Melissa, RVT

For as long as she can remember, Melissa has adored the company of animals. Her parents tell her that at only a year of age, she ran into the ring at a local dog show to take over the leash from a handler. The incident even prompted a story in the local newspaper! Now, Melissa gets to exercise her love of pets legitimately — she’s a veterinary technician and receptionist, here at Kamloops Veterinary Clinic.

Born in Saskatchewan, Melissa moved to British Columbia with her parents at a young age, then relocated here to Kamloops eight years ago. She started as a receptionist at a local veterinary clinic, where her love of animal care continued to blossom. It didn’t take long for Melissa to decide that she wanted to attend school to study veterinary medicine. She signed up at Thompson Rivers University, where she would earn her degree in veterinary technology and become a licensed veterinary technician.

As a technician, Melissa particularly likes performing dental cleanings and tooth extractions; she’s still amazed at how much better a pet feels after being completely free of mouth pain. Melissa also enjoys reception work and has a special passion for interacting with clients and educating them on their pet's healthcare.

Melissa, her husband, and her stepson share their lives with two pets: Tex, a Border collie who was supposed to be a herding dog but was never very good at his job; and Kali, a cat that was rescued by Melissa as a stray.