RVT HIGHLIGHT - ELLEN LEE, RVT

ELLEN LEE
REGISTERED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN
FEAR FREE CERTIFIED

1. How long have you been an RVT for? I have been an RVT for 10 years. 

2. When did you realize you wanted to become an RVT? I have always had a love for animals starting from a very young age and I always thought that I would grow up to be a veterinarian. Throughout high school I started to become really interested in music as well and was gearing my courses towards applying to university for music. While flipping through a course book for college, I came across the veterinary technician program which I decided was more up my alley. It is clear my passion lies in animals and not music so it is safe to say I chose the right path! 

3. What other jobs have you had (in the field of Veterinary Medicine or not), and what led you to working in Physical Rehabilitation?  What specialized courses did you have to take/have you taken? 

I spent a majority of my career working for the same small animal clinic in Scarborough. While it was a great learning experience, I felt it was time for a change after 8 years. In 2020, I decided to pursue physical rehab for animals, starting with the rehab program at Northern College. I was hired at a rehab clinic in downtown Toronto and worked there for a year before deciding Toronto was no longer the place for me. In 2022, I moved to North Bay to work for Touch. Most recently, I became Fear Free certified to expand my knowledge and ability to help fearful and anxious pets in the clinic environment. I also do a lot of extra learning outside of work related to canine stress and anxiety which all started so I could help my own dog with her behavioural challenges.

 4. What are your future goals as an RVT Continuing my education in physical rehab and fostering dogs. I would love to be able to use my medical, rehab and behaviour knowledge to help special needs dogs who require a foster home.

 5. Who was your first childhood pet? A big, brown agouti guinea pig. He was quite a character. 

 6. What pets do you currently have? I share my life with a husky/malamute mix named Yuka. She is a rescue from northern Ontario and I consider her to be my heart dog. 

7. What is your favourite way to relax after work? Relaxing in the living room with my dog while watching sitcoms or soap operas or you can frequently find me decompressing in the aisles of Homesense. I also find it quite calming to hike through nature with my dog. 

8. What is your favourite thing about working for Touch? Watching all the staff of Touch come together as a collective team to help the pets of North Bay whether it be through physical rehab, grooming or obedience.