VMCVM Staff Spotlight: Rachel Elliott
Rachel Elliott
Internal Medicine Veterinary Assistant, Veterinary Teaching Hospital
When did you join the veterinary college?
May 2023
What is your role at the veterinary college?
Internal Medicine Veterinary Assistant
The best part of being at VMCVM...
Getting to see so many unique cases and work with clinicians and LVTs who are so knowledgeable. I learn something new every day!
Best advice I've gotten...
Wake up every day and do what makes you happy.
How would you capture the essence of your work in a newspaper headline?
Amazing medical team saves the lives of dogs and cats with cutting-edge treatments.
My hidden talent...
Baking - I love how much joy I can bring just by sharing delicious treats. Sometimes all you need is a really yummy cookie to put a smile back on your face.
A person who has inspired me...
The main person who inspired me toward a career as a veterinary technician is an LVT I worked with at a low-cost clinic who, despite having numerous patients and limited supplies, always provided excellent and compassionate care to every animal.
Can you share a memorable experience or story from your time working with animals?
It's hard to pick out one single experience but the most memorable and meaningful part of my job is forming bonds with the animals, especially the ones that are scared or aggressive. I love being able to make a connection with the animal and make them feel even a little bit less scared.
What do you find most inspiring or fulfilling about working with students and helping them pursue their careers?
Seeing their excitement when they successfully perform technical skills, whether it be their first jugular blood draw or nasogastric tube placement.
One misconception that all students seem to have is?
That they need to know everything on day one. It's OK to say 'I don't know' - we're here to help them learn.
If I had a superpower, it would be...
Flying. It would be amazing to see the world from a "bird's eye view".
A cause I'm most passionate about...
Providing low-cost veterinary care to help keep animals together with their people and make it possible for shelters and rescues to help as many animals as possible. Low cost doesn't have to mean low-quality - it just means we have to be more creative.
Favorite way to end the day...
Cooking a delicious meal with my husband and eating it together while cozy and comfy on the couch - bonus points if the veggies came from our garden!
Top of my bucket list...
To have a hummingbird land in my hand. I'll have to learn to sit still for long enough!
My favorite quote...
"The world breaks everyone and afterward, many are strong at the broken places." - Ernest Hemingway
If you could communicate with animals for a day, what would you ask them?
I would want to ask them what is the best thing I can do to help them feel less scared when they're at the vet hospital.
How many pets/animals live at home? Can you tell us about them?
I have one dog at home, a pit bull mix named Dani, who is a ball of endless energy and aggressive snuggles. She is such a silly girl whose goofy antics make us laugh every day!
