Sandra has since loved every minute of her career and enjoys being challenged with new ideas and ways of bettering the life of pet owners. We are constantly impressed by how she knows each of our clients by name and their pets certainly know her; Sandra is that comforting familiar smiling face that we all appreciate.
Sandra’s years of experience provides her with the tools to be able to find solutions to everyone’s requests and adds tremendous value to our practice. She has been invaluable in communications with clients, as she is the first point of contact and follow-up in most cases. In Sandra’s words, she “loves animals and she loves people who love their animals”.
Sandra is surrounded by love when she returns home at the end of her day as she is greeted by her cats: Bucky, Sarge and Lord Stanley and let’s remember her black lab.
Sandra is both a friend and neighbour to many of our clients at Bayridge Animal Hospital. Her lifetime of working with vets, pets and people is a huge asset to our clinic. She recognizes the importance of providing everyone with the highest standard of personal attention and we are honoured to have her as part of our care team.
Lisa has been working in vet clinics for 20 plus years, the majority of them as a Veterinary Technician. She is an extremely knowledgeable, diligent, efficient and caring person. Lisa ensures that nothing is left to chance when it comes to the pets in our care. Her main role now has become the main anesthetic, surgery and recovery technician. Lisa undertakes her charge with supreme vigilance and attention to detail. It is such a comfort knowing that she is so serious about the safety of the animals while they are at the clinic. Lisa knows animal behaviour so well that she has taught all of her colleagues what signs to look for when an animal is in pain or distress, and thus she is able to apply any means necessary to relieve this discomfort or pain. Her level of empathy and care for the animals is a force that unites us all and reminds us why we are doing what we are doing.
From a young age, Lisa has always sought out the company of animals and her career at Bayridge Animal Hospital in particular allows her to fulfill this desire as well as her desire to be around like minded people and pet owners. Lisa enjoys working with Drs. that are keen on learning advanced and innovative procedures such as the Tight Rope Cranial Cruciate Repair technique. She is usually the tech that scrubs in to assist with this procedure and knows it almost as well as the surgeon. She also loves using new technologies such as ultrasound, anesthetic monitoring equipment including capnography, digital radiography and state-of-the-art laboratory equipment. Lisa is most versed in pain management techniques and the importance of this.
Lisa’s greatest pleasure in life is spending time with her husband, her Boxer, Cassie and her cat, George; we are fans of them all!
Kim has always been an animal lover; she knew at a very young age that she wanted to work with animals. “There is a quote that sums up why I love my job, when I look into the eyes of an animal, I do not see an animal. I see a living being. I see a friend. I feel a soul. There is something incredibly profound in the human/animal bond. I love sharing the joys of a new puppy or kitten with the clients. I love the nursing side of my job".
At the end of the day Kim and her family are surrounded by their furry companions, Scout and Griffin. Scout, a yellow Labrador retriever, and Griffin, a beautiful domestic short hair orange tabby. Kim loves spending time with her husband and two children at their family cottage on the St. Lawrence River. Kim loves watching her kids play sports’ she is an avid reader and loves to swim and travel.
We are very happy to have Kim’s experience and passion as part of our care team.
“I feel privileged to be a Veterinary Technician. I get to build relationships that are unique to this profession. I share joy in times of happiness, and provide comfort in times of despair. I could not think of a better purpose than that of a Vet Tech. I take pride in knowing that I am making a difference in our furry friend’s lives.”
Where did you go to school?
St. Lawrence College, Kingston, ON
When did you graduate?
2008
How long have you been working?
Since 2009
"I have three cats: Sugar, Cole, and Crisco.
Sugar was first to steal my heart when I was in my 2nd year of Vet Tech. I met him through school at the Kingston Humane Society. He was a scraggly mess with almost no hair from a flea allergy and he also had a bad upper respiratory tract infection. During the time I worked with him he would drool and knead his paws in happiness! I took him home shortly after meeting him and I have now had him for almost 11 years!
Crisco moved in at the same time my boyfriend did. He is appropriately named! He is always hungry and in search for food! He loves to give head butts and steal my spot on the bed!
Cole has been the newest addition to the family, though not that new, he's been around for almost 5 years! He came from the Kingston Humane Society, we had originally went to look at another cat but Cole warmed his way into our heart! He is a bit spoiled in comparison to the other two as he is still the “baby” of the bunch! “
What do you do for fun?
“I have recently re-discovered my artistic side and create what are known as Poseable Art Dolls. It is mainly animals or fantasy creatures that I focus on making. I get to utilize many artistic talents such as sculpting, painting, pattern making, sewing, and so much more! I have shared many of my creations on social media as well have sold a few of my pieces. My FAVOURITE thing to do is just relax at home and watch movies or play video games!”
Working with animals and their human families has inspired Kathleen so much that she decided in fall of 2017 to enter the world of human medicine. She has gone back to school to become a human nurse in addition to her work as a Veterinary Assistant. She feels very privileged to be able to provide care for and form connections with all living beings – human and animal alike.
You will likely find Kathleen spending time with her family in her free time. She shares her home with her husband, a 13 year old beagle named Sadie, a 7 year old calico named Oswin - and this fall they added a new member, a shepherd retriever puppy named Primrose. Kathleen loves to spend time in nature (especially hiking and kayaking) and is very enthusiastic about board game nights with her family.
She first graduated from the Animal Care program at Durham college in 2015. She continued her schooling at St. Lawrence College, Kingston for Veterinary Technology and graduated in April 2020. Sara joined our amazing team that same June. She continues to learn everyday through her peers, online articles, online lectures, and the amazing pets and their owners that visit our clinic.
In her spare time Sara can be seen playing with her 4 cats and 3 pet rats, curled up with a good book, or spending her time outdoors, skating in the winter or going for walks around Kingston.
What interests you the most in your role?
“Ever since I was a child, I have always had a deep love for animals. I believe that they are an important member in each family, and a crucial species to our planet. I take everyday as a learning experience. It truly fascinates me. This field of work is by far the most rewarding, and it is a privilege to be a part it!”
When/where did you graduate? What made you decide to work as a VA?
“Over the years, I’ve had a variety jobs, but my heart was never fully in it. I’ve always had a passion for the welfare of animals. So I decided to become apart of a team that values the lives of animals the same way I do. In 2019, I graduated from the Veterinary Assistant program at St. Lawrence College in Kingston and I’ve been happy with my decision ever since.”
Tasha, what do you do for fun?
“I spend my spare time with my family, boyfriend and friends. My dog, Dallas, is the light of my life, and 95% of the time, he’s always by my side. I am also a huge fan of relaxing at home, binge watching tv shows or having game night. When I feel like getting out of the house, I enjoy visiting the ones I love. When I’m feeling ambitious, I travel. Some of the most memorable destinations for me would be Greece, Costa Rica, and the Philippines. Each hold a special place in my heart.”
Do you do any charity work?
“Each year I participate in the World Wildlife Fund’s Climb for Change charity event. My boyfriend and I travel to Toronto and make a weekend of out it! I climb all 1,776 steps of the CN Tower to raise money for WWF. My fasted climb time on record was 18 minutes and 43 seconds till I reached the top! In addition, I have raised a total of $5,385.00 in the past 4 years thanks to the generosity of my family and friends!”