How did you start working in veterinary medicine?
I'm Maddie, one of the registered veterinary technicians here at Catawba Heights Animal Hospital. I have worked here since September 2021.
Before that, I worked at Stanford Animals, located between Charlotte and Pineville, as an assistant. I helped with high-volume spay and neuter days as well as quick wellness visits.
After starting here, I decided to go to school because I really wanted to become licensed. I wanted to be more involved with surgery and have a deeper role in appointments. I graduated from school and am now a Registered Veterinary Technician!
What does being Fear Free Certified mean?
During school, I became Fear Free Certified and have maintained that certification. This means we take extra care to reduce stress for pets during their visits. We move slower, handle them more carefully, and when necessary, use medications to help them feel more at ease.
What other experience do you have?
I also worked at Urgent Vet in a fast-paced setting. While they use Fear Free practices, you don’t really get the continuation of care like you do in general practice. I enjoy getting to know my patients and clients, which is why I decided to stay in general practice.
Tell us about your pets!
I personally bring my pets here. I have two dogs—Bear and Freya. Freya is a Husky, and Bear is a Shepherd mix. I also have a cat named Possum Bob, who is a total mama’s boy. Additionally, I have a frog and a gecko named Tanjiro and Fu. I really enjoy my cold-blooded pets too!