Lindsay Anderson B.A., V.O.A.
Julie Dams V.O.A., Assistant Manager
Megan Hasselbach, V.O.A.
Savanna Kehler, V.O.A.
Sonal Prasad, V.O.A
Babal Sanghera, V.O.A.
Ashleigh White, V.O.A.

About the Veterinary Office Assistant (VOA) Team

by Lindsay Anderson, B.A., VOA

Working as a VOA at the Vancouver Animal Emergency Clinic (VAEC) means we never know what will happen on our shift. Our job is often described as the front line because we are usually the first people to know what emergency is due to arrive. We are there even when "surprise" emergencies enter our front door. That makes triaging patients (deciding who needs immediate medical attention) a large and important part of our job. We are trained to recognize or listen for certain symptoms that indicate the need for immediate attention by the medical staff. Whether we perform triage by telephone or in person, we are able to get the patient to our emergency veterinarian and medical support team quickly.

Sometimes we act as a messenger between the veterinary staff and the pet owner. When a pet with a serious emergency arrives, the VOA rushes the patient to the treatment area where the medical staff can start working. During the time the patient is undergoing assessment and supportive treatment, the patient and the client are separated for a brief time. The VOA on duty acts as a liaison between the veterinarian (who cannot leave the patient) and the client. We gather important information about the patient as well as help the owner during a stressful time.

Our role on the telephone is another important service VAEC provides. We speak to concerned callers; we gather as much pertinent information as we can about the situation. Many questions can be answered right away, but others require the input of the veterinarian on duty. Since the veterinarians often have their hands too busy to come to the phones themselves, we relay as much advice as we can from them to the caller.

Naturally, our job consists of organizing and filing paperwork, faxing, checking in and discharging patients, answering phones, and various multi-tasking. However, it is the knowledge that every day is unpredictable at the clinic and that our work is helping families and pets in their greatest time of need that makes working at VAEC a truly unique experience.

Lindsay Anderson

Born and raised in the USA, Lindsay came to us from Seattle, WA in 2005. Her prior work with the Humane Society prepared her well as one of our full time Veterinary Office Assistants. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at UBC in 2007and has been a part of our front line team since 2008. Her interests within the veterinary field include management, genetics and emergency and critical care. Her future plans are to pursue a career related to clinic management in either veterinary or human medicine. She enjoys being a part of the team here at VAEC for its supportive environment.
In her free time, Lindsay’s interests include researching genealogy, photography, scrap booking and computers. She also enjoys collecting all things Marilyn Monroe! She and her husband have 3 cats Leche, Moustasha and Mep, along with Stella, their Lab x Rottweiler adult puppy.

“I dwell in possibility” - Emily Dickinson

Julie Dams

Julie, a true Vancouverite focused on biology and art history at UVIC. When she reminisces about the rich diversity of interesting things to do here she can’t imagine living anywhere else. She came to VAEC in 1997 after looking for a position in which she could truly make a difference contributing to the well being of both people and animals. After many years as a VOA, Julie is now our Assistant Manager. She enjoys the work here for the diversity of cases, the flexibility for quality time off and the intensity that ensures that there is rarely a dull moment. She loves “the Team” here at VAEC and her calming presence keeps all of sane! Julie’s most satisfying moments are from innately believing in upholding our Philosophy of Practice, and how that so often results in animals going home with happy families.

In her spare time, Julie loves drawing, painting, photography, and meditation.

Julie has one feline “room-mate”, a sweet diabetic cat named Kilby. 

“Happiness never decreases by being shared” – Buddha

Megan Hasselbach

Megan began her career in veterinary medicine over a decade ago as a kennel attendant while she was still in high school.  She felt that it was an awesome experience to have such a meaningful part time job at such a young age. Throughout college, she worked at family veterinary clinics in various capacities as both a technician’s assistant as well as a veterinary office assistant.

In 2003, Megan joined the VAEC team. She enjoys the fast pace of emergency medicine and the challenges that it presents. Megan has continued to grow as a valued team member, and is known as always being “calm, cool and collected.”

“One of the things I enjoy most as a VOA is the interaction with clients and being able to help make a stressful or difficult situation easier.”

Megan is a native Vancouverite. She shares her home with her husband, 2 cats, and her doggie daughter, Olive.

Savanna Kehler

Savanna's goal has always been to work with animals and the people that love them.  To this end, she trained at the Granville Business College, and has worked as a Veterinary Office Assistant ever since.  We were very lucky to have had Savanna join our team when she decided to move here from Vancouver Island in 2010.  She particulary enjoys life at AnimalER because she is able to help people when they need it the most.  Seeing wildlife set back on the road to wellness and rehabilitation is an added bonus! 

Savanna's "extended family" includes a  year old “frug” (French Bulldog/Pug) named “Frankie Biggs Jr.”, a Whippet Mix named “Olive Juice” and her rescue kitten, “Beyonce Knowles”. 

Sonal Prasad

Sonal has been caring for clients and their pets as a VAEC Veterinary Office Assistant since August 2006.  Always smiling and friendly, it is clear she really enjoys working with people and animals and is right at home “on the front lines” at VAEC.   “To have workmates who are compassionate and dedicated to these beautiful creatures and their loving families, humbles and amazes me”.  In Sonal’s “other life”, she is studying towards an Associate Science degree in Chemistry.  Living with 2 crazy yorkies, Bailey and Bella “they like to bite my toes when I put on socks – OUCH!”, Sonal spends her downtime curled up with a good book, bushwalking or window-shopping.

Babal Sanghera

Hailing from Terrace, BC, Babal began her career in the veterinary industry 7 years ago and has been a valuable member of our Veterinary Office Assistant team since October 2005.  She loves the variety of animals that she can help at VAEC, especially wildlife and exotics.  Babal is absolutely smitten with “Henry”, the 2 year old Devon Rex cat she adopted from a shelter in the lower mainland.

“A person who has never owned a cat has missed a wonderful part of life.”  Unknown

Ashleigh White

Our newest member of the VOA team, Ashleigh will be updating her biography in the very near future!  Stay tuned…