Sara Huggins
Dover,NJ
Summary
Dynamic and empathetic professional with extensive experience as a Veterinary Technician at Rockaway Animal Hospital and a skilled Police Dispatcher for Denville Township Police Department. Excelled in high-pressure environments, demonstrating exceptional multitasking abilities and critical thinking. Achieved significant improvements in patient care and emergency response efficiency. Proficient in data entry and possesses strong interpersonal communication skills.
Professional communicator with strong background in emergency services. Known for maintaining calm under pressure and ensuring seamless coordination during crises. Consistently reliable team player who adapts to changing situations and prioritizes effective communication and decision-making.
Overview
2025
2025
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Veterinary Technician
Rockaway Animal Hospital
- Effectively managed time-sensitive tasks while maintaining high-quality patient care through multitasking abilities during busy shifts at the clinic.
- Assisted in euthanasia procedures with empathy and compassion, providing emotional support to grieving pet owners during difficult times.
- Administered medications and vaccinations to animals under the supervision of a veterinarian, ensuring proper dosage and administration techniques.
- Restrained animals to protect veterinarians from potential harm.
- Cleaned and disinfected exam areas, surgical equipment, and kennels to prevent diseases and control odors.
- Conducted diagnostic tests such as blood work, x-rays, and ultrasounds to aid in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
- Monitored post-operative recovery processes for surgical patients closely to detect any complications early enough for prompt intervention.
- Educated clients on preventive care measures such as vaccination schedules, heartworm prevention, flea/tick control, dental hygiene, and nutrition guidelines.
- Maintained clean examination rooms, equipment, and kennels to ensure a safe and sanitary environment for both patients and staff members.
- Provided exceptional customer service, addressing client concerns and answering questions about pet health and wellness.
- Collaborated with fellow technicians to create efficient workflows that streamlined daily tasks within the clinic setting.
- Contributed to team success by supporting colleagues when needed during emergencies or critical cases requiring additional assistance.
- Scheduled appointments efficiently while prioritizing urgent cases appropriately based on severity of symptoms presented by pets.
- Provided thorough discharge instructions to clients following appointments or surgical procedures, ensuring clear understanding of medications, aftercare steps, and follow-up recommendations.
- Administered medications to animals in treatment and documented changes in condition.
- Enhanced client satisfaction by providing compassionate care for pets during their appointments.
- Provided care for animals before surgeries, administering anesthetics as necessary for overall comfort and health.
- Restocked surgical and office supplies to keep all necessary materials easily accessible.
- Handled challenging behavior from stressed or anxious animals using calming techniques learned through continuous professional development courses.
- Processed new patients and updated client records with key information using standardized registration systems and encrypted databases.
- Collected patient biopsies and blood samples for laboratory analysis.
- Greeted pet owners and went over available services, outlined costs, and determined special needs of animals under care.
- Streamlined workflow, ensuring accurate record-keeping and timely communication with clients regarding treatment plans.
- Triaged incoming patients to determine treatment needs and urgency of care.
- Improved patient care by assisting veterinarians in diagnosing and treating animals.
- Recorded symptoms and documented medical observations to inform treatment decisions.
- Performed radiograph testing to assist doctors in making informed diagnoses and determining best treatment plans.
- Reduced errors in diagnostic testing by maintaining up-to-date knowledge on veterinary practices and techniques.
- Increased clinic efficiency by organizing supplies inventory management systems for easy access during appointments or surgeries.
- Provided emergency care for injured animals, significantly reducing recovery time.
- Participated in community outreach programs, raising awareness on animal health and safety.
- Facilitated stress-free visits for pets and owners with calm and patient demeanor.
- Enhanced clinic reputation through exceptional customer service and care for animals.
- Increased client satisfaction by delivering compassionate care and clear communication regarding their pets' health.
- Developed training program for new technicians, enhancing skill set and efficiency of clinic team.
- Provided nutritional counseling for pet owners, leading to improved health outcomes for pets.
- Streamlined patient check-in process, reducing wait times and improving overall clinic flow.
- Improved clinic efficiency with organization of medical inventory and timely restocking of supplies.
- Collaborated with veterinary team to update treatment protocols, leading to more effective care strategies.
- Maintained clean and sterile surgical areas, ensuring safe environment for animal surgeries.
- Managed scheduling and appointments, optimizing clinic operations and veterinarian time.
- Conducted laboratory tests to assist in diagnosis of animal diseases, facilitating timely treatment plans.
- Educated pet owners on preventative care, significantly reducing incidence of common diseases.
- Enhanced patient recovery rates by administering prescribed treatments accurately and compassionately.
- Documented patient history and treatment details, maintaining accurate and up-to-date medical records.
- Monitored vital signs of animals during surgical procedures and provided postoperative care.
- Maintained detailed records of animal health care and diagnostic treatments.
- Performed fecal examinations, urinalysis and bloodwork.
- Assisted in preparation and administration of anesthesia for surgical processes.
- Collected and prepared specimens for laboratory testing.
- Administer medications, vaccines and treatments as instructed by veterinarian.
- Administered prescribed injectable controlled substances, tranquilizers, sedatives and injectable or inhalant anesthetics.
- Interacted with clients regarding animal health, questions and concerns, education on treatment protocol and general procedures.
- Administered oral or topical medications to boarding patients as specified by veterinarian in animal's medical record.
- Educated clients on nutrition, preventive health and other animal care.
- Assisted veterinarians with radiographs and ultrasounds.
- Administered vaccinations to variety of animal species.
- Obtained patient history from owners and performed physical examinations.
- Filed daily progress records, surgery logs, x-ray logs, and routine records.
- Designed and created client education materials and marketing materials for hospital services.
- Developed and facilitated community classes to provide information for pet owners while building hospital's reputation.
Veterinarian Technician
American Animal Hospital
Randolph Township, NJ
01.2024 - 09.2024
- Conducted regular laboratory work including blood chemistry analysis, fecal exams, urinalysis, skin scrapings, among other tests for accurate diagnosis of medical conditions.
- Restrained animals of all sizes appropriately during veterinary examinations and when immunizations were given.
- Enhanced client satisfaction by providing timely follow-up on their pets'' progress post-treatment, demonstrating genuine care for the well-being of their animals.
- Provided excellent customer service, addressing client concerns and answering questions on pet health.
- Streamlined workflow processes with effective inventory management and restocking of supplies when necessary.
- Facilitated communication between clients and veterinarians, acting as a liaison to ensure clear understanding of diagnoses and treatments.
- Contributed to team collaboration and seamless workflow by assisting colleagues with tasks as needed, including restraining animals during procedures or providing additional support in the laboratory.
- Prepared animals for surgery by clipping fur and disinfecting surgical sites thoroughly to prevent infection risks during operations.
- Collaborated with veterinarians in diagnosing illnesses and developing appropriate treatment plans for patients.
- Improved clinic efficiency by maintaining organized records of patients, medications, and treatments.
- Contributed to the well-being of animals by assisting in surgical procedures and post-operative care.
- Examined animal patients, asking pet owners appropriate questions regarding behavior, eating habits and sleeping.
- Consistently maintained a clean working environment by following strict sanitation protocols that adhered to industry standards.
- Explained preventive care measures for flea and tick control and heartworms.
- Supported veterinarians during emergency cases with swift response times to administer critical care effectively under high-pressure situations.
- Monitored vital signs during surgical procedures, ensuring the safety of anesthetized animals throughout their operations.
- Comforted clients when pets were sick or dying and provided listening ear.
- Ensured a safe environment for both animals and staff through proper sterilization of equipment and treatment areas.
- Exercised strong attention to detail when monitoring and updating patient records, ensuring accurate documentation of treatment plans, medication administration, and test results.
- Enhanced patient care by performing diagnostic tests and analyzing results accurately.
- Administered vaccinations and medications as prescribed by the veterinarian, safeguarding animal health.
- Assisted veterinarians during surgical procedures by organizing operating room by preparing necessary tools and equipment.
- Educated pet owners on preventive healthcare measures, increasing overall pet wellness within the community.
- Established trust with clients through empathetic handling of sensitive situations regarding their pets'' health issues or end-of-life decisions.
- Restrained animals to protect veterinarians from potential harm.
- Cleaned and disinfected exam areas, surgical equipment, and kennels to prevent diseases and control odors.
- Triaged incoming patients to determine treatment needs and urgency of care.
- Greeted pet owners and went over available services, outlined costs, and determined special needs of animals under care.
- Restocked surgical and office supplies to keep all necessary materials easily accessible.
- Administered medications to animals in treatment and documented changes in condition.
- Processed new patients and updated client records with key information using standardized registration systems and encrypted databases.
- Recorded symptoms and documented medical observations to inform treatment decisions.
- Performed radiograph testing to assist doctors in making informed diagnoses and determining best treatment plans.
- Collected patient biopsies and blood samples for laboratory analysis.
- Provided care for animals before surgeries, administering anesthetics as necessary for overall comfort and health.
- Monitored vital signs of animals during surgical procedures and provided postoperative care.
- Maintained detailed records of animal health care and diagnostic treatments.
- Interacted with clients regarding animal health, questions and concerns, education on treatment protocol and general procedures.
- Administer medications, vaccines and treatments as instructed by veterinarian.
- Assisted veterinarians with radiographs and ultrasounds.
- Collected and prepared specimens for laboratory testing.
- Obtained patient history from owners and performed physical examinations.
- Filed daily progress records, surgery logs, x-ray logs, and routine records.
- Administered prescribed injectable controlled substances, tranquilizers, sedatives and injectable or inhalant anesthetics.
- Educated clients on nutrition, preventive health and other animal care.
- Performed fecal examinations, urinalysis and bloodwork.
- Administered oral or topical medications to boarding patients as specified by veterinarian in animal's medical record.
- Administered vaccinations to variety of animal species.
Police Dispatcher
Denville Township Police Department
Denville, NJ
12.2006 - 10.2016
- Coordinated multi-agency responses for large-scale incidents, resulting in effective resource allocation and successful outcomes.
- Handled sensitive situations with professionalism, maintaining confidentiality while collecting necessary information from callers for effective intervention.
- Managed high-stress situations effectively, utilizing active listening skills and empathy to provide support to those involved in emergencies or traumatic events.
- Maintained a calm and reassuring presence during high-pressure situations, ensuring clear communication between callers, officers, and other agencies involved in emergency response.
- Supported public safety initiatives by gathering relevant data from callers for accurate dispatching of appropriate resources.
- Received 911 and non-emergency calls and dispatched calls to appropriate agencies and officers on duty.
- Contributed to officer safety by diligently monitoring radio traffic and providing timely status checks.
- Used specialized software to track and maintain case incident numbers and logs.
- Questioned callers to determine nature of problems and locations to direct type of response needed.
- Mentored new dispatchers to facilitate their smooth integration into the team, improving overall efficiency of the department.
- Entered criminal record checks, driver's license numbers and warrants into telecommunications systems to fulfill officer requests.
- Improved communication between officers and dispatchers through regular training sessions on radio etiquette.
- Maintained a high level of accuracy in data entry, ensuring all incident reports were complete and uptodate.
- Streamlined information sharing with other departments by developing comprehensive call summaries for interagency use.
- Operated telephone and radio equipment to receive requests and reports from police officers, medical dispatch and firefighting crews.
- Enhanced response times by efficiently prioritizing and dispatching emergency calls.
- Promoted a positive work environment by fostering collaboration among team members and encouraging open communication channels within the department.
- Participated in community outreach programs to educate the public on proper usage of emergency services and non-emergency reporting options available within the department.
- Contributed to department''s overall safety by consistently monitoring officer locations and providing timely assistance when needed.
- Provided critical support during natural disasters, coordinating resources and relaying vital information between agencies for efficient response efforts.
- Assisted in the development of department protocols for dispatchers, resulting in improved efficiency and consistency within the team.
- Ensured continuous improvement in operations by participating in ongoing dispatcher trainings and staying current with best practices.
- Assisted in reducing crime rates by providing crucial information to officers during investigations and patrol activities.
- Reduced false alarms through diligent verification procedures before initiating police response.
- Completed appropriate forms and radio announcements for police department needs such as BOLO requests.
- Received public emergency and non-emergency calls and supervised response prioritization in order to effectively dispatch official units such as police, fire, and EMS while tracking data in real-time environments.
- Assisted callers in emergency situations with appropriate information and support.
- Applied interpersonal skills in neutralizing hostile and emotionally charged situations.
- Routed calls to police, fire, and ambulance service to meet individual call needs.
- Automated document flow by ensuring logbooks and fire, accident, and emergency reports were maintained with 100% accuracy.
- Relayed latest information to first responders via electronic means, telephone calls, and radio responses.
- Operated emergency response systems to update and retrieve up-to-date information for first responders.
- Reduced risks and emergency response issues by observing public safety field units.
- Communicated pre-arrival instructions to emergency medical personnel, helping first responders deliver appropriate care and support to individuals.
Education
Associates - Social Sciences
County College of Morris
Randolph Township, NJ05.2022
Skills
- Public safety awareness
- Data entry
- Incident prioritization
- Information gathering
- Interviewing
- Memory retention
- Typing speed
- Multi-line phone system
- Records maintenance
- Geographical expertise
- Confidentiality
- Caller engagement
- Processing requests
- Call assessments
- Teamwork
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Prioritizing situations
- Attention to detail
- Call prioritization
- Listening skills
- Problem-solving abilities
- Dependable and responsible
- Multitasking
- Multitasking Abilities
- Reliability
- Excellent communication
- Critical thinking
- Computer skills
- Organizational skills
- Team collaboration
- Team leadership
- Active listening
- Effective communication
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Verbal and written communication
- Decision-making
- Situational awareness
- Dispatch coordination
- Computer-aided dispatching
- NCIC database
- Relationship building
- Flexible schedule
- Providing clear directions
- Radio frequencies monitoring
- Information documentation
- Team building
- Safety protocols
- Police and fire procedures
- Confidentiality understanding
- Task prioritization
- First aid knowledge
- Map reading skills
- Self motivation
- Medical terminology
- Coaching and mentoring
- Interpersonal skills
- Map reading
- Analytical thinking
- Conflict resolution
- Computer literacy
- Documentation
- Information intake
- Goal setting
- Professionalism
- Good judgment
- Interpersonal communication
- Documentation and reporting
- Public safety telecommunicator
- Crisis intervention
- Record keeping
- 911 system information databases
- Time management abilities
- Continuous improvement
- Adaptability
- Written communication
- Emergency support
- Criminal justice knowledge
- Data systems operation
- Technical understanding
- Emergency response procedures
- Information relay
- Incident management
- Data analysis
- Call management
- Telephone etiquette
- Emergency protocols
- Alarm systems monitoring
- Professional demeanor
- Problem-solving aptitude
- Unit dispatch
- Call records maintenance
- Stress management
Certification
Active Shooter Response
Cell Block Management - Suicide Awareness
ICS 100-200
NIMS IS -700
Police Matron
Disasters and the Dispatcher
Internal Affairs
Have previously obtained EMD along with First Aid/CPR/AED. Certifications have subsequently expired.
Timeline
Veterinarian Technician
American Animal Hospital
01.2024 - 09.2024
Police Dispatcher
Denville Township Police Department
12.2006 - 10.2016
Veterinary Technician
Rockaway Animal Hospital
Associates - Social Sciences
County College of Morris