Danielle Nelson
Fort Collins,CO
Summary
Compassionate Veterinary Assistant known for high productivity and efficiency in task completion. Skilled in animal handling, medication administration, and patient care with ability to maintain calm under pressure. Excel in communication, empathy, and teamwork, ensuring optimal support in fast-paced veterinary environments.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Full Time Veterinary Assistant
VCA Veterinary Specialists of Northern Colorado
09.2024 - Current
- Triage - recognizing respiratory distress, shock, seizures, collapse, and toxicity
- Advance Diagnostics - STAT bloodwork, Blood gas analysis, coat panels, Lactate, blood glucose, blood smears, cytologies, emergency ultrasounds (fast scans), emergency radiographs, 3-syringe draw method
- Critical Nursing skills - IV catheters, drawing blood, Urinary Catheters, managing oxygen cages, mechanical ventilations, advance wound care
- Advance anesthesia & surgery assisting - crash induction and intubation, managing unstable patients under anesthesia
- Emergency procedures - CPR recover guidelines, seizure control and toxin decontamination
- ICU monitoring - multi-parameter monitoring (ECG, BP, SPO2, etc), managing patients on continuous fluids, CRIs and TPN, calculating rates
- Client communication in crisis - discussing critical updates and euthanasia support, handling emotional distressed/grieving clients
- Pharmacy- filling prescriptions
- Cleaning, stocking, and maintaining clinic flow
- Training new incoming personnel
- Training for pack/prep in surgery - maintaining sterility of medical equipment, painting medical equipment, scrubbing in to surgery, painting sterile field, prepping surgical rooms for incoming surgeries
- 40 hrs per week
- Shane Falzon
- Yes you can contact (970) 278-0668
Full Time Veterinary Assistant
VCA Fort Collins Animal Hospital/ Urgent care
07.2023 - 09.2024
- Client Communication & Education - preventative care, vaccines, dental care, taking histories and discussing treatment plans
- Routine procedures - administering vaccinations, nail trims, anal gland expressions, ear cleanings, drawing blood, placing catheters for routine procedures
- Pharmacy- filling prescriptions and preventatives
- Sedation- fear free handling, helping maintain a low stress environment
- Record keeping- updating medical records, maintaining vaccine logs, surgery reports, etc
- Routine nursing care - Proper patient restraint, Basic wound management, geriatric and chronic disease care (diabetic, arthritic)
- Cleaning, stocking, and maintaining clinic flow
- Training new incoming personnel
- Triage - recognizing respiratory distress and toxicity
- Euthanasia support
- CPR training - intubate sternal, lateral, and dorsally, understand emergency protocols, place catheter alone
- Diagnostics - Basic Bloodwork, STAT Bloodwork, radiographs (non-emergent/emergent), hand free radiographs, Urinalysis, fecal exam, Blood Glucose, Blood smears, Urine smears
- 40 hrs per week
- Sheena Castella
- Yes you can contact (970) 204-4567
Part Time Veterinary Assistant
Street Cat Hub Rescue Group
06.2021 - 07.2023
- Prepped high volume number of stray/feral cats for spay/neuter in TNR program to help reduce to feral cat population in the city of Albuquerque
- Pre- OP - prep/administer pre-medication, IM/SQ injections, Drawing blood for pre-labs like snap tests, patient prep: shaving, scrubbing surgical site, expressing bladder, transferring animals to induction site, ear clipping, monitoring for any wounds, preventative care
- Intra-OP - monitoring vitals, adjusting anesthesia levels as needed, surgical assistance: setting up surgical packs, passing instruments to surgeon, maintaining sterility and surgery room flow
- Post- OP -recovery monitoring
- 12 hrs bi weekly
- Jen Wright-Guinther
- Yes you can contact (505) 550- 6491
Full Time Veterinary Assistant
VCA Wyoming Animal Hospital
05.2020 - 07.2023
- Client Communication & Education - preventative care, vaccines, dental care, taking histories and discussing treatment plans
- Routine procedures - administering vaccinations, nail trims, anal gland expressions, ear cleanings, drawing blood, placing catheters for routine procedures, injections SQ/IM/IV
- Diagnostics - Basic Bloodwork, radiographs (non-emergent), hand free radiographs
- Anesthesia/Surgery- assisting with routine surgeries (spay/neuters, mass removals, dentals), monitoring anesthesia/recovering and prepping surgical patients and maintaining sterile fields, maintaining medical equipment
- Assisting with some non routine surgeries: enucleations, amputations, bladder stones, laceration repairs, c-sections
- CPR training - intubate sternal, lateral, and dorsally, understand emergency protocols, place catheter alone
- Pharmacy- filling prescriptions and preventatives
- Record keeping- updating medical records, maintaining vaccine logs, surgery reports, etc
- Routine nursing care - Proper patient restraint, Basic wound management, geriatric and chronic disease care (diabetic, arthritic)
- Euthanasia support
- Cleaning, stocking, and maintaining clinic flow
- Training new incoming personnel
- 40 hrs per week
- Manager James Romero
- Yes you can contact, (505)298-7444
Play Group Supervisor
Arie's DogLand LLC
05.2019 - 08.2020
- Overlooked dogs of all ages and sizes monitoring their behavior and temperaments during play for safety breaking up inappropriate behaviors (mounting, bullying, resource guarding) using positive redirection techniques
- Canine behavior observation - reading dog body language and recognizing stress, fear, aggression, overstimulation, illnesses or fatigue, noting individual behaviors and patterns for communication with staff/owners
- Enrichment and socialization- positive social experiences to build confidence and encouraging basic manners
- Health and hygiene- cleaning accidents promptly and disinfecting appropriately following sanitation protocols to prevent disease transmission
- Communication- daily report cards for clients, communicating issues or concerns to staff/clients
- 30 hrs per week
- Owner Arie Deller
- Yes you can contact (505) 884 -4335
Customer Service Representative
New Mexico Tech Campus Book Store
08.2017 - 03.2020
- Customer Service excellence - clear communication, patience and empathy
- Attention to details- ensuring students get correct editions and materials
- Time management- during busy periods like when semester starts and inventory
- Cash handling and accuracy - working with money and reconciling registers
- Teamwork - collaborating with coworkers, campus staff, vendors
- Technology proficiency - POS systems, inventory software, and online order system
- Adaptability - shifting between tasks, helping with large crowds during rush hour
- Basic conflict resolution- staying professional when customers are stressed of upset
- 18 hrs per week
- Manager-Scott Botko
- Yes you can contact (575) 835-5415
Education
Bachelor of Science - Biology
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Socorro, NMMaster of Science - Biomedical Sciences: Specializing in Animal Anatomical and Physiological Sciences
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, COSkills
- Veterinary Clinical Skills
- Surgical Support
- Diagnostic Proficiency
- Animal Handling & Behavior
- Mentorship & Training
- Medical Record keeping
- Client Communication
- Team Player
- Organization & Efficiency
- Time Management
- Customer Service & Retail
Internships Volunteer Work
- Escola Do Latir Rescue Group, Saõ Paulo, Brazil, Volunteer, 2022-07-05, 2022-07-10, 12, Walking dogs, cleaning cages, and helping with feedings and giving medication as needed.
- Blue Cross Veterinary Clinic, Intern, 2018-05-01, 2018-08-31, 239, Shadowing Veterinarians: Dr. Silvia Rodriguez, Dr. Ashlee Andrews, Dr. Karol Baughman, Dr. Melida Hedberg, Dr. Jamie Philpott, & Dr. Teri Wheeler at Blue Cross clinic (privately owned).
- Animal Haven Veterinary Clinic, Intern, 2017-05-01, 2017-08-31, 45, Shadowing Veterinarian Dr. Dean Wilkinson at his clinic (private owned)
- Kirtland Veterinary Clinic, Intern; Mentor Program, 2012-01-01, 2012-03-31, 12, Shadowing Veterinarian, Dr. Rebecca Rachel at her clinic (private owned)
- Farmington Animal Shelter, Intern; Mentor program, 2012-01-01, 2012-03-31, 10, Shadowing Veterinarian, Dr. Rebecca Rachel at the local shelter (City owned)
- Socorro's 21st Annual Community Arts Party, Volunteer, 2017-02-04, 4, Helping local community by Directed kids through crafts at various booths (City Event)
Awards Achievements Trainings
- Technical Large Animal Rescue Course (February 2024)
- IACUC Training 2023-08-22 to 2026-08-22
- VCA Anesthesia Certified June 2023
- Search and Rescue Helicopter assistance training (Spring 2016)
- Osage Higher Education Scholarship Fall 2015- Spring 2021, Fall 2023
- New Mexico Tech Queens Rugby Clubs Favorite Player Fall 2015
Extracurricular Activities
2024 Shelter Medicine Mini Conference CSU (March 2024) 2022 Colorado Animal Welfare Conference (September 2022) 2022 New Mexico Humane Conference (August 2022) Student Research Symposium at New Mexico Tech (2019) Tri Beta Biology Honors Society Rugby Club President (2016), Volleyball Club, Swing Dance Club American Kennel Club Society (AKC) Member 4-H Member of SilverDollar Club-President (2015), Secretary (2014), & Vice President (2013)
Timeline
Full Time Veterinary Assistant
VCA Veterinary Specialists of Northern Colorado
09.2024 - Current
Full Time Veterinary Assistant
VCA Fort Collins Animal Hospital/ Urgent care
07.2023 - 09.2024
Part Time Veterinary Assistant
Street Cat Hub Rescue Group
06.2021 - 07.2023
Full Time Veterinary Assistant
VCA Wyoming Animal Hospital
05.2020 - 07.2023
Play Group Supervisor
Arie's DogLand LLC
05.2019 - 08.2020
Customer Service Representative
New Mexico Tech Campus Book Store
08.2017 - 03.2020
Bachelor of Science - Biology
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Master of Science - Biomedical Sciences: Specializing in Animal Anatomical and Physiological Sciences
Colorado State University
Similar Profiles
Alexia MartinezAlexia Martinez
ERCC & Oncology Technician Supervisor at VCA California Veterinary SpecialistsERCC & Oncology Technician Supervisor at VCA California Veterinary Specialists
Kelly BileyKelly Biley
Vet Assistant at VCA California Veterinary SpecialistsVet Assistant at VCA California Veterinary Specialists
Cassie Jackson RVTg, VTS (ECC)Cassie Jackson RVTg, VTS (ECC)
Registered Veterinary Technician Specialist–Emergency/Critical Care Supervisor at VCA California Veterinary SpecialistsRegistered Veterinary Technician Specialist–Emergency/Critical Care Supervisor at VCA California Veterinary Specialists
Ashlyn MurrayAshlyn Murray
Nanny at Various FamiliesNanny at Various Families
Brett MarkhamBrett Markham
Amazon Delivery Associate at Special Projects Group LLCAmazon Delivery Associate at Special Projects Group LLC