Where are you from and how long have you lived in Vancouver? I am originally from a small town near Niagara Falls, Ontario and moved to Port Coquitlam in the summer of 2020. In 2021 I moved to North Vancouver and I have been with Mountainside since the move.

Why did you choose to become an RVT/VA/CSR? I chose to become a VA because I absolutely love animals and providing them with the best possible medical care. I have such a profound admiration for veterinary care, I have recently decided to expand my knowledge by undertaking veterinary technician school whilst working here at Mountainside.

What do you love most about being RVT/VA/CSR? My favourite part about being a VA is seeing through our treatment plans. From the initial consultation to necessary diagnostics, I’m there for emotional and medical support for our patients. It can be difficult and disheartening to see our patients come in hurt or sick, but being able to assist our doctors until discharge is a special process I never take for granted.

What advice would you give someone entering emergency veterinary medicine as an RVT/VA/CSR? And what skills are most important? My advice for someone new to the veterinary field would be empathy first. Empathy for our patients, fellow staff members, and yourself. Veterinary care is a challenging field, full of highs and lows, and empathy will be incredibly helpful in dealing with the many hardships. Another helpful piece of advice for someone looking to join our field, is the ability to be a proactive self-starter. Being able to foresee what the medical team needs is so beneficial to our patients. Time is of the essence is vet care, and understanding this is crucial.

Tell us about a special animal memory My special animal memory came in 2017 when I rescued my chihuahua, Winnie. Winnie was brought to the Toronto Humane Society from California. When I saw her little picture on their website I knew I wanted to foster her. It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with her quirky charm, and as it often happens, fostering turned into adopting. We’ve been together for 5 years now, and she is absolutely loving being back on the West Coast.