Colin St. Dennis
Candia,NH
Summary
Responsible and dedicated animal care professional with proven abilities in cleaning cages and managing supplies. Meets animal needs with compassion and love for every creatures. Offers excellent time management, multitasking and organizational skills.
Experienced Aquarist with background in maintaining healthy aquatic environments, caring for diverse species of marine life, and providing educational information to public audiences. Strengths include knowledge of aquarium systems and habitats, ability to diagnose and treat illnesses in aquatic animals, and skills in communicating complex scientific concepts to lay audiences. Previous work has led to improved animal health, more engaging visitor experiences, and successful conservation efforts.
Creative and skilled Craft Artist with experience in designing and producing unique, handmade items using various materials and techniques. Possess strong ability to conceptualize and bring ideas to life, enhancing aesthetic appeal and functionality of products. Demonstrated success in improving production processes to increase efficiency and quality of finished goods. Adapt at collaborating with clients to meet custom requests, resulting in increased customer satisfaction and repeat business.
Hardworking employee with customer service, multitasking, and time management abilities. Devoted to giving every customer a positive and memorable experience.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
2015
2015
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Veterinary Assistant
Hearthstone Veterinary Hospital
Saratoga Springs, New York
03.2022 - 08.2025
- Assisted veterinarians during examinations and surgical procedures.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of animal care areas.
- Handled patient records and ensured accurate data entry.
- Supported pet owners with care instructions and medication guidance.
- Monitored animal behavior and reported concerns to veterinary staff.
- Prepared surgical instruments and assisted in their sterilization process.
- Educated clients about preventative care and health maintenance for pets.
- Gathered specimens such as urine, blood and fecal samples for laboratory analysis.
- Restrained animals during examination or treatment procedures using appropriate techniques according to species size and temperament.
- Administered vaccinations, medications and treatments as prescribed by the veterinarian.
- Dispensed medications orally or topically as directed by veterinarian.
- Cleaned and sterilized exam rooms between appointments.
- Answered phone inquiries from clients regarding appointment scheduling, services offered.
- Monitored vital signs of hospitalized animals including temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate and other parameters as necessary.
- Provided emotional support to pet owners during difficult times.
- Released patients to owners with care directions from veterinary staff.
- Trained new veterinary staff on office procedures and requirements.
- Assisted doctors and technicians by soothing upset or frightened animals.
- Supported euthanasia procedures and disposal following regulations and owner preferences.
Joann Fabrics and Crafts
Associate
Queensbury, New York
06.2022 - 10.2022
- Promoted high customer satisfaction by resolving problems with knowledgeable and friendly service.
- Provided excellent service and attention to customers when face-to-face or through phone conversations.
- Worked with cross-functional teams to achieve goals.
- Approached customers and engaged in conversation through use of effective interpersonal and people skills.
- Exceeded customer satisfaction by finding creative solutions to problems.
- Recognized by management for providing exceptional customer service.
- Achieved cost-savings by developing functional solutions to problems.
- Cashier
- Cut fabric
- Planograms
- Stocked shelves
- Unloaded the truck on delivery days
Break Order Filler
Ace Hardware Distribution Center
Gansevoort, NY
02.2022 - 07.2022
- Responsibilities included: filling orders for retail stores, put hazard labels on totes, housekeeping for assigned aisles.
- Picked and packed orders accurately for timely distribution to retailers.
- Implemented best practices for handling hazardous materials safely during operations.
- Prepared products for packaging and shipping according to company specifications.
- Received orders and prepared them for shipment by selecting items from shelves, packing boxes, labeling, and loading onto delivery trucks.
Fabric Coordinator
Joann Fabrics and Crafts
Portland, ME
11.2020 - 01.2022
- Responsibilities included: cutting fabric, setting planograms and fabric flow, unloading freight, cashier, picking ship from store and curbside orders. Packing ship from store orders. Customer service, training new employees.
- Assisted customers with product selection and provided expert guidance on crafting techniques.
- Developed promotional displays to highlight seasonal products and improve sales visibility.
- Trained new team members on store policies, procedures, and customer service standards.
- Implemented efficient store layout changes to enhance customer shopping experience and accessibility.
Kitchen Worker
Texas Roadhouse
Scarborough, ME
04.2020 - 11.2020
- Responsibilities include: Cleaning restrooms, dishwasher, portioning food.
- Assisted chefs with food preparation and ingredient organization for efficient service.
- Stocked inventory supplies and managed freshness of ingredients in storage areas.
- Followed portion control guidelines to minimize waste during meal preparation.
- Cleaned and sanitized work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, and silverware.
- Maintained inventory of supplies and restocked shelves as necessary.
- Cleaned utensils, dishes, and glasses for customer use.
- Stored perishable food items in freezer or refrigerator to protect from spoilage.
- Disposed of waste materials in accordance with established procedures.
Aquarium Technician
New England Aquarium Services
Biddeford, ME
08.2017 - 03.2020
- Responsibilities include: Maintaining aquariums both freshwater and marine, acclimating fish, regulating water quality, break down and set up systems, aqua scaping tanks.
- Maintained aquarium systems through regular inspections and preventive maintenance.
- Assisted in the setup and breakdown of aquatic exhibits and displays.
- Monitored water quality parameters using standard testing methods and equipment.
- Collaborated with team members to troubleshoot mechanical issues in aquarium systems.
- Educated visitors on marine life and conservation efforts during public presentations.
- Utilized specialized tools for cleaning and maintaining aquatic environments effectively.
- Managed quality control and maintained high level of customer satisfaction.
- Followed safety practices to safeguard against injury and damage to property.
- Tested and calibrated instruments to ensure accuracy and reliability of data.
- Completed scheduled appointments on time to drive quality service.
- Adjusted, connected, or disconnected wiring, piping and tubing to complete repairs and installations.
- Kept records of parts and equipment used in projects to update inventory.
Lab Lead
University of New England Marine Science Center
Biddeford, ME
08.2014 - 05.2018
- Responsibilities include: assisting and leading students in the lab, feeding fish, cleaning tanks, making salt water, checking salinity, maintaining water quality parameters, keeping the lab clean, and teaching new students how to raise fry.
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
- Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish service goals.
- Maintained updated knowledge through continuing education and advanced training.
- Utilized advanced technical skills and expertise to troubleshoot complex problems and implement solutions.
Associate Produce, Bakery
Hannaford
Biddeford, ME
08.2014 - 01.2018
- Responsibilities include: Cut fruit, closing the department at night and stocking the sales floor. Bagging Bread, cookies, french twists, brownies, Baking Muffins, decorating cookie cakes and brownies, closing the department at night and stocking the sales floor.
- Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish service goals.
- Identified needs of customers promptly and efficiently.
- Approached customers and engaged in conversation through use of effective interpersonal and people skills.
- Maintained updated knowledge through continuing education and advanced training.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Aquaculture and Aquarium Science, Marine Biology
University of New England
Biddeford, ME 08.2014 - 05/2018
Schuylerville Central High School
Schuylerville, NYSkills
- Surgical assistance
- Patient monitoring
- Record management
- Animal restraint
- Medication administration
- Client education
- Equipment sterilization
- Customer relationship management
- Problem solving
- Effective communication
- Emotional support
- Employee training
- Reception duties
- Euthanasia assistance
- Patient restraint
- Tick removal
- Vaccine administration
- Pre-anesthetic preparation
- Animal grooming
- Animal nutrition
- Appointment scheduling
- Cleaning and sanitizing
- Post operative care
- Anesthesia monitoring
- Preventative medicine
- Sample collection
- Self motivation
- Supply ordering and restocking
- Water quality management
- Aquascaping techniques
- Aquatic system maintenance
- Species acclimation
- Veterinary assistance
- Inventory control
- Time management
- Aquarium system maintenance
- Fish health assessment
- Quarantine procedures
- Live food cultivation
- Life support systems operation
- Animal transport coordination
- Animal husbandry techniques
- Filtration systems
- Chemical testing
- Feeding and nutrition
- Equipment disinfection
- Organizational skills
- Set appointments
Accomplishments
- Vice President, AALSO Club, UNE
- Presented a poster on seahorses, 2016 AALSO conference in Colorado
- Awarded level 1 AALSO certification, With the highest score from UNE that year
- Certified and completed training in IACUC, Working with fish as well as working with IACUC
- Dean's List, Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Spring 2017
- Nominated for the UNE Department of Biology Award, For Outstanding Student in Aquaculture and Aquarium Sciences
Extracurricular Activities
Aquarium Club, Member, 2014-2018 AALSO Club, Vice President, Attended the 2016 conference in Colorado, presented a poster on seahorses Outing Club, Member, 2014 Knitwits, President, 2014-2018
Timeline
Joann Fabrics and Crafts
Associate
06.2022 - 10.2022
Veterinary Assistant
Hearthstone Veterinary Hospital
03.2022 - 08.2025
Break Order Filler
Ace Hardware Distribution Center
02.2022 - 07.2022
Fabric Coordinator
Joann Fabrics and Crafts
11.2020 - 01.2022
Kitchen Worker
Texas Roadhouse
04.2020 - 11.2020
Aquarium Technician
New England Aquarium Services
08.2017 - 03.2020
Bachelor of Science - Aquaculture and Aquarium Science, Marine Biology
University of New England
08.2014 - 05/2018
Lab Lead
University of New England Marine Science Center
08.2014 - 05.2018
Associate Produce, Bakery
Hannaford
08.2014 - 01.2018
Schuylerville Central High School