Where are you from and how long have you live in Vancouver? I am from Ireland and I moved to Vancouver in August 2022.

Why did you choose to become a RVT? I grew up on a farm in the West of Ireland and was lucky enough to have all sorts of pets growing up, from donkeys and ponies to budgies and Guinea pigs. So from a young age I had a great appreciation for looking after and caring for animals. So I couldn’t see myself being anything else other than being a Vet Technician.

What do you love most about being an RVT? I love nursing sick patients and recovering them to the point where they can be reunited with their families. There is no better feeling than bringing a sick pet back from the brink, seeing how they fight, heal and recover. Seeing their little characters come back and their reaction to seeing their families again. I also love the challenge of being a vet tech, from the anaesthetic monitoring during surgeries to running diagnostic lab reports. There is always something new to learn or see.

What advice would you give someone entering emergency vet medicine as an RVT? And what skills are important? Although I haven’t been working in emergency care for that long I would advise being ready to learn. Emergency care is a fast paced, always changing and advancing. You have to be able to adapt, be patient and always do your best for every animal.

Tell us about a special animal memory. I remember my dad bringing home a springer spaniel called Monty, my dad removed him from a tough situation. I remember meeting him for the first time shaking and scared, under weight and malnourished. But what was so special about that situation was the rehab process of building him back up again mentally and physically. We were his people and after a couple of months, we had a totally different dog. So special and the most loving boy.