Where are you from and how long have you lived in Vancouver? Born and raised in Vancouver!

Why did you choose to become an RVT/VA/CSR? The most obvious answer to this question is because of my passion to work with animals. I started in the veterinary field as an assistant and then knew I wanted to develop my skills and so with that, I went to school to become an RVT and loved every bit of it.

What do you love most about being an RVT/VA/CSR? Every “thank you for caring” I get from the owners of our patients reminds me why I love my job. I am proud of myself for all the skills I have acquired and that they continue to grow. Specifically in an emergency hospital, I love that every day is different and that you don’t know what is going to come through the doors next.

What advice would you give someone entering emergency veterinary medicine as an RVT/VA/CSR? And what skills are most important? The advice I would give someone entering emergency vet med as an RVT is to remember to take care of yourself! Sometimes it’s easy to forget about ourselves because we are so focused and dedicated to our patients and our places of work that we forget about balance. It is easy to burn out, so making time and space for the other things that make you happy are very important. Communication skills and compassion are necessary to communicate with clients and co-workers and take care of patients. A positive attitude is always a benefit 

Tell us about a special animal memory. I have many special animal memories but the ones that stick with me the most are when I discharge a patient after they have stayed overnight in the hospital, or even many nights. The excitement from both the owner and the pet when they see each other again, especially when they were so ill when they first came into the hospital, is so heartwarming. To be honest, I probably shed a happy tear every other time.