Shelby Merz Hoffmeister
Golden,CO
Summary
Reliable vet assistant known for handling temperamental animals with relative ease and gentleness. Create individualized enrichment plans for various animals to create a stimulating environment. Willing to take on additional shifts while providing great care to animals. Dedicated candidate with extensive experience providing support to animals. Skilled in monitoring animal vitals and meeting task deadlines. Highly organized and works well in team environments.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Intern/ Volunteer
Natuwa Wildlife Sanctuary
10.2023 - 12.2023
- Through World
- Wide Vets volunteering program
- Vet assistant for the on site vet
- Worked with local and rescued wildlife that were previously smuggled in the black market pet trade and injured due to modern world issues
- Did general check-ups on some of the animals which entailed: checking the heart rate, temperature, and breathing rate, checking if animals are dehydrated by checking capillary refill time
- Check the sex, if possible
- Then drew blood to check white blood cell counts and hematocrits
- Check for injuries and general behavior at being restrained
- Provide different opportunities for enrichment like bringing smoothies, treats, color stimulation, planting edible plants in the enclosure, hanging leaves to simulate natural behavior, and scent enrichment for predators
- Helped during mandatory surgeries
- Made sure everything was ready for the surgery and sterile assisted with suturing the wound closed and keeping everything sterile
- Kept track of the animals’ vitals every 3-5 minutes since didn’t have a machine to do it
- Gave medication to animals who needed it and cleaned wounds
- Watched over the diets of animals that are the clinics continuous patients for however long animals there
Intern
Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
06.2023 - 09.2023
- Take care of orphaned and rehabilitating animals
- Each shift take care of basic needs for an average of 15-20 animals per shift such as cleaning enclosures, feeding, enrichment, and occasionally helping staff members restrain animals to administer medication if asked
- The animals that are normally taken care of are smaller wildlife like birds, waterfowl, squirrels, and raccoons (squirrels and raccoons are only at certain times a year)
- Since we work with rabies vector animals, I am rabies vaccinated.
House and Pet Sitter
Linda
11.2022 - Current
- Number: (303) 915-2429
- Took care of her plants
- Making sure the pipes didn’t freeze and kept the house clean and in proper order while she was on vacation with her husband
- She referred me to some other friends for pets and house-sitting duties but I haven't started with them yet.
Volunteer
Longmont Humane Society
06.2018 - 05.2019
- Like all volunteers you start in the TLC of all animals where you clean the enclosure and blankets they use, litter boxes, giving them treats in kongs inside the kennels to give them entertainment and play with the cats
- After a few weeks you go into specializing in an animal to take care of so you can actually open enclosures for the dogs and walk them and pet them
- Shifts were self scheduled and needed at least once a week and they lasted about 2 hours
- The dogs were listed on a white board and whichever dog you took for a walk you listed the time you left by its name
- Needed to know the dogs diet and if they were sick so you knew to keep them away from dogs and types of treats.
Pet-sitter
Bob Hildreth
10.2017 - 05.2018
- Number: (919) 721-7436; Email: bob.hildreth@yahoo.com
- Took care of their two dogs whenever they needed (when they were working, work trips and such): One older and sick, Hero, and a younger one named Happy who was very energetic
- Hero had a tumor and he had specific dietary and medication needs, and Happy enjoyed trying to bother him or stealing the special meals
- Had to walk them around the apartment complex and play with them, all basic needs.
House and Pet Sitter
Christyanne Melendez
07.2011 - 03.2014
- Number: (928) 380-7503
- Started dog-sitting for her when I was young and when she went on hiking trips and such over the years
- Her pug, Lulu, had a previous injury to her eye from when she tried to take on a bigger dog and ruptured her cornea
- So, I had to give her eye drops since it would get infected otherwise, and took care of her other basic needs while Cristyanne was away.
Education
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, COSkills
- Passion to work with animals
- Background in animal behavior and basic animal care
- Sanitation Protocols
- Physical Examinations
- Medical Record Keeping
- Preventative Care
- Vaccine Administration
- Surgical Assistance
- Animal Handling
Timeline
Intern/ Volunteer
Natuwa Wildlife Sanctuary
10.2023 - 12.2023
Intern
Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
06.2023 - 09.2023
House and Pet Sitter
Linda
11.2022 - Current
Volunteer
Longmont Humane Society
06.2018 - 05.2019
Pet-sitter
Bob Hildreth
10.2017 - 05.2018
House and Pet Sitter
Christyanne Melendez
07.2011 - 03.2014
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
University of Colorado Boulder
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