Animals have always been an important part of my life.  I grew up in New Hampshire and started working as a veterinary assistant as a junior in high school.  I learned the necessary job skills quickly and became a technician shortly after graduating from high school.  I began working overnight shifts with our emergency doctor and our head emergency technician and found that the critical cases were the most interesting to work with.  As our hospital expanded, I also spent time working in the ICU and on the surgical team.  After spending 5 years with that hospital, I decided to move to northern California to continue with my education.  I started attending Humboldt State University and started working as a veterinary technician at a nearby veterinary clinic.  I enjoyed my time there but decided to move to San Diego to pursue a better job opportunity in 2007.  I began working in the ICU at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital learning the advanced techniques needed to work with the critical cases.  I decided that in addition to working with the critical care patients, I also wanted to continue my skills at a private veterinary practice.  I began working at the Point Loma Veterinary Clinic in September 2008.  I was promoted to a supervisor position at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital where I continue to work on weekends.  I'm currently enrolled in classes at San Diego State University pursuing a BA degree.  I have one dog, "Sammy," and two cats, "Flipper" and "Penny."  My dog is a wire-haired Viszla with lots of energy.  I go to the dog park almost everyday and try to take him hiking as often as possible.  He loves to go camping as well.  My two cats are rescues from previous hospitals I have worked at and they spend all of their time on my patio watching birds.