Shannon McKeon
Waukesha,WI
Summary
Dedicated and experienced Veterinary Assistant with over 15 years in emergency and critical care, surgical assistance, primary wellness care, animal rescue, and client/student education. Skilled in supporting veterinary teams in fast-paced clinical environments while prioritizing patient safety, compassionate care, and positive outcomes. Committed to advancing animal health and well-being through strong clinical skills, effective communication, and a passion for providing high-quality veterinary care.
Overview
1
1
Certification
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Veterinary Technician Assistant
VEG ER for Pets
Waukesha, Wisconsin
01.2025 - Current
- Triage incoming emergency and critical care patients, identified life-threatening conditions, and alerted clinical staff to ensure timely intervention.
- Supported veterinarians and licensed technicians with blood draws, digital radiography, IV fluid therapy, and wound care.
- Monitored sedated and anesthetized patients, tracking vital signs and recovery status.
- Prepared medication dosages, administered oral and topical treatments, and assisted with restraint for physical exams.
- Safely restrained pets during exams, procedures, and diagnostic testing.
- Sterilized and maintained veterinary care instruments and equipment.
- Prepared exam rooms, treatment areas, and sterile supplies for emergency cases.
- Managed electronic medical records and communicated discharge instructions clearly to clients.
- Provided updates and emotional support to anxious pet parents during treatment and hospitalization, enhancing client satisfaction and trust.
- Mentored students in veterinary assistant degree programs, fostering skill development and preparing them for careers in veterinary care.
- Oversaw supply orders to ensure readiness of surgical preparation and suite areas.
Veterinary Technician Assistant/Surgical Assistant
Best Friends Veterinary Center
Grafton, Wisconsin
06.2024 - Current
- Assisted veterinarians during patient examinations, consultations, and treatment procedures.
- Performed blood draws and intravenous catheter placement.
- Educated clients on preventive care and overall pet health to enhance wellness and nutrition understanding.
- Prepared and dispensed medications, supplements, and preventative treatments.
- Managed front-office operations, facilitating client communication, scheduling, and administrative support to streamline workflow.
- Assisted with a variety of surgical procedures and anesthetic monitoring.
- Supported advanced dental cleanings, dental procedures, and tooth extractions.
- Gained experience with orthopaedic rehabilitation and post-operative patient care.
- Communicated laboratory results and coordinated patient follow-ups to ensure continuity of care and patient well-being.
- Mentored and trained new team members on clinical procedures, workflows, and daily responsibilities.
Veterinary Technician Assistant (ER)
Blue Pearl Veterinary Hospital
Glendale, WI
07.2020 - 02.2024
- Managed emergency triage and prioritized critical patients presenting with conditions such as hemoabdomen, saddle thrombus, respiratory distress, and cardiac disease.
- Delivered comprehensive emergency and critical care, including precise constant rate infusion (CRI) calculations, advanced fluid therapy, medication administration, and perioperative monitoring.
- Executed medication and dosage calculations, venipuncture, and intravenous and urinary catheter placements and care to ensure effective patient treatment.
- Assessed and triaged various emergencies, including orthopedic and neurologic cases, open limb fractures, and spinal fractures.
- Utilized Idexx, Sedivue, and VetScan diagnostic equipment to perform laboratory testing, including coagulation profiles, chemistry panels, CBCs, PCV/TS, and blood smear preparation.
- Collected blood samples using various collection techniques and methods to support accurate and timely diagnostics.
- Performed in-house cytology and microscopic evaluations of urine, blood, body fluids, and ear samples to support diagnostic assessments and treatment planning.
- Administered injectable medications and managed controlled substances in accordance with established protocols and regulatory requirements.
- Assisted with central line placement and maintenance while providing advanced patient monitoring and critical care support.
- Responded promptly and professionally to emergency code calls, demonstrating sound judgment, composure, and effective teamwork in high-pressure situations.
- Led training and mentoring initiatives on medical procedures, patient care, emergency protocols, and clinical best practices to enhance team competencies.
- Participated in a variety of C.E. learning opportunities.
Veterinary Assistant
Silver Spring Animal Wellness Center
Glendale, Wisconsin
03.2015 - 06.2020
- Executed dental procedures, including scaling, tartar removal, charting, and radiography, to ensure optimal oral health for patients.
- Prepared patients for surgical procedures and monitored post-operative recovery to support safe and effective outcomes.
- Applied low-stress handling techniques to promote patient comfort, safety, and positive veterinary care experiences.
- Coordinated specialty appointments and emergency walk-ins to enhance patient flow and ensure timely care delivery.
- Delivered compassionate client service through attentive communication, responsive support, and a commitment to positive client experiences.
- Gathered patient histories and communicated concerns to veterinary staff to facilitate informed treatment decisions.
Veterinary Technician Assistant (ER)
Wisconsin Veterinary Referral Center
Waukesha, Wisconsin
01.2012 - 03.2015
- Actively responded to emergency situations with critical care interventions, adeptly stabilizing and treating patients facing life-threatening conditions.
- Careful management of animals during pre-surgical preparation and post-operative recovery, prioritizing patient comfort and safety.
- Employed gentle and effective animal handling techniques to ensure patient comfort and safety during treatment.
- Communicated clearly with pet owners regarding diagnoses, lab results, and discharge instructions to facilitate understanding and compliance.
- Conducted in-house and reference laboratory sample analyses to support accurate diagnostics and treatment planning.
- Supported operations in specialty care departments by providing essential assistance.
- Conducted radiographs and aided ultrasound examinations for accurate diagnostics.
Education
Veterinary Technology Program -
Pen Foster
Online10-2026
Some College (No Degree) - Medical Technology/ General Education
University of Wisconsin Waukesha
Waukesha, WISkills
- Emergency care
- Emergency assessment
- Surgical assistance
- Intravenous fluid administration
- Procedure assistance
- Diagnostic sampling
- Imaging diagnostics
- Veterinary protocols
- Instrument sterilization
- Medical records management
- Client communication
- Analytical thinking
Certification
- RECOVER Certified Basic Life Support Rescuer
- RECOVER Certified Advanced Life Support Rescuer
- Key Operator Training Certification- Gas Sterilizer
Timeline
Veterinary Technician Assistant
VEG ER for Pets
01.2025 - Current
Veterinary Technician Assistant/Surgical Assistant
Best Friends Veterinary Center
06.2024 - Current
Veterinary Technician Assistant (ER)
Blue Pearl Veterinary Hospital
07.2020 - 02.2024
Veterinary Assistant
Silver Spring Animal Wellness Center
03.2015 - 06.2020
Veterinary Technician Assistant (ER)
Wisconsin Veterinary Referral Center
01.2012 - 03.2015
Veterinary Technology Program -
Pen Foster
Some College (No Degree) - Medical Technology/ General Education
University of Wisconsin Waukesha