VMC spotlight: Hannah Foley
Position
Veterinary technician assistant in primary care Joined the VMC March 2024
Before the VMC
Hannah worked as a veterinary technician at Mission Animal Hospital for almost six years.
Why was she interested in working at the VMC?
Hannah was interested in “the amazing collaboration with the specialty departments and being able to get the patient cared for in every way under one roof. Also, just having a space full of such knowledge and resources. Everyone is always learning here.”
Education
Hannah earned her Bachelor of Science degree in geography and public health from the University of Minnesota.
Born and raised
Madison, Wisconsin. Hannah moved to Minnesota in 2009.
First paying job
Working as a file clerk at the University of Minnesota.
Current home
Shoreview
Family
Levi, her almost 5-year-old son. “He is the light of my life and my best friend.”
Pets
Hannah has a “herd” of rescue animals, including—
Daisy-Mae, a 9-year-old red-nose American staffy mix. “She was my first rescue dog and the sweetest thing,” Hannah says. “She is my son’s absolute best friend. She is afraid of life, but she still continues to be a sweet cuddle bug at home.”
Pepper, a “beautifully unique 10-12-year-old pit bull terrier mix who I adopted last year after she was found as a stray. She is the most gentle and loving dog considering what she has been through.”
Pippin, Hannah’s 9-year-old domestic shorthair soul mate. “He cuddles in my arms every night and has been with me through everything. He was my first cat and got me absolutely obsessed with them.”
Hannah with Pippin and Finn Finn, a 7-year-old domestic longhair cat, AKA the purr machine, who frequents the VMC’s cardiology service for his hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Omen, a 3-year-old domestic shorthair cat who is a blood donor at the U. “He is my newest, youngest member and the perfect addition to my ‘herd.’”
Squeaks, a 6-year-old domestic longhair cat “who loves to scream for food more than any animal you have ever met. Even though he is annoying, we love him.”
Hobbies and interests
When not working extra shifts at the VMC and Mission Animal Hospital, Hannah loves to read, spend time with her family, go to concerts, foster, work at trap-neuter-return clinics in the metro, and garden with her mother. She is also a huge Minnesota Wild hockey fan and tries to go to at least 10 games a year.
Favorite movies
The Lord of the Rings trilogy. She probably watches them all once a month.
Favorite types of reading material
Horror/thriller and dark romance. Silence of the Lambs is one of her comfort books.
Favorite foods
Mexican food with an extra-large margarita on the rocks.
Favorite part of her job
Being able to not only build a special relationship with patients, but also the owners.
VMC values she most connects with
Respect and service
What does she do to stay positive every day?
Hannah tries to remind herself that no matter what happens today, she made a difference to someone, and tomorrow is always another opportunity to improve.
If she won the lottery. . .
She would buy her family a home with enough land for goats and a garden and help cover emergency veterinary costs for clients that need the assistance. She would also foster and rescue all the pitty mixes she could and give them the most spoiled life—and all the Cytopoint (a prescription injection that treats allergic itching and skin problems) they required.
Looking forward to
Exploring more breweries this summer. “I try to explore at least 20 a season.”
On her bucket list
Going back to tech school, getting licensed, and trying to specialize in emergency services
Most people don’t know. . .
Hannah used to spend her summers working for the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco doing necropsies on deceased marine mammals, including sea otters, Steller sea lions, dolphins, sea lions, harbor seals, and grey whales. “We would try and determine cause of death and record everything to keep records for the state. My favorite necropsy was the grey whale that washed up on a beach due to a boat strike.”
What advice would she give her younger self?
“Breathe. Things happen that are out of your control. Focus on what you can do and don’t hyper-focus on what you cannot change.”
Contact Hannah
Email [email protected]
