Corey thoroughly enjoys working with people of all shooting experience and training backgrounds to help them develop a more fundamentally sound knowledge of their firearm and how to use it to its maximum potential. He loves the opportunity to be part of an individual’s development and strives to shine a positive light on the firearms industry as a whole with the experience he helps provide.

Corey served a total of 15 years between military and security contractor operations overseas. He spent four years as a Marine Corps Scout Sniper with the 3rd Battalion 1st Marines completing two deployments to Iraq.

Mike instructs to help people of all backgrounds and professions become more capable with a firearm so they can enjoy their favorite pastime more or perform their duties in their job better and with more confidence. He seizes the opportunity to connect to students on a personal level, tailor the training towards their individual needs, and inject a little fun.

Mike worked as a security contractor in support of US interests in Iraq and currently works as a Tactical Paramedic for a local law enforcement agency in addition to his role as an instructor at Vortex Edge. When he manages to find free time, he competes in USPSA matches in the Carry Optics division.

Justin is a 10-year military veteran who served eight years with the 10th Special Forces Group, serving as a Weapons Sergeant on an SFOD-A team where he conducted a wide variety of duties, including weapons training, unconventional warfare, direct action, special reconnaissance, and foreign internal defense missions.

Justin also served as both a Special Forces sniper and sniper instructor, conducting training in advanced long-range marksmanship and sniper operations for the 10th SFG(A). Justin has multiple deployments to Eastern Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

Pete has previously served in law enforcement, as a deputy sheriff, and in the military—completing tours in Kosovo and Iraq as an infantryman with the US Army’s 10th Mountain Division. Pete first learned to shoot in the Boy Scouts and, as an early adopter of the pistol-mounted optic, is a highly competitive USPSA shooter in the carry optics division.

30-minute Lecture • .5 scientific credits

Welcome to Vortex Edge! During the opening session, attendees will learn about Vortex Optics before instructors begin discussing firearm safety. With many instructors being past police force or military, they’ll cover traveling with a firearm in your veterinary truck, keeping it safe in your clinic, limitations you should know before deciding to carry, and what to expect on the ranges and in the shoot house. This session is required for all participants prior to the hands-on range time or darting practice.

20-minute Lecture • .5 scientific credits

There are a number of options to consider when adding remote drug delivery to your toolkit. This lecture will cover different methods and present some of the pros and cons of each (e.g., darting pistols versus rifles and CO2 vs. gunpowder). Additionally, dart assembly and loading will be discussed.

Mary Thurber, DVM, DACZM, is the veterinarian for the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, WI. She’s a board-certified specialist in zoological medicine and an Honorary Clinical Instructor of Zoological Medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Stanford University and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the UW SVM. She did a small animal internship at the University of Tennessee. She completed her residency in Zoological Medicine at the University of California-Davis and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Following her residency training, Dr. Thurber worked at the Oakland Zoo before moving back to Madison, where she worked for the UW Vet School Zoological Medicine Service for several years before working full-time for the Henry Vilas Zoo.

50-minute Lecture • 1.2 scientific credits

Local antimicrobial delivery offers targeted therapy while minimizing systemic side effects and keeping costs low, making it a valuable tool in large-animal medicine. This session will explore various methods for local drug administration, including regional limb perfusion, intra-articular injections, impregnated carriers, and more. We’ll discuss the pharmacologic principles behind these techniques, their clinical applications, and the benefits of achieving high local drug concentrations. Attendees will gain practical insights into optimizing antimicrobial therapy for challenging infections in equine and food animal patients.

Paul Merkatoris, DVM, DACCS–LA, is a board-certified large animal surgeon who graduated from UW-Madison SVM, completed a large animal medicine and surgery internship, and a residency at Iowa State University in large animal surgery. Dr. Merkatoris was faculty at ISU for one year and has been large animal surgery faculty at UW SVM since 2021.

50-minute Lecture • 1.2 scientific credits

Euthanasia is a sensitive yet necessary topic that can offer additional complexities when working with large animals. Many veterinarians find themselves searching for alternatives as the widely used drug, pentobarbital, is in short supply, and its use is discouraged in some jurisdictions. This lecture will break down alternative euthanasia methods currently available for veterinarians working with large animals.

Howard Ketover, DVM, is the co-founder of Wisconsin Large Animal Emergency Response, a non-profit 501c(3) organization that brings large animal technical rescue training to Animal Control Officers, Fire Fighters, Law Enforcement, Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians. In addition, he has worked closely with multiple mounted law enforcement agencies to bring emergency rescue principles, including firearm euthanasia strategies for large animals, to the departments. In 2014, Dr. Ketover worked with clinicians from the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary to develop a five-day Large Animal Rescue and Patient Management course that instructs 20 veterinary students annually. With the university’s assistance, he continues to bring emergency animal training and response opportunities to veterinary students. Dr. Ketover is an ambulatory practitioner in Madison, Wisconsin, a past president of the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association and the Wisconsin Equine Practitioners Association. He founded Irongate Equine Clinic, a four-doctor equine exclusive practice, in 2008.

25-minute Lecture • .5 scientific credits

You’ve learned about the different darting options, how to load a dart, and how to safely fire a pistol or rifle. Now, let’s explore unique scenarios where you might need to use remote drug administration. From sedation to vaccines to antibiotics, remote drug delivery may be your technique of choice. 

Becky Johnson, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVAA, obtained her DVM degree from the Ohio State University in 1993, completed a residency and MS degree at the University of Wisconsin, and became board-certified in Veterinary Anesthesiology and Pain Management in 1997. In 2002, she completed a PhD in Respiratory Neurophysiology. She’s currently the Research Anesthesiologist and a Clinical Professor of Anesthesia and Pain Management at the University of Wisconsin’s School of Veterinary Medicine. Her interests include advances in anesthetic and analgesic techniques of laboratory animal species and the effects of opioid and non-opioid analgesics on the gastrointestinal and respiratory systems of companion animals.

Paul Merkatoris, DVM, DACCS–LA, is a board-certified large animal surgeon who graduated from UW-Madison SVM, completed a large animal medicine and surgery internship, and a residency at Iowa State University in large animal surgery. Dr. Merkatoris was faculty at ISU for one year and has been large animal surgery faculty at UW SVM since 2021.

20-minutes • .5 scientific credits

This is your chance to dive deeper, ask follow-up questions, and hear expert perspectives on everything from firearms and darting techniques to large animal fieldwork and veterinary protocols. Don’t miss this opportunity to get answers directly from the day’s speakers and trainers.