Rachel
Practice Manager
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Rachel started working here as a receptionist in 2005. She has since become Practice Manager and can be found helping in all areas of the hospital. Rachel was born and raised in the area, and after graduating from high school, she spent some time as a nanny in England. Shortly after returning home, she saw the opportunity to work in a field she loves and hasn't turned back. Rachel and her husband Chad have 2 very energetic and extremely entertaining daughters, Alexa and Liviana. They have recently added Oscar to their family, a spunky French Bulldog.
"Every day is a learning and rewarding experience, there is nothing better than knowing what you do helps our patients live a more comfortable, longer, healthy life!"
Years in Practice: 17
Education: Selkirk College, Business Management Program
Interests: When she's not working, she enjoys family time and watching her girls participate in their extracurricular activities
Ashlyn
Registered Veterinary Technician - Team Lead
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Ashlyn started working here in high school in our student kennel assistant position. She always had an interest in working with animals and has never been able to imagine doing anything else. She applied to us through a work experience class and fell in love with the job. After graduating from Stanley Humphries in 2010, she attended the Thompson Rivers University Veterinary Technology Program. She continued to work here for summers and has returned to us as a full-fledged veterinary technician.
Her job involves patient handling, laboratory work, radiology, surgical assisting, client communication and computer work. She is seen often helping in the exam rooms but spends much of her time behind the scenes caring for your furry and four-legged companions.
Ashlyn has grown up in Castlegar and currently lives with her crazy cats "Chip" and "Tilly".
Years in Practice: 15
Education: Veterinary Technology Program, Thompson Rivers University Class of 2012
Interests: Enjoys spending time with friends at the lake or beach, watching movies, and travelling
Deanne
Veterinary Receptionist
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Deanne has been a part of our team since 2011, and you can always count on her smiling face at our reception desk, or on the other side of your phone call. Deanne believed this would be an interesting job and became intrigued to apply as she was in the middle of moving to Trail from Salmon Arm. She has been married to her husband for 27 years and they have 2 children. Due to a busy schedule with her boys, they have no pets at the current time but can foresee some furry loved ones in the future.
"I can honestly say working here, there is never a dull moment!"
Years in Practice: 11
Education: University of Calgary
Interests: Deanne likes to garden and scrapbook in her very small amount of spare time as well as Embroidery Digitizing. She is also a "Mom Taxi" to every event her children are involved in, being hockey and racing all over North America!!
Steph
Veterinary Receptionist
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Stephanie grew up in the Okanagan but has been in the Kootenays for a little over 10 years! She graduated in the medical field but after years of working with people she wanted a change. Steph's love of animals stems from a lifetime of being surrounded by dogs, cats, horses, bunnies, and everything in between. Together with her husband Clayton, they have adopted some pretty wonderful furry friends. Orion a 7-year-old white pitty, Bailey a 7-year-old red pitty, Prim-rose a 5-year-old black short-haired cat and Truffles a 10-year-old tortoiseshell long-haired cat. Steph has a passion for photography, the outdoors, reading, yoga, and spending time outside.
“I love that every day is different. I haven’t been in the animal care field long but I am excited to keep expanding my knowledge as part of the reception team and behind the scenes! Also being able to connect with the community, our clients, and their furry babies is such a joy!”
Carrie
Veterinary Assistant
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Carrie can be found in all areas of the hospital, from feeding, walking, and caring for boarding/hospitalized patients, assisting with monitoring surgeries, helping to maintain equipment and so much more!
She worked at the Trail BCSPCA for 4 ½ years and decided that she loved working with animals and wanted to further her knowledge on how to keep them healthy and help them when they are not. Carrie grew up in Edmonton and Calgary, AB. She and her husband Ken have been together for over 20 years and married for over 10. They share their home with their recently adopted 10-year-old cat, Monster.
“I love that I see and learn something new every day. Meeting such a large variety of pets and their owners. There is always a new challenge to meet, and the rewards are endless."
Years in Practice: 9
Education: University of Calgary
Interests: Reading, Hiking, Camping
Taylor
Hospital & Patient Care Assistant/Exam Room Assistant
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Taylor joined our team in December 2019 as a Hospital & Patient Care Assistant. With her passion for the veterinary field, and desire to keep learning, she is now trained as an Exam Room assistant and is working on gaining the experience to finish her studies to become a Veterinary Technician.
She knew in high school that animals and science were where she was headed. During her studies, with a concentration in marine biology at Camosun College in Victoria BC, she would constantly look up Veterinary schools and options that surrounded veterinary medicine. She eventually decided to take a leap of faith and make her switch. In pursuing her goal of becoming a veterinary technician, she is currently enrolled in the TRU OL Veterinary Technology Program!! Go Taylor!!
Taylor was born and raised in Castlegar. Together with her high school boyfriend, they adopted a rescue pup named Milly.
"I get to work with amazing animals and the kindest co-workers who are always willing to teach"
Years in Practice: 3
Education: Thompson Rivers University, Camosun College
Interests: Camping, quadding, soccer, bowling, photography and painting
