws
