Wendy

Hello, I'm Wendy! I’m a Veterinary Technician at Best Friends Animal Hospital. I earned my Associate of Arts degree from Okaloosa Walton Community College (1996–1997) and my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Central Florida (1997–1999). After graduating, I moved back to the Florida Panhandle and was given the opportunity to work at Florida’s Gulfarium Marine Park, where my love for marine animals truly blossomed. I was involved in everything from SCUBA diving to training to assisting with medical care, and those experiences deeply shaped my passion for animal health and behavior.

Years later — after getting married and having four wonderful children — I felt called to pursue veterinary medicine. I completed my Veterinary Assistant certification through Animal Behavior College (2000–2022) and completed my internship at Best Friends Animal Hospital, where I now proudly work as a Veterinary Technician and Groomer.

Why I Chose This Profession

I love working with animals of all kinds and helping them in any way I can. My past experiences — from marine life to companion pets — have shown me the joy and fulfillment that comes from advocating for animals and being part of their care. Veterinary medicine allows me to blend hands-on animal work, continuous learning, and meaningful service to pets and their families.

My Favorite Part of My Job

Some of my favorite aspects of veterinary care include assisting with surgeries and performing dental cleanings, where I can directly contribute to improving a pet’s health and comfort. I also truly enjoy getting to know our clients and building relationships with their pets.

But my favorite part of all is seeing both pets and owners calm, reassured, and happy before, during, and after their visit. Providing excellent care, education, and genuine support to each family is something I value deeply.

Personal Hobbies and Interests

Outside of work, I am blessed with four amazing kids and love spending as much time with them as I can. I also enjoy traveling, paddle boarding, reading at the beach, and staying active — especially through Krav Maga.

At home, our family includes quite a variety of pets:

• Ziva, our sweet and loving 11-year-old German Shepherd
• Evan, a hungry bayou turtle
• Willow and Louie, our friendly budgies
• Martin, our shy lizard
• And a fish tank full of hungry fish