Our Registered Animal Health Technician Team:
Karen C., AHT
Karen has been a valued member of the Juan de Fuca Veterinary Clinic team since 1987! Having grown up on a mixed farm in rural Saskatchewan, her love of animals was soon apparent and her choice of Animal Health Technology (AHT) as a career was an easy one. Karen graduated from the Kelsey Institute, Saskatoon AHT program in 1977 and has been practicing ever since. In addition to her technical duties, Karen is responisble for ordering all hospital supplies and inventory and is the designated contact for suppliers and drug representatives.
Karen enjoys all aspects of the animal health profession, her special interests include: dentistry, radiology and pathology. The most rewarding situations in the profession for Karen are, "when a pet owner has to leave a pet with us who is sick and needs to be hospitalized, and is then able to come back in a few days and see improvement. The look on the owners face is thanks enough for what we do."
In her personal life, Karen married her long-time fiance, Bob; she was a beautiful bride! Karen enjoys spending her out of clinic time as a home maker, interior deisgner and gardener and is pursuing her physical fitness goals by running, biking, playing tennis and working out at her favorite gym.
Nelly B., AHT, Registered Behavior Technician
Nelly has been the crazy cat tech at our office since 1996. She graduated from Fairview College (Alberta) in 1993, where she met her husband David. They share two wonderful boys, Ben & Matthew, four cats and a dog. Working full-time and raising two energetic boys leaves little personal free time, although she manages to get out and participate in agility training with her Springer Spaniel "Putter".
A crusader for the underdog, she founded and runs the "Smile Fund", our in clinic "charity" for abused and homeless pets in need. Over the years she has rescued hundreds of feral and abandoned kittens. Throughout the year she organizes various fundraisers for this special cause.
Nelly is a member in good standing with the "Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians". She has been studying behavior medicine for more than 8 years, and has more than 300 continuing education hours in this field, including "Dogs Course - Principles and Techniques of Behavior Modification" at Perdue University. Nelly has an extensive library, including client education materials. She hosts weekly puppy socialization classes (Paws in The Right Direction Puppy Classes), and offers individual behavior counselling and modification programs.
Rachelle C., AHT
Nathasha C., AHT
Nathasha graduated from Georgian College in Ontario in 2007, and started with our practice in August 2007. Nathasha has a long history with the clinic; she used to come here as a client when she was younger and her family lived in Victoria. Her current interests cover the entire gamut of veterinary medicine. Nathasha is our "pet weight loss professional" in charge of our Paws In Motion Pet Weight Loss Program. She has had the pleasure of helping our four legged friends get back into a healthy shape.
Nathasha enjoys drawing, painting, poetry and writing. She shares her life with her cats, Elliot, a rescue cat from the SPCA, Peako, Pumpkin and Keitaro who were all adopted from the clinic.
Jen K., AHT
Jen graduated from the Animal Health Technology Program at Thompson River University in 2003. Afterwards she spent three years working and gaining experience in an emergency animal hospital before joining the team at Juan de Fuca Veterinary Clinic in 2006. Jen enjoys all areas of the animal health profession, although her favorite area is nursing care as Jen loved the day to day challenges of the treatment ward.
Jen lives with her husband and their young son, as well as their two dogs and three cats. She enjoys spending her out of clinic time with her family and doing activities such as horse back riding, swimming, hiking and gardening.
Amanda S., AHT
Christina C., AHT
Christina, an AHT graduate of College de Sherbrooke, joined our practice in January 2008. You will find Christina busy here on weekends tending to all our patients with care. Christina has also worked at Wild Arc in Metchosin for the past 3 years as a full-time wildlife rehabilitator. She is currently completing her schooling in Biology and Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria.
In her spare time Christina enjoys fostering kittens, volunteering for various wildlife groups, hiking, camping and travelling.
Kim S., AHT
Kim recently moved from Edmonton with her finacee and is loving her new adventure in Victoria. Kim graduated form NAIT's Animal Health Technology Program in April 2005 and has had a varied career since graduation. Kim has spent the last 2 years in a small animal practice that specialized in traditional and alternative medicine. She has also worked for CAZA approved aquarium and was the curator of reptiles.
Kim lives with her fiancee and her three cats, two tarantulas, green iguana and her goldfish. Kim enjoys shopping at antique stores, reading, karaoke and spending time with friends and family.
Our Reception Team:
Susan K., Hospital Manager/Reception
Susan first joined our practice in 1989 as an Office Administration co-op student. Upon completion of her schooling, Susan stayed on as a full-time receptionist. In her many years with our practice, Susan has formed many friendships with clients and has had the pleasure of watching their families (furry and human) grow up. Susan's duties have expanded to practice management, which include accounting, personnel, customer service and much more. Although Susan is busy behind the scenes, you will find her helping in reception whenever she can.
When she is not at our practice, Susan is busy with her family - husband James and two boys, Curtis and Evan. In her spare time Susan keeps active with fitness classes (read: bossing her friends around in bootcamp!), running and biking and if there is time, battling the weeds in the garden.
Deb S., Reception/Front Office Manager
Deb worked in the hospitality industry for many years before deciding to follow her passion with animals. She began volunteering at a veterinary clinic in Kelowna for 8 months, then returned to Victoria to take a Veterinary Office Assistant program. Graduating at the top of her class, her new career began and she joined our practice in 1999 as a full-time receptionist. Deb is a caring, compassionate and knowledgeable member of our team. As Office Manager, she is there to answer your questions and help in any way she can.
Deb is also interested in canine behavior and training and has completed a Behavior Motivational Training course through Terry Ryan in Sequim, Washington. She hopes to continue her education in this field. She is currently running our monthly Puppy Parties here in the clinic for puppy socialization.
In her spare time she enjoys cuddling with her husband, step daughter and Missy & Marnier the cats. She is active and busy hiking with her 2 dogs, Abby and Buca, doing fitness classes, travelling and painting.
Janice B.
Irene S.
Colleen L-R.
Colleen joined our practice in summer of 2007 as part of our reception team. You can find Colleen here in the evenings and on weekends, answering the phones, prepping files, organizing all the patient reminders and helping our clients. All with a big smile!
At home Colleen is a very busy mom with two energetic young boys. She also enjoys teaching dance, volunteering as a peer counsellor and walking her giant dog Alby!
Adrienne M.
Our Veterinary Assistant Team:
Colleen K.
Collen joined our pratice in 2005, but was originally hired back in 1989. Colleen worked for our hospital for a few years then left to raise her 3 wonderful children. We are lucky to have her back! Colleen can be found in the back helping out, although some of the time you may see her in the front office, exam rooms or on the phones. Colleen makes sure that things are stocked up, food ordered and supplies ready to go. She keeps the clinic tidy, along with assisting our technicians in holding/comforting your pets and helps with x-rays, etc. when required. She strives for perfection and helps maintain the flow of the day to day operations. Colleen continues to learn and update her education, her next goal is to become a pet food counsellor.
In her spare time Colleen likes to relax with her husband of almost 33 years, look after her 5 cats and 1 dog, and paint whenever she gets a chance. She has 3 beautiful grandchildren that she gets to see regularly and is very involved in her church work. "Bless the beasts and the children!" is something she feels called to do and she feels that our practice let's her exercise and use these blessings to help you, our valued clients and your beloved companions.
Ashley, W., (Thompson River University AHT Student)
Ashley joined our practice in summer 2007 as a veterinary assistant. She is kept very busy behind the scenes keeping the exam rooms clean and stocked, helping the technologists with procedures and comforting our patients. If your pet is in for surgery or hospitalization, Ashley is likely the one walking him or her and giving out extra TLC.
Ashley was very excited to be accepted to the Thompson River University Distance Education AHT Program in the fall of 08. The program requires its student to continue working while they complete all their education requirements. Ashley has been busy studying, learning and abosorbing reams of information from our mentor techncians and veterinarians and has passed her first exams with excellent grades! Well done Ashley!
Ashley completed a wildlife internship at Wild Arc (Animal Rehabilitation Centre) and continues to volunteer there in her when she can. In her spare time Ashley enjoys painting, hiking and the outdoors. She and her boyfriend, Marc, have 2 cats and 4 bunnies.
Andrea H.