Melissa Ives
San Jose,CA
Summary
I have been working in the Animal Care field since I was 15. While first volunteering at HSSV's pet store and standing in as the receptionist for HSSV's groomer when there was one, I went on to work for dog/cat daycare with board and groom.
I have now officially been at HSSV for a little over 5 years as an Animal Care Technician and have enhanced my skills along the way.
I also spent a little over a year as an Adoption Counselor in the Adoption Department. While in that department, I spent some time providing additional support to our Medical Center. There I checked in and out clients through Vetter while sending home metacam after s/n surgeries along with other basic protocol meds.
On the side, I foster medical/TLC cases and provide neonatal care to bottle babies. I also volunteer at our mobile spay/neuter clinic doing impound/discharge.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Veterinary Technician
Acadia Veterinary Clinic
Cupertino, CA
02.2024 - Current
- Improve patient care by assisting veterinarian in diagnosing and treating animals.
- Enhance client satisfaction by providing compassionate care for pets during their appointments.
- Conduct diagnostic tests such as blood work, x-rays, to aid in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
- Maintain clean examination rooms, equipment, and kennels to ensure a safe and sanitary environment for both patients and staff members.
- Put together/wrap packs/pouches. Making sure all instuments have been cleaned, lubed, and ran through ultrasonic prior to sealing, then load packs/pouches properly in to the steam sterilizer.
- Educate clients on preventive care measures such as vaccination schedules, heartworm prevention, flea/tick control, dental hygiene, and nutrition guidelines.
- Schedule appointments efficiently while prioritizing urgent cases appropriately based on severity of symptoms presented by pets.
- Place appropriate sized cones on patients.
- Monitor post-operative recovery processes closely to detect any complications early enough for prompt intervention.
- Record symptoms and document medical observations to inform treatment decisions.
- Hold for IVC placement.
- Monitor anesthesia and assist where needed for dentals and surgeries.
- Remove IVC and wrap with vet wrap.
- Make sure patient is cleaned up and presentable for pick-up.
- Hold for venipuncture (jugular, cephalic, and saphenous).
- Assist with euthanasia.
- Interact with clients regarding animal health, questions and concerns, education on treatment protocol and general procedures.
- Assist with ultrasounds.
- Shoot radiographs.
- Scale and polish teeth in both canines and felines.
- Vaccinate pets with accurate time frames for their age, and based off of health.
- Put together medical background for first time patients.
- Collect and send out fecal, urine, and blood samples to lab, call owner's with results.
- Ear cleanings.
- Forward clients and other clinics medical records at request.
- Go over invoices and take payment.
Animal Care Technician
Humane Society Silicon Valley
Milpitas, CA
12.2018 - 02.2024
- Monitor for changes in animals condition/QOL.
- Wear appropriate PPE to help prevent/contain the spread of disease and virus.
- Follow correct cleaning protocols and help control odors/the spread of sickness and disease.
- Restrain animals safely during procedures.
- Set up appropriate rooms and areas to house incoming and onsight animals.
- Collect and label samples.
- Document animals' weights and types of enrichment.
- Administer IM, IP, IV, SC injections.
- Familiar with giving oral medications and flea treatment.
- Follow instructions for dietary needs and medication regimens while helping build the best plan of action.
- Monitor animals for behavioral problems and signs of health issues.
- Provide appropriate enrichment windows and leave-alone outlets.
Adoption Counselor
Humane Society Silicon Valley
Milpitas, CA
08.2020 - 01.2022
Kennel Attendant
A Pet Villa
Santa Clara, CA
05.2017 - 11.2018
Receptionist
Spots Pets Daycare And Boarding
Santa Clara, CA
05.2013 - 01.2017
Education
High School Diploma -
Westmont High School
Campbell, CA11.2010
West Valley College
Saratoga, CAAssociate of Science - Veterinary Technology
Ashworth College
2025
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Skills
Driven
Compassionate
Problem Solving
Team Player
who catches on to new things quickly
& finds comfort in fast paced, unpredictable, atmospheric work place
Timeline
Veterinary Technician
Acadia Veterinary Clinic
02.2024 - Current
Adoption Counselor
Humane Society Silicon Valley
08.2020 - 01.2022
Animal Care Technician
Humane Society Silicon Valley
12.2018 - 02.2024
Kennel Attendant
A Pet Villa
05.2017 - 11.2018
Receptionist
Spots Pets Daycare And Boarding
05.2013 - 01.2017
High School Diploma -
Westmont High School
West Valley College
Associate of Science - Veterinary Technology
Ashworth College
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