Nelson Tapia Rico
Anaheim,CA
Summary
Experienced with hands-on experience in animal care, medical procedures, and client communication. Strong focus on teamwork, adaptability, and achieving tangible results in fast-paced environments. Skilled in administering medications, assisting in surgeries, and maintaining accurate medical records. Reliable and flexible, consistently meeting dynamic needs of veterinary practices.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Student Teacher Assistant
Education Department
Cerritos, California
06.2022 - 08.2022
- Assisted teachers with classroom management and document coordination to maintain positive learning environment.
- Tutored struggling students individually and in small groups to reinforce learning concepts.
- Supported classroom activities, tutoring, and reviewing work.
- Partnered with teacher to plan and implement lessons following school's curriculum, goals, and objectives.
- Completed daily reports on attendance and disciplinary performance.
- Maintained safety and security by overseeing students in recess environments.
- Helped with grading assignments and tests, providing constructive feedback to students based on results.
- Mentored and tutored individual students needing additional help.
Vivarium Intern
Animal Science Department
01.2023 - 05.2023
- Analyzed problems and worked with teams to develop solutions.
- Checked on the health of the animals
- Fed and gave animals water when needed
- Cleaned enclosures
- Gave tours to other schools, which consisted of taking out some of the reptiles and amphibians we have and showing them to students. While we give them facts about the animals
- Researching about the different kinds of reptiles and amphibians we have.
- Handling reptiles regularly to keep them social and use to human.
- Apply medication to any animal that was injured
- Clean and keep a sanitized work
Student Assistant Animal Caretaker
Cal Poly Pomona University
Pomona, California
08.2023 - 08.2025
- Handling and caring for venomous reptiles
- Daily health check of over 50 animals
- Rodent feeding
- Insect and greens feeding
- Water changes
- Enclosure cleaning
- Giving tours to other university students and showing them how to handle reptiles
- Completed special projects assigned by supervisors within specified deadlines while balancing regular duties effectively.
- Giving medications and injections to reptiles
- Weighting and monitoring sick animals
- Managing the facilities Instagram account
- Caring for endangered species like axolotls, Gila monsters, and Mojave Desert tortoise
- Handling a variety of different snakes, lizards, turtles, amphibians, and tortoises
- Training other students on how to do different tasks
Veterinary Assistant Intern
Animal Medical Center of Orange
Orange, California
01.2025 - Current
- Filling medication and refills for patients-Keeping stock of medication and medical equipment
- Assisted in anesthesia monitoring during surgeries, ensuring patient safety and optimal surgical outcomes.
- Preparing kennels
- Handling and restraining patients while the proper medical treatment is being given
- Taking temperatures-Preparing vaccines
- Nail trimming
- Calling for records from different clinics
- Observing how the veterinarian diagnosis patients and talks to the owner
- Getting labs ready for pick up
- Ensuring the Doctor has the necessary equipment
- Preparing fecal samples
- Daily cleaning of the clinic
- Provided compassionate care for hospitalized animals, administering medications as directed by the veterinarian team.
Student Research Assistant
Cal Poly Pomona University
Pomona, California
06.2025 - 08.2025
- Caring for the animals being used for the bite force research, consisting of veiled chameleons, Uromastyx, and agamas
- Bring down the research animals to the research facility
- Being in charge of the data collected on the laptop, consisting of creating a new recording for each animal for the different trial dates, labeling each recording accordingly, start the recording at the beginning of each trial, looking to see if we get a reading once they bite down, making a region for that reading and taking the weight of the animal after the trials are over
- Enhanced research accuracy by diligently collecting and analyzing data from various sources.
Animal Caretaker
Cal Poly Pomona University
Pomona, California
01.2025 - 05.2025
- Feedings, water changes, and raking pens to ensure a clean environment for the sheep and goats
- Monitored animal health to quickly recognize signs of illness and injury, seeking necessary medical attention.
- Putting up fencing
- Sweeping the facility
- Changing hay pens
- Applying eye medication to lambs
- Giving injections to pregnant sows
- Refilling mineral container in pens
- Watering down swine enclosure to remove feces
Education
Bachelor of Science - Animal Science Pre-Veterinary
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA 08.2021 - Current
High School Diploma -
Anaheim High School
Anaheim, CA 08.2017 - 2021.05
Skills
[Spanish and English] Language fluency
Active Listening
Flexible and Adaptable
Problem-Solving
Animal behavior
Animal handling
Cleaning protocols
Additional Information
My prior experience encompasses a diverse range of animal species, including canines, felines, rodents, avian species, fish, and a particular focus on reptiles and amphibians. Possessing a high degree of comfort and proficiency in handling various animals, coupled with a comprehensive understanding of their respective care requirements and proper handling techniques.
Timeline
Student Research Assistant
Cal Poly Pomona University
06.2025 - 08.2025
Veterinary Assistant Intern
Animal Medical Center of Orange
01.2025 - Current
Animal Caretaker
Cal Poly Pomona University
01.2025 - 05.2025
Student Assistant Animal Caretaker
Cal Poly Pomona University
08.2023 - 08.2025
Vivarium Intern
Animal Science Department
01.2023 - 05.2023
Student Teacher Assistant
Education Department
06.2022 - 08.2022
Bachelor of Science - Animal Science Pre-Veterinary
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
08.2021 - Current
High School Diploma -
Anaheim High School
08.2017 - 2021.05
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