Coaxing a reluctant retriever onto the scale, teaching an eight-year-old how to clean her cat's teeth - it's all in a day's work for Cheryl Martin. As an Animal Health Technician, Cheryl divides her day between the reception desk, where she greets and sometimes comforts pets and their owners, and the behind-the-scenes area, where she does the technical and maintenance work to help keep those animals in good health.


Many Animal Health Technicians work in laboratories at universities, veterinary colleges, and private research centres. Though she’s worked in similar environments in the past, Cheryl, 35, now does much the same work with veterinarian Caroline Simard at the Clinique Vétérinaire Monkland, in a residential area of Montreal. "Caroline explains everything to me and we do it together. I’m in charge of ordering medical supplies for the clinic, welcoming clients at the reception desk, and opening client files. I do all the testing, such as urinalysis and stool analysis, and prepare blood samples. I assist in surgery, clean up afterwards, sterilize surgical kits and supplies, and administer treatments." Then there are the maintenance chores: cleaning cages, washing floors, and refilling food and water dishes for boarding animals.

Cheryl and her boss both have their preferences: "I’d rather fight with a huge dog with a muzzle, and Caroline would rather deal with cats." Cheryl particularly enjoys the technical aspects of the job, such as researching animal diseases. Her e-mail moniker is Eubie, for a Persian cat who died of an enlarged heart. "It was very sad, but I learned all about that condition. I’m always learning new things." Euthanizing animals is a big part of the job. "It’s not pleasant, but when an animal is really sick, it has to be done. It’s totally painless. They literally go to sleep."

"With every animal that comes in, I meet a new person. I love to help someone start out with a new puppy or kitten. I love my job! And I really enjoy the people in the neighbourhood," says Cheryl.