Where are you from and how long have you lived in Vancouver? I am from Tehran, Iran. I immigrated to Canada with my family back in 2008 but moved back to Iran in 2012. And came back to Canada again in Aug of this year.

Why did you choose to become an RVT/VA/CSR? I’ve always loved animals since childhood and since I don’t have any veterinary study, becoming a CSR in an animal hospital was the closest thing for me to being able to be involved in animal care, helping animals and pet owners.

What do you love most about being an RVT/VA/CSR? I think the satisfaction you get from seeing an animal get healed and get well is the best thing about my job.

What advice would you give someone entering emergency veterinary medicine as an RVT/VA/CSR? And what skills are most important? I think if someone wants to work in an emergency animal hospital, it’s very important that he/she can remain calm and functional in a fast-paced environment. Being able to show sympathy and understand the client’s point of view is also important. Some knowledge of medical terminology and medicine could also help.

Tell us about a special animal memory. I once was out of town around Tehran with my wife at his dad’s villa. A stray puppy came to us and lay down on a puddle of water. She looked weak and lethargic. We took her inside the villa and tried to give her some food. Later that day, I noticed that the animal has bloody diarrhea and vomited a few times. She also had a fever. That’s why she was laying in the water, I guess. Called a vet that I knew, and he came to the villa. Long story short, the dog had parvo virous. We were able to treat her and afterwards, she stayed in the villa with two rottweiler dogs my in-laws had there. We called her Rosie. The next year, she gave birth to 10 puppies! And believe me, it was not planned, but I was able to find a home for every one of them and spayed Rosie afterwards. She still lives with the two rottweilers at my in-law’s villa.