VMC Spotlight: Olivia Ancel
Position
Veterinary technician assistant on the float team
Joined the VMC
September 2021. Olivia previously worked in the VMC’s customer contact center and as a student worker with the after-hours dispensary.
Before the VMC
Olivia was a veterinary assistant at Countryside Veterinary Services, a mixed-animal general practice clinic.
Why was she interested in working at the VMC?
Olivia wanted to gain more knowledge about veterinary medicine by interacting with a wide variety of staff, clients, and patients.
Education
Olivia earned her bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Minnesota. She is currently a DVM student at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.
Born and raised
Southington, Ohio
First paying job
Banquet hall waitress
Current home
Minneapolis
Family
Olivia has four siblings, including one older brother, one younger brother, and two older sisters.
Pet
Poppy, a 2-year-old pit bull/Australian shepherd mix “Poppy was abandoned at the VMC’s ER service since she had parvovirus,” Olivia says. “I adopted her from Jenn Andring—the best foster mom ever— and I have fallen in love with her since day one. She is very food-motivated, high-energy, and loves her new yard at our house. She even puts up with me practicing my physical exams on her. She is truly the best dog ever.”
Hobbies and interests
Olivia loves to read, take her dog for walks, explore the Twin Cities, and hike.
Favorite movie
Bohemian Rhapsody. Olivia loves Freddie Mercury.
Favorite books
A Court of Thorns and Roses, a fantasy romance series by Sarah J. Maas
Favorite foods
Mashed potatoes and Mexican food
Favorite part of her job
Interacting with each staff member and learning about
different opportunities. “Everyone is very willing to help and support me when needed.”
VMC value she most connects with
Learning. “I am on my journey to become a doctor,” Olivia explains. “All the doctors at the VMC, especially the ER doctors, are very happy to answer any questions I have and explain their train of thought to me. This helps improve my knowledge for school and as a future doctor.”
Most memorable case
Watching a displaced abomasum surgery on a farm call to a dairy farm. (A displaced abomasum occurs when the abomasum, a stomach compartment, moves out of its normal position. Displaced abomasum surgery aims to reposition the abomasum and prevent recurrence by suturing it to the body wall.) “It was very cool to hear and see how the senior veterinarian walked the new veterinarian through the surgery,” Olivia recalls.
What does she do to stay positive every day?
Olivia wakes up every day saying to herself “it is going to be a great day” instead of thinking about all the tasks she needs to complete that day.
If she won the lottery
Olivia would adopt all the senior animals she could and give them the best life possible.
Looking forward to
Graduating with her DVM degree in 2028
On her bucket list
Traveling to Africa and helping animals and wildlife in countries that are not as fortunate as ours.
Most people don’t know
Olivia loves Disney. She has been to Disney World six times and plans to go back there with her family for Christmas this year.
What advice would she give her younger self?
Never give up. All your hard work will pay off.
Contact Olivia
Email [email protected]
