SANDRA EKLOF
Certified Veterinary Technician, Veterinary Technician Specialist (Anesthesia)
Years at UW Veterinary Care: 6
Explain your role at UW Veterinary Care (UWVC).
I work in the Anesthesia and Pain Management department, so I anesthetize patients to facilitate surgery and procedures as needed for all the other services in the hospital. We travel all over the hospital and work on patients from fish and rodents, to cats and dogs, to horses, goats, cows, and anything in between. I am also trained to work in the Critical Care Unit and enjoy working with the patients and staff there whenever I can.
What initially brought you to UWVC? / Why did you want to work here?
I initially came to UWVC in order to continue growing and learning as a veterinary technician, as well as to support myself better financially.
What do you find most rewarding about being a veterinary technician at the hospital?
I love the continual learning opportunities available at UWVC, as well as seeing veterinary students become more comfortable with their technical skills and clinical experience. We have state-of-the-art equipment and specialized veterinary staff to best serve our patients here.
What do you enjoy about the culture at UWVC?
I enjoy traveling to the different departments and interacting with so many different people every day.
What kinds of challenges do you face each day and why are they exciting to you?
Working with so many different people every day is also challenging, but has helped me grow a lot as a professional in my career. At times we need to get creative and think outside of the box in order to best serve our patients, and I love that we all work together in this pursuit. It is incredibly rewarding to see the animals recover from illness or injury and go home healthy and happy!
What is your proudest/happiest moment during your time at UWVC?
In 2017, I obtained my Veterinary Technician Specialty in Anesthesia and Pain Management, a two-year process that was intensive and challenging. I gained significant knowledge in anesthesia, physiology and disease processes, which helps me serve my patients better every day.
In three words, how would you describe the UW Veterinary Care team?
Dedicated, compassionate, and talented.
Do you have any pets at home?
I have three cats, aged 15-18 years, who I love coming home to every day. They keep me content and entertained at home. I also enjoy keeping aquariums and currently maintain four different aquariums. Most notably, I keep a brackish aquarium with a figure 8 puffer fish , as well as a 55-gallon planted community tank with carbon dioxide supplementation to keep the plants healthy.
What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
I’m an open book, so not much surprises people about me! I bought a small house two years ago and have grown into quite the home improvement hobbyist and landscaper.