| Animal Health Technologists |
Cinda Brown
Hi! My name is Cinda Brown and I am a graduate of the St. James Assiniboia Veterinary Assistant program & The Thompson Rivers University AHT Program. Animals have always been a big part of my life while I was growing up, with cage pets, a snake and several dogs and cats usually underfoot. My own pets included my Arabian horses, and an Irish Setter who was with me for 14 years. Now I have an 22 year old black cat named “Bear” who was rescued about 6 years ago, and a 4 year old Calico named “Calleigh” whose mission is to make sure Bear gets lots of exercise and our newest addition "Bali" a 5 year old Balinese.
One of the most exciting things about working with Best Friends Animal Hospital is the wide variety of pets that we see. I look forward to getting to know you and your furry, scale-y, prickly or feathered family!
Tara Olafson
My name is Tara Olafson. I have been animal crazy all my life. I grew up on a farm in Manitoba’s Interlake and I was always surrounded by animals. Whether it was cows, horses, chickens, or the “zoo” of dogs, cats, hamsters, rabbits, fish, turtles or birds, I have raised all of them as pets.
I have always had a soft spot for the animals that needed care and attention, which led me to my career as an Animal Healthy Technologist. I graduated in June 2004 with honours from Red River College and joined the Best Friends team.
Two years ago I adopted Trix; a chihuahua-papillon cross. She is a small dog with a big attitude. I am enjoying having my first dog on my own and am learning a lot. She has become a wonderful addition to my family.
I love helping our wonderful clients care for and raise their; furry, feathery or scaled family members. I look forward to meeting you and your animal.
Elise Proctor-Leader
My name is Elise Proctor-Leader. I have been working at Best Friends Animal Hospital for over 1 year now. I graduated from the St. James School Division as a Veterinary Office Assistant.
I have always been passionate about working with animals which had led me to Thailand to volunteer for the 'Wildlife Friends of Thailand' at their wildlife center, in March - May 2008.
Having worked so closely with a variety of different species at the WFFT center from elephants to squirrels and then returning to work at Best Friends which cares for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and all the furry fuzzy cage pets has been amazing and it is such a wonderful experience and such an enjoyable workplace!!
I have a keen interest in reptiles. At home I have 3 bearded dragons - 'Zinnia' 'Electra' & 'Yoshi', 1 goldfish - 'Katie' and my HuskyXShepherd named 'Buddy', and they all really keep me going!
Crystal Miller
Hello! My name is Crystal Miller. I have been working at Best Friends Animal Hospital since September 2008 as a Veterinary Assistant. I graduated with honours from the Veterinary Hospital Assistant course at Robertson College in June 2008.
I was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario and moved to Winnipeg shortly after my high school graduation in 2003. Winnipeg has been wonderful to me (minus the insanely cold & hot weather!) I have met many wonderful people and have found this amazing job at Best Friends. I am so lucky to have a job that keeps me smiling and am happy to come to everyday.
At home I have a beautiful 6 year old Border Collie, German Shepherd cross named "Seven", 2 degus and I am always looking to extend my "family". I only wish I could adopt every animal in need of a good home.
Tanyss Robertson
My name is Tanyss Robertson and I am a veterinary assistant at Best Friends Animal Hospital. I have been a veterinary assistant for 14 years. After 15 yrs in retail sales I decided I needed a new challenge. I took a medical office administrative course and 1 month before I graduated I received an offer to join the team at Winrose Animal Hospital, where I was a client with my own pets.
I was always impressed by the staff‘s dedication to the pets and how well they worked as a team. At that time Dr. McQuade owned the practice along with a partner. I was able to apply my new skills and learn much more from the doctors and staff.
The most exciting thing about being a veterinary assistant is the constant variety of the field. Veterinary medicine advances all the time. We are presented many opportunities to learn and apply better care for our patients.
I have been with Best Friends Animal Hospital for 3 yrs. Some of my responsibilities include maintaining the inventory in the hospital, client education, patient care, kissing all the pets and harassing all the staff. My own 2 pets are Flippy Doo, a 12yr old golden retriever and Roo a 9 yr old corgi cross who I adopted from a friend when she was unable to take them to England. I am very privileged to have them in my family.
Nicole Thevenot 
Hi, my name is Nicole Thevenot. I graduated from the Veterinary Office Assistant Course, taken at Roberston College in 2007. I started working at Best Friends in Dec. 2008. I have always been an animal lover and have grown up with many pets of my own. I currently own 2 cats; Shadow and Tigger, and I also own 2 dogs; Tik and Bailey. Tik is an 8 year old Lab and Bailey is a 3 year old Bull Mastiff cross. Tik and Bailey both love to join me on my walks, outside of work. I also enjoy spending my time camping, swimming, entertaining and anything else that involves being outside!
