Joy Willis

I graduated as a Registered Veterinary Technologist from Olds College in 2018 and started my career in a rural mixed animal practice. I loved the routine of general practice but craved the excitement and demand of working in emergency medicine, so I made the switch to SAVE in July 2020.

Since joining the team, I am thrilled to be able to expand my knowledge and skillset to the furthest aspects of my scope of practice. Since becoming the Team Lead RVT in 2022, I have been able to teach and mentor those skills to all our new grads who come through the hospital. I chose the veterinary field for the same reason as most - to make a difference in every animal’s life, and I strive for that goal every day.

My favourite aspects of my job relate directly to patient care and developing my skill set, especially encouraging safe anesthetics for every patient, how to respond and treat emergent situations, comfortable hospital stays, and giving as many cuddles as needed. Additionally, I have a lot of interest in diagnostic imaging, especially with our CT scanner.

My passion for education led me to Kenya in 2020, where I had the opportunity to teach dairy farmers in Meru about various aspects of dairy herd health and production with Vets Without Borders.

Outside of work, I spend my time with my fiancé, Mark, and our two fur children - Alfie, a Great Dane x Great Pyrenees, and Carrots, our brown tabby (no, he’s not orange). They often join me at the hospital, either contributing to the learning environment or generously donating blood to help other animals.