Veterinary Support
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Kat Kerstetter, LVT
Technician Supervisor
Kat Kerstetter, LVT
Veterinary Tech School: PIMA Medical Institute
Hometown
Kat grew up in the same home all her life with her two siblings and parents in Renton, WA.
Education/Experience
In high school, Kat�s first animal-related job was in hippotherapy (which promotes the use of the movement of a horse as a treatment strategy in physical, occupational and speech-language therapy sessions for people living with disabilities). She worked with the horses during the young children�s therapy and also afterwards, keeping them exercised and entertained. Knowing she was always meant to work with animals, Kat decided to enroll at PIMA Medical Institute in 2007. She graduated with her Veterinary Technician License in 2009 and has worked for VCA Bellevue ever since. Kat values the environment at VCA Bellevue, so it�s easy to love her job. Her favorite aspects of our practice are nutrition, behavior, working with pets that tend to be a bit of a challenge, and building relationships with clients and patients.
Hobbies
Kat is known as our resident movie-lover. She frequents the theater and has a very large, diverse collection of films. She also enjoys traveling--Delphi, Greece being one of her favorite places in the world.
Future goal
To make a difference, however small, in the lives of every pet she meets.
Pets
Kat has adopted two cats through VCA Bellevue: a Maine Coon mix named Jasper and a spunky domestic short hair, Sage, both 3 years old.
Favorite quote
"What is man without beasts? If all beasts were gone, men would die from great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to man."--Chief Seattle -
Veterinary Assistant
Chelsea Kennedy, CVA
School: PIMA Medical Institute, CVA
Hometown
Chelsea was born in Minnesota but moved to the Northwest before she was even a year old and has lived in Washington ever since. She grew up in Kirkland with her parents and younger brother and sister. Chelsea hopes to stay in the NW long term, because according to her, it’s the best place to live!
Education/Experience
Ever since she was a teen volunteering at a local animal shelter, Chelsea knew she wanted a career working with animals. While working as a shelter assistant at MEOW Cat Rescue in Kirkland, she enrolled in Pima Medical Institute's Veterinary Assistant Program and graduated in March of 2012. She has worked at VCA Bellevue ever since.
Hobbies
Chelsea enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading a good book, and taking her dog Riley to the local dog park.
Future Goal
Travel the world!
Pets
Chelsea has a 6 year old Schnoodle named Riley and a 2 year old rescue cat named Smokey Joe.
Favorite Quote
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
-Gandhi
