VMCVM Staff Spotlight: Carrie Keatley
Carrie Keatley
Clinical Pathology Technologist, ViTALS
When did you join the veterinary college?
I began working for ViTALS in November 2022.
What is your role at the veterinary college?
I’m a clinical pathology technologist in ViTALS. My coworkers and I handle a wide range of lab testing, including chemistry, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, fluid analysis, and blood banking.
The best part of being at VMCVM...
My coworkers are the best part of my job! I love getting to learn from so many wise and talented people in ViTALS. I always feel supported and encouraged.
Best advice I've gotten...
The best advice I’ve received is to avoid an all-or-nothing mindset. Partial or slow progress is still progress!
How would you capture the essence of your work in a newspaper headline?
“From samples to paw-sitive outcomes: advancing animal health through diagnostics”
My hidden talent...
I can fall asleep usually within 3-5 minutes of my head hitting a pillow.
A person who has inspired me...
My husband, Case, inspires me everyday! He pushes me to be the best person I can be and is always encouraging me to try new things, especially if it’s just for fun.
Can you share a memorable experience or story from your time working with animals?
While I don’t work directly with animals, I love getting to support clinicians, technicians, and students as they care for animals in our area. I also love when patients are able to swing by the lab to say hi - it truly makes my day!
What do you find most inspiring or fulfilling about working with students and helping them pursue their careers?
While I don’t work with many students, I love getting to know our clinical pathology AHTs. Getting to know them and learning from them is one of the best parts of my job! I love getting to witness their professional growth and watching them become confident in their skills. It also makes me very proud when they’re able to troubleshoot and conquer instrument alarms and quality control failures.
One misconception that all students seem to have is?
I would say some students assume that I know a lot about veterinary medicine. I worked in human medicine prior to starting this job and had very little knowledge of animal health when I began working with ViTALS.. I’m always learning something new and grateful to learn from such wonderful teachers at the VMCVM.
If I had a superpower, it would be...
I would love to be able to travel back in time! I would also love to be able to create a force field around our gardens to prevent the deer from eating all of our veggies and flowers.
If you could magically grant an animal the ability to talk, which one would you choose and what do you think it would say?
I would love to ask Ringo the Patrol Pony how he handles his work-life balance. He seems like a busy guy.
A cause I'm most passionate about...
I’m passionate about food insecurity. I’m grateful for the organizations working to reduce food insecurity here in the NRV. Everyone should have access to healthy food options!
Favorite way to end the day...
My ideal evening is sitting in my porch swing with a big bowl of ice cream and a good book while my husband plays one of his many instruments.
Top of my bucket list...
My husband and I are hoping to check off all of the national parks together!
My favorite quote...
“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities” - Albus Dumbledore (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets)
If you could communicate with animals for a day, what would you ask them?
I would love to ask my cat, Smokey, what grieves her as she loafs on my couch and stares at me in judgment.
How many pets/animals live at home? Can you tell us about them?
We have three cats - Augie, Smokey, and Sunny. Augie is curious and energetic. He’s usually the instigator of mischief. Smokey, a gray domestic shorthair, is timid but very loving. We call her our professional loafer. She loves her ears scratched, but if you cross the line with one pet too many, she’ll give you the cold shoulder for the rest of the day. Sunny is our six-month-old orange tabby. He’s extremely food-driven and once managed to eat an entire avocado while we were asleep (thankfully, no trip to the VTH was needed). We woke up to him rolling the avocado pit around on the kitchen floor. Despite his antics, he makes up for it with endless snuggles.
Anything else to add?
I really love my job and am grateful to be a part of the VMCVM’s mission!
