I have always loved animals and have been a caretaker for many species including cats, dogs, horses, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. It was not surprising when I decided I wanted a career taking care of animals and I went to school to become a Registered Veterinary Technologist (RVT) in 2009.
I graduated from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology with my diploma in Animal Health Technology in 2011. I discovered my passion for learning and immediately after becoming an RVT, I enrolled at the University of Alberta to get my Bachelor of Science (major in Biology, minor in Chemistry). I was so happy soaking up knowledge that I took more Biology and Zoology classes than I needed to graduate! (It's okay, I know I'm a giant nerd.)
I have worked as an RVT at an emergency vet clinic, at Northlands Racetrack with the Thoroughbred horses, as well as at the Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) at their spay/neuter program called the Prevent Another Litter Subsidy (PALS). I worked in general practice as an RVT for over 5 years, and I spent a year with a startup company offering my insight into the veterinary field to get them off the ground with their new product. Most recently I have returned to EHS as an RVT.
During my years as an RVT, I had trouble picking one area to focus on because I love learning about animals and how to improve their lives. But then, I met a certain cat and everything changed...
Xenophon, or Xeni, was supposed to be a foster. We already had 3 cats, but if I could successfully foster this kitten then I could start fostering regularly and have a steady supply of kittens coming through my home! What a dream! But I should have known better; every sad cat story pulls my heartstrings, so how could I not fall in love with a 5-week-old kitten found alone behind a dumpster in freezing October weather, half-starved and with a mysterious (but adorable) head tilt? I didn't even have to ask, my partner could see that I bonded with Xeni instantly and said "Fine, we can keep him."
After a few weeks, Xeni recovered from his head tilt but I believe the trauma left its mark. As he grew, he got into more and more trouble when food was around. Once he could jump on the counter, nothing was safe. I have never seen a cat go so wild around food! In my whole life and career as an RVT, I have never seen anything like it. It was not normal. We couldn't eat with him in the room unless he was on a harness and leash. We couldn't leave anything remotely food-related where he could reach it. Then he started eating non-food items and we were in deep trouble.
Xenophon was about a year old when he had his first behaviour consult with a specialized veterinarian. At this point, we had multiple emergency vet visits due to Xeni's dietary indiscretions. One visit was because he ate so fast that he inhaled food into his lungs! By the time he was 1.5 years old, he had received two life-saving surgeries to remove material that was stuck in his intestines. I was doing everything I could think of to keep him safe, but he would always find something else to eat. I was at my wits end, and genuinely afraid that the next vet visit would be his last.
I truly believe that Xenophon would not have survived to see his second birthday if I hadn't sought help from a behaviour specialist. She diagnosed him with OCD and pica and started him on medications and supplements. The medication can only do so much alone, so she gave me advice on how to manage his environment and introduced me to clicker training. Without her guidance, I would have been completely lost and Xeni probably wouldn't be here today.
All of the changes we implemented have made a huge difference in Xeni's life! He does tricks and has manners now! He goes on road trips and hikes, and he's even been to the ocean. We can finally eat snacks on the couch and not defend our food constantly. Xenophon has become a radiant cat by showing me how intelligent and amazing he can be when allowed to shine!
Xenophon taught me that even though I've been an RVT for over a decade, and an animal lover my whole life, I didn't know enough to save him on my own. I felt humbled that I needed help, but I'm so glad I found an expert when I did. Helping Xeni was the reason I started this journey, but then I realized that the more I learned, the more I wanted to know, and my passion for the science of animal behaviour kept growing.
My goal is to help build stronger bonds between cats and their guardians by teaching and providing advice through Radiant Cats. I believe every cat is a unique individual and they deserve the opportunity to show off their radiant purr-sonalities!
If you and your cat would like to hire me, please click the button below to view my services.
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