Lena is a newer addition to the OVG team, having been with us for nearly five months now. However, she's been in the field for 3.5 years not. She graduated from Carrington College with her AS and has her certification in canine and feline massage from the Holistic Life Institute.

What is your favorite part about your job? Learning new skills. I also love seeing a patient with health problems improve same day or over time.

If you could be an animal for a day, what animal would you choose to be and why? An octopus. They are intelligent and curious. I think it would be amazing to cruise around the ocean all day, drift with the current, and find delicious snacks.

You can only eat one dish for every meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) for a whole month; what meal are you choosing? I’m not much of a meal person, I like to snack and graze. So anything charcuterie-ish. Cheese is my main food group.

Who would you say is the best dressed employee when you're not all wearing scrubs? (Yes, you can vote yourself!) Trent, hands down. And Mowgli

Favorite dog breed and why? Irish wolfhound, they are majestic and always seem serene

Favorite cat breed and why? Selkirk Rex, they are curly and ridiculous. I’ve only met a couple in person, but they act more like dogs.

You're stranded on an island for a month; what 4 things are you bringing with you?2

 Sunscreen, books, SheRa and music.

If you had to take one coworker from OVG with you, who would you take and why? Halley. She has been a ray of sunshine and one of the most genuine people I’ve met. She is also hilarious and wicked smart.

What is your favorite season of the year and why? Early spring, everything is in bloom, waterfalls are still full, and it’s not too hot.

What is your favorite responsibility/task/procedure to perform at work? Abscess repair, wound care, 1 or 2-stage dentals. It’s hard to pick one favorite.

What is your number one tip you have for pet owners? It can be anything from care tips, treat/food recommendations, tips before vet visits, etc. Socialize your dogs as much as possible. Get them familiar with different environments, people, and sounds.

Which Hogwarts House would you be in and why? Hufflepuff. I am loyal to a fault, I want everyone to feel included and acknowledged, I have a strong work ethic, and I am always looking for ways to improve myself.

What's your go to Starbucks drink? Cold brew with half and half.

What made you go into the veterinary medicine field for your career? I remember being super young and telling my mom I would be a veterinarian or trainer. Life got crazy, but I finally got the opportunity to go back to school and knew vet med was the way to go. Animal medicine is way more interesting to me than human medicine.

What pets do you have at home? (breed & name) SheRa - Malinois Leroy - Dutch Shepherd Frosty - DSH (dumpster cat) Arwen - DLH (dumpster cat) Chaka - DMH (parking lot giveaway) Mitty - DMH (parking lot giveaway) Leonard Nemoy - leopard gecko

Which OVG core value do you most embody and why? (Passionate, genuine, collaborative, fun, respectful) I’d have to say genuine. What you see is what you get. I’m an open book and enjoy helping others.

What are you most looking forward to in the new hospital? More growth as a team.

What is your idea of the perfect day off? Going for a long hike, swimming under a waterfall, coming home to a nice hot shower and eating delicious food.

If you could travel to anywhere in the world where would you go and why? Ireland, New Zealand, Thailand. Pretty much anywhere green

Who would you consider your biggest mentor/inspiration in your career? Why? I honestly don’t have a single person who would be my go to. The majority of people I’ve met in this field have inspired me and helped me in some way. I still continue to learn something new, almost daily, from coworkers, friends and people I follow on social media.