I have been a veterinary technician since 2001 and achieved my certification in 2005. I have worked for the Franklin Lakes Animal hospital as a surgical, admit/recovery, and in hospital technician for over 10 years.
Prior to my animal nursing career, I worked for 8 years as a pottery instructor and studio manager. I went from mucking around with clay to anesthetizing dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, raccoons, you name it, I knocked it out. My initial training….”thrown to the wolves” comes to mind. I pretty much trained in the moment with the help of many great seasoned technicians and doctors guiding me along the way, of whom I now consider family.
I have street cred, no formal schooling, it was sink or swim, so I swam. I have to say that is one of the many reasons why I love working in this field, everyday is a new opportunity to learn, to hone your skills, to be a better technician for the next patient. When I was pregnant and big as a house in 2008, I was given the opportunity to work for Dr. Eric Lindquist for Sonopath.com as a research assistant. He consistently has things brewing on the horizon so I always get to work on new projects as well. It has been a great experience working for Sonopath, it is yet another “family” that I hold dear. I work with some very special people, all with strength, determination, a great love for animals, and an unstoppable drive. By the way a sick sense of humor seems to be a common thread.
My background is Irish/Sicilian and my husband is 100% Cuban; what a combo! We have two children and any number of dogs, a quiet household we are not. My children routinely wake up to bottle baby kittens, goslings, squirrels, and the occasional puppy when they come down for breakfast. Don’t think you will ever take “work” home with you? Ha, think again.
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I attended Gettysburg College for 3 years, and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1982 with a B.S. in psychology (hmm… what to do with that?). I then worked as a research technician at the university, and knew I loved medicine and working with animals, but lab animal science was not for me; nor did becoming a veterinarian really appeal (sorry!)
My career started for me in 1986. My husband and I had moved to North Carolina for his first job. I walked into a clinic with a stray cat that had been hanging around my apartment. The tech asked me if I wanted him checked for feline leukemia. I said – “what’s feline leukemia?” and my new career took off from there. A couple of months later I had a job there as a receptionist, and gradually weedled my way into tech work. In 1995, with the untiring dedication of a lot of amazing people, a new technician program was developed at the local community college. I jumped at that and was a part of the first graduating class of 1997. I became head technician and eventually practice manager at my hospital. In 2001 I moved back home to NJ and joined Andover Animal Hospital as head technician and office manager.
My husband Alan (actually husband #2 and final) and I love to ride our mountain bikes on all of the rail trails we can find, and 30-40 mile rides are not unusual for us; we also love to “go adventuring” – just get in the car and go somewhere we’ve never been for the day, usually involving antiquing /junk shopping /photography /exploring /wineries /whatever. I love to garden and read, and never go anywhere without my kindle. Our 6 cats keep us close to home, and I’m currently “fostering” 4 young kittens we rescued – although it is pretty definite that our 6 will become 8 and possibly 10. ( I hear that 10 qualifies one as a crazy cat lady).
I just recently joined Sonopath and I am so grateful to Dr. Lindquist for giving me the opportunity to explore a different avenue of my career. I was immediately swept up and made to feel an appreciated part of an amazing team, and I look forward to whatever challenges it brings.
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