The association formally launched during the New York Vet Show, with founding chapters across the US and Europe and an agenda built around data standards, responsible AI and evidence.
The Veterinary Technology Association formally launched this week during the New York Vet Show at the Javits Center. The association represents companies developing technology for the veterinary sector, and has been established by veterinary technology entrepreneurs and clinical innovators who believe the sector needs a collective voice in discussions about the future of veterinary medicine.
The launch network spans founding chapters in the eastern and western United States, the UK & Ireland, Central and Eastern Europe and the Nordics. The people behind it include Eddie Holmes, founder of Vets Compared and Vetrics; Dr Christopher Pinard, veterinary oncologist, researcher and founder of ANI.ML Health in Canada; JJ von Oiste, co-founder of Spoodle; Benyam Angeria, who leads the Nordics chapter; and Leszek Wolany, co-founder of HiPets, who leads Central and Eastern Europe. Vetrics and Vets Compared are among the founding member companies.
The founding agenda focuses on three areas identified through discussions between veterinary technology founders and clinical professionals: Data Standards & Interoperability, improving how veterinary systems exchange clinical information securely; Responsible AI, setting practical expectations around validation, transparency and clinical oversight of AI in veterinary medicine; and Evidence & Outcomes, encouraging meaningful evaluation of technology and accountability for claims about clinical benefit.
Eddie Holmes, President of the VTA, said: "Veterinary technology is now an industry in its own right, but we haven't had a collective voice in the conversations that matter to its future. Vets should expect technology that makes their jobs easier, respects their clinical judgement and helps them deliver better care, and as an industry we ought to be able to demonstrate that our products actually do those things. The VTA gives us somewhere to work together on those issues, even where we're competing commercially."
Membership is open to veterinary technology companies from early-stage startups to established international suppliers, and the association welcomes participation from practices, universities, researchers and other organisations with an interest in improving how veterinary technology is developed and used. With the initial chapter network established, the VTA is also looking for people interested in founding and leading chapters in other regions, including Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Southern and Western Europe, and Australia & New Zealand. To join or to talk about a chapter in your region, get in touch at hello@thevta.org.