VMCVM Staff Spotlight: Shaun-Claire Young
Shaun-Claire Young
Licensed Veterinary Technician, Dermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital
When did you join the veterinary college?
I began my career at the VTH in September of 2013 as an LVT at the VTH's Roanoke satellite clinic.
I came to main campus in September 2017 as an ICU LVT, then moved to floater LVT, and currently Dermatology LVT.
The best part of being at VMCVM...
The community. Everyone comes together anytime anyone or a pet is in need. Everyone is passionate about patient care and owner experience.
Best advice I've gotten...
At my parents house there is a quote over our back door: "Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better", Samuel Beckett. You can't let the small things get you down, keep moving forward, every day is a new day to try again.
How would you capture the essence of your work in a newspaper headline?
"What's That Smell?"
A person who has inspired me...
Everyone has a story, everyday is a new chance to be inspired by an experience, pet, or person.
Can you share a memorable experience or story from your time working with animals?
Watching patients recover from horrible skin or ear infections. Seeing their personalities change because they are feeling better.
What do you find most inspiring or fulfilling about working with students and helping them pursue their careers?
Watching students be successful at something they thought they couldn't do is the best part about my job.
One misconception that all students seem to have is?
Dermatology is gross. It can be, but it is also a good knowledge base to have, especially for those going into regular practice.
If I had a superpower, it would be...
The "cure all" pill that every pet owner asks for.
If you could magically grant an animal the ability to talk, which one would you choose and what do you think it would say?
Sea turtle. That we need to be better about human waste.
A cause I'm most passionate about...
Patient care.
Favorite way to end the day...
Hot tea and a good book.
Top of my bucket list...
Travel to Scotland.
My favorite quote...
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
If you could communicate with animals for a day, what would you ask them?
What hurts?
How many pets/animals live at home? Can you tell us about them?
Duke, he is an Australian Cobberdog. Full of personality.
Anything else to add?
Family is the heart of everything I do. My son Jackson and I love to travel, explore new foods/music, puzzles, and snow sports.
