Her Story
About Deborah
Deborah Reeder is a respected leader, educator, consultant, and advocate within the equine veterinary profession, bringing more than four decades of experience to the industry. Raised on a working cattle ranch in California’s San Joaquin Valley, her lifelong connection to horses inspired a career dedicated to advancing equine health and veterinary excellence. After becoming a credentialed veterinary technician in 1985, Deborah built a distinguished career focused on equine medicine, education, and professional development. Her passion for the field was strengthened by a personal experience that led her to pursue veterinary technology and ultimately become one of the profession’s most influential champions.
In 2002, Deborah founded the American Association of Equine Veterinary Technicians and Assistants, transforming a vision for greater education, recognition, and support into a global professional organization serving more than 1,500 members worldwide. Throughout her tenure as Executive Director and now Emeritus, she played a pivotal role in developing industry-leading educational initiatives, including the AAEVT Online Certificate Academy, which has trained equine veterinary professionals across North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and beyond. She also contributed to the publication of the AAEVT Equine Nursing Manual for Veterinary Technicians, helped establish specialty pathways in equine veterinary nursing, and has become a sought-after speaker, mentor, and consultant on veterinary team development, leadership, and practice success.
Today, Deborah serves as Executive Director of the Northern California Association of Equine Practitioners and advises veterinary organizations and practices on staff development, technician utilization, strategic planning, and team performance. She remains deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of veterinary professionals and helping organizations build cohesive, high-performing teams. Beyond the veterinary industry, Deborah is also a certified travel advisor and wine ambassador, combining her enthusiasm for education, relationship-building, travel, and fine wine to create meaningful experiences for others. Whether advocating for veterinary professionals, consulting with industry leaders, or fostering new connections, she continues to lead with vision, collaboration, and a passion for lifelong learning.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Deborah
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think because it led to everything else, it was acting on the vision of creating an association just for equine veterinary technicians and assistants back in 2001, 2002. I had no idea what was involved in creating a membership association, creating a nonprofit, creating bylaws, going to the state capitol - I mean, I was a technician, I knew nothing about any of this. But it just really forced me to think outside the box, and I was so focused on bringing that vision to life because I knew there was a need, and I knew it was the right thing to do. What's been most rewarding is carving a path for other technicians and assistants, and showing them what's possible, showing them opportunities. To have them come up to me at an event and thank me - and so many of these people, I know their emails, but I haven't met them in person - that has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this. This all came to fruition in 2023 when the Association of Equine Practitioners, the main veterinary association, as well as the AAEVT, created and designated the Deb Reeder Innovation Award, which is awarded each year to a deserving individual. That just makes my heart overflow with gratitude and thankfulness that there are people that are gonna go on and be acknowledged for what they're doing in this industry as well. It's awarded throughout the industry, not just to a technician, but to anyone in the industry, and it goes on in perpetuity. That's been the crowning glory on top of all of this.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Honor yourself. Stay true to your goals and your vision. The sky is the ceiling, so continue to reach, and don't settle for anything less than what you deserve. Especially in this profession, because it is grounded so much in a passion for animals, we settle for less pay, less respect, less utilization - less than - because we love what we do, and we want so bad to help and contribute. The problem is that diminishes our career and our profession out there in the light of everything, because we do settle for less than, and so people tend to think that we are less than. This is true for so many professions - women tend to do that more, I think.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.