Everyone at Larimer Humane Society recently celebrated “National Veterinary Technician Week”, which is a week to recognize the contributions that our vet techs provide our animals each day. The veterinary technicians are Larimer Humane Society are critical to the day-to-day functions in our organization, and play a vital role in preserving the health and welfare and animals in our community.
We’d like to introduce you to the veterinary technicians at Larimer Humane so you can get to know them and the work they do for our organization. To all of our vet techs, thank you for the work you do each day!
Get to Know Shanna Cervantes
Why did you want to become a Veterinary Technician?
I used to work on the human side of the medical field and after volunteering with the veterinary staff at Larimer Humane, I found I really enjoyed working with the animals. So I thought if I can work with the animals and still keep in the medical side of things that would be the best and here I am!
What’s your favorite thing about working at Larimer Humane Society?
The people I work with. We have a lot of good people working here and even though this kind of work can be hard at times, it is really awesome to have good coworkers to keep your spirits up. I really feel supported in this organization.
What is your favorite food?
Potatoes!!! Mashed, fried, or baked. Potatoes are the best!
What was the last thing you binge-watched on television?
How I Met Your Mother
Tell us about your pets:
- Four Dogs:
- Asher – He is a 13-year-old Yellow lab and has been with me for about nine years.
- Zoey – She is an 11-year-old Pointer/Terrier mix and has been with me since she was eight weeks old.
- McLovin – She is a 10-year-old Chihuahua mix and has been with me for about seven years.
- Fogell – He is a four-year-old Chihuahua and has been with me for two years.
- I have one 16-year-old cat whose name is Buddy. He’s been with me for 14 years.
- Lastly, I have one Gecko whose name is Gina and she is the newest edition to our family.
Get to Know Mei Yuen
Why did you want to become a Veterinary Technician?
I have always had a passion for medicine and have grown up with animals. I was born into a family with geese and dogs; plus I grew up taking home anything I could bargain chores for. Being in veterinary medicine fits my enthusiasm to learn and my upbringing to provide care.
What’s your favorite thing about working at Larimer Humane Society?
From Robo-hamsters to Great Danes to Boer goats to budgies (and everything in between), my favorite thing about working at Larimer Humane Society is the variety of animals we get to care for.
What is your favorite food?
Food is my favorite food! Dumplings, soups, and pasta are hard to argue with though.
What’s the last thing you binge-watched on television?
I have a constant rotation of Disney moves on in the background. It’s less binge-watching and more of a lifestyle.
Tell us about your pets:
- Dogs
- Four-year-old Soren who is a Shepherd mix and has been with me for four years.
- 3-year-old Stoic who is a Husky and has been with me for one and a half years.
- A two and a half-year-old Golden Retriever whose name is Nugget.
- Cats
- A three and a half-year-old Torbie domestic short-hair whose name is Gnocchi.
- A three-year-old Orange Tabby and white domestic short-hair named Rigatoni.
- Birds
- Nine-year-old Phoenix who is a Cockatiel (and was my first pet as an “adult”).
- Three-year-old Zilant who is a Conure who I adopted right before the pandemic hit.
Plus I have several other critters of the fluffy and scaly/slimy/slithery/crawly variety!
Get to Know Melissa Flerlage
Why did you want to become a Veterinary Technician?
To be a voice and advocate for animals in need.
What’s your favorite thing about working at Larimer Humane Society?
Everyone’s compassion and dedication to animal welfare.
What is your favorite food?
Poke bowls, loaded baked potatoes, and anything with carbs.
What’s the last thing you binge-watched on television?
The Boys on Amazon Prime and The Midnight Gospel on Netflix
Tell us about your pets:
I have one dog and one cat. My dog’s name is Enoch and he is a three-year-old German Shepherd. My cat’s name is Luna and she will be four years old this Halloween. She is a grey and white domestic short hair. Enoch was rescued from the floods in Louisiana in 2018 when he was eight weeks old and I found Luna as a kitten caught in a trap on my friend’s farm in Maryland.
Get to Know John Bowker
Why did you want to become a Veterinary Technician?
I was friends with someone in high school whose dad was a veterinarian and knew then that I always wanted to work with animals.
What’s your favorite thing about working at Larimer Humane Society?
Working and helping with all the different animals and situations that you may not see at other clinics.
What is your favorite food?
Mexican food.
What’s the last thing you binge-watched on television?
Cobra Kai on Netflix
Tell us about your pets:
- Dogs
- 12-year-old George who is a Norfolk Terrier mix and has been with me for 11 years.
- Seven-year-old Forman who is a Chihuahua mix and has been with me for six years.
- Cats
- Five-year-old Monkey who is a domestic short-hair and has been with my family for five years.
- Four and a half year old Maize who is a domestic short-hair and has been with my family for four years.
We also have a nine-year-old Green Iguana whose name is Kevin and that we have had for eight years.
