The AAVSB Announces Recipient of the 2025 VTNE Celebrating Diversity Award

Overland Park, KS (May 15, 2025)- The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2025 VTNE Celebrating Diversity Award. Congratulations to Taja Miller, a third-year student entering her final semester of the Vermillion Veterinary Technician program. 

The Veterinary Technician National Examination® Celebrating Diversity Award is presented to one graduating veterinary technology/nursing minority student who has been traditionally underrepresented in the veterinary technician profession. The award recipient is selected based on their commitment to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion, and treating everyone with respect and dignity.

Taja is a first-generation college student who grew up living on a Native American reservation with her family including eight younger siblings. Though they struggled financially, Taja has fond memories of her childhood learning about traditional Native American beliefs and practices where she often spent summers “dancing at pow wows, picking blueberries in the woods, making traditional crafts such as moccasins, beadwork, dreamcatchers and ribbon skirts.”

“I was always encouraged to go to college but never took it seriously; the idea of getting a degree seemed unrealistic when I knew that I would have to provide for myself as soon as I was able to start working.” - Taja Miller

Her interest in pursuing a career in veterinary medicine was sparked while helping care for her late grandmother’s elderly Yorkie, Bella, who was recovering from surgery. While cleaning up the older dog, Taja’s mother playfully referred to her as, “my little vet tech.” During her research about the education required to become a veterinary technician, the spark grew into a flame and Taja was soon enrolled at Minnesota North College. 

In the summer of 2004, Taja started volunteering for organizations that provide veterinary care to reservations, starting with Leech Lake Legacy, an organization on her home reservation. She has also been involved with Student Initiative for Reservation Veterinary Services (SIRVS), an organization run by veterinary students from the University of Minnesota. Her volunteer experience at Leech Lake Legacy was especially rewarding noting, “several community members expressed that having a familiar face and shared culture made it easier for them to trust in the care their pets were receiving.”

I have a special interest in emergency medicine for small animals and wildlife rehabilitation. Everything in Vet med sounds so fun and interesting to me! - Taja Miller 
 
Currently, Taja is the only Native American student in her program at Minnesota North College. She recently applied to be a member of Natives in VetMed, which she describes as, “an organization that strives to enhance Indigenous representation in Veterinary medicine.” Taja looks forward to representing her culture as she continues to walk the path toward degree completion. 

When asked what she would say to someone who wanted to pursue higher education despite their financial constraints Taja replied, “If there's something that you really want to achieve, nothing can stop you from achieving it if you're willing to do the work. And don't be afraid to ask for help! There are many programs that can help with financial support. Talking to teachers or counselors at school can help connect you to all kinds of resources.” 

Join us in congratulating Taja on receiving the VTNE Celebrating Diversity Award! 

Learn more by going to our VTNE Awards page. 

For any questions, contact: [email protected]

About the AAVSB: The AAVSB is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to strengthen the veterinary regulatory community. The membership of the AAVSB consists of 63 jurisdictions representing all of the United States and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and ten Canadian provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.