Pet Sitter in Vancouver, British Columbia

Hi there! My name is Chelsea! I am thoroughly dedicated to the care and well-being of all the animals under my attention. With this combined with my education achievements as an Animal Health Technologist from Thompson University and Certified Animal Care Specialist Certificate from Sheridan College makes me an excellent candidate for any position working with animals. I have over 8 years experience in this field and can care for any species of animal/pet you have adopted into your family. I have and can care for ALL animals from fish to elephants -(this includes small, companion, large, and exotic animals). I can provide general daily care, husbandry care, medical/emergency care, exercise and training techniques to any pet you may have. Anything else you may have in mind please inquire! Experience: Work History Vancouver Aquarium – Marine Mammal Rescue Dept. –Veterinary Technician June 2012 – Present - Responsible to provide housing and care for ill, injured, or abandoned marine mammals and rehabilitate them for release back into their natural habitat. - Rescue marine mammals in distress, being exposed to numerous scenarios to capture the animals for assessments. Making decisions on whether the animal is in need of medical attention and rescuing. - Provide medical care to marine mammals including restraint, immunizations, administering medications, and/or euthanasia. - Perform routine laboratory tests, blood, prepared tissue samples for testing and performed urinalysis and blood counts. - Ensure dietary needs are being met per species. i.e. tube feeding, force feeding, and hunt training. - Direct and supervise interns and volunteers on a daily basis to complete tasks around the facility. - Maintain clean hospital environment for the facility. - Interact with the public to answer questions and educate on conservation and rescuing. West Edmonton Mall - Marine Life Dept. (Animal Care level Three, Team Lead) August 2007 – January 2012 - Responsible for supervising and training staff within routine. Responsible for developing protocols and procedures, training manuals, and maintain conservation efforts. Responsible for handling, managing, and training different species of animals - African penguins, California sea lions, three species of Sharks, Ring tailed lemurs, Green Sea turtles, Flamingos, variety of Fish, Caimans and many other reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. - Developed and Produced the Marine Life African Penguin Training Manual and the Animal Enrichment protocol. - Experience in conditioning behaviors and acclimatizing both naive and experienced animals. Tracking number of behaviors trained. - Continuous development of animal conditioning skills and techniques. Maintaining each animal’s current level of criteria through effective observation, listening and training application with operant conditioning. - Diet management: developing, ordering, preparing, and delivering nutritional requirements according to CAZA and USDA standards for all species. - Performed, trained, presented and hosted numerous shows in front of one-thousand plus crowds. - Performed Animal health technologist duties and assisted veterinarians for routine animal husbandry treatments and procedures such as restraining Penguins, Sea Lions, Sharks, Sea Turtles, and Reptiles for collection and analysis of urine, feces, and blood samples, and other duties as required. - Conducted x-rays procedures for African Penguins and euthanasia of different species of Fish. - Performed animal immobilization, crating, shipping, receiving, isolation, and quarantine activities and acclimation of healthy, aggressive, and sick or injured animals. - Fresh and saltwater aquarium maintenance - water chemistry, life support systems, and SCUBA dive scrubs. - Experience in handling and training exotic animals for medical behaviours and procedures, educational and interactive programs with operant conditioning techniques. - Maintaining health and safety protocols and work procedures for facility cleanliness and animal exhibits. - Guest speaker at the 2009 CAZA conference; presented on African Penguin exhibit design. - Perform SCUBA dive feed presentations with Sharks and Sea Turtles. - Free diving experience up to 17ft to collect foreign objects as required. Capilano Animal Clinic (Practicum for Animal Health Technologist) January 2009 – January 2012 - Perform laboratory tests, blood, prepared tissue samples for testing and performed urinalysis and blood counts - Advise pet owners on safety and health practices to ensure no disease is transmitted from animals to humans - Administer anesthetics during surgery and monitor the effects on animals - Documented pain and stress level tests of animals used for research and development, as well as medical histories - Administer medication, immunizations, and blood plasma to animals as prescribed by veterinarians - Provided medical treatments to animals under veterinary care with monitored supervision from the licensed veterinarian - Perform routine laboratory tests or diagnostic tests such as taking and developing x-rays - Providing medical treatment to animals under the supervision of licensed veterinarian - Giving anesthesia injections as ordered by the veterinarian - Set up for emergency situations, daily rounds conducted checking the animal - Precautionary measures taken if the animal is suffering from severe disease - Controlling the animal for his checking and sample collection - Provide appropriate care of young animals until adoption - Maintained stock and inventory of medicine, equipment, stationary etc. - Quality control of medicines as directed by the veterinarian before accepting the delivery - Arranging appointments and managing daily requirements Marineland (Assistant Marine Mammal Trainer) April 2006 – August 2007 - Expanded knowledge on marine mammal husbandry and basic animal training skills. - Diet preparation, record keeping, and public education for beluga whales, bottlenose dolphins, and orcas. - Maintained previously trained beluga whale behaviors using positive reinforcement and operant conditioning under supervision. - Ensured the safety of people and animals during public interactions with feeding and touching sessions with beluga whales. - Data collection on beluga whale behavior examining parental care of new young. - Observed animals for signs of illness and injury. - Cleaned and disinfected animal food preparation areas daily. - Maintain daily cleanliness and sanitary conditions throughout the facility. - Participated in enrichment program. Toronto Zoo (Assistant Zookeeper) April 2005 – April 2006 - Involved in various routines with different animal species, African Elephants, Cape Fur Seals, and Hippopotamus. - Contributed and observed in training seals and elephants. - Cleaned, disinfected, and maintained animal husbandry. - Observed animals for signs of illness and injury. - Diet preparation, record keeping, and public education. - Assisted in cleaning, feeding schedules and enrichment as scheduled - cleaning and disinfecting of enclosures, food trays, and water pans; drain and clean animal pool’s; collect and properly dispose of waste materials. Sheridan College Animal Centre (Animal Care) March-April 2007 - Cleaned, disinfected and maintained animal handling areas. - Fed, watered, groomed, and exercised animals. - Safely and humanely handled animals and performed certain related animal and health care functions for animals of different species. - Monitored the physical condition of animals and advised veterinarians/technicians and supervisors of ill animals. - Evaluated animals in order to determine their temperaments, abilities, and aptitude for training. - Ensured the safety of animals and people in the animal facility. - Maintained relevant written records Ministry of Natural Resources – Killarney Provincial Park (Supervisor) (summers) June – August 2002 - 2... - Supervise up to twenty four full-time employees, on a regular basis. - Provided critical support on decision making regarding evaluation, promotion and termination of employees. - Situated in many different work scenarios, completing tasks thoroughly. (Fish hatchery, wildlife rehabilitation, tree planting, animal capture and release.) - Developed, prepared and planned weekly schedules (out-trips, activities) - Safely and successfully transported employees daily to and from work sites. - Trained rangers in safe operation of all tools and equipment. - Ontario Provincial Park maintenance - Interior & exterior - Highly experienced in survival training, rappelling, kayaking, portaging, and canoeing.