Sanbornton woman named NH Vet Tech of the Year

CONCORD — Heidi Miller of Sanbornton was recently named New Hampshire Veterinary Technician of the Year. Miller is a technician at VCA Capital Area Veterinary Emergency and Specialty where she's worked for six year, and serves as the radioactive iodine treatment coordinator.

“I knew I wanted to work in veterinary medicine when I started job shadowing at a local veterinary hospital my senior year in high school. I've had the companionship of animals since I was old enough to walk. I've always been science-minded, combining that with a love of helping animals and this was my calling. I had a wonderful mentor at this vet hospital who had faith in me, and encouraged me to go to college and pursue veterinary medicine," Miller said.

She studied at Becker College in Leicester, Mass., in the pre-vet bachelor's program in 2009. She earned an associate's degree in veterinary science and was a member of the women's NCAA Division III basketball team for four years. She worked summers at various companion animal hospitals, as well as interning at an animal shelter, zoo and sheep farm. She applied and was accepted to veterinary school at Ross University, but decided it was financially feasible.

"I started working in general practice after graduation and found myself six months later wanting to learn more. I left and went to SNHVRH where I worked in the surgery department and learned a tremendous amount in the two years I worked there. It was then that I decided internal medicine was a better fit for me and went to VCA CAVES. I've been at CAVES for six years now, where I've worked primarily in internal medicine, but also dermatology, emergency and anesthesia, and am now the i131 coordinator," Miller continued.

Her passion is small animal internal medicine, and she has hopes of someday becoming a veterinary technical specialist. "I thoroughly enjoy learning about pathophysiology, anatomy and how it relates to certain disease processes. I also enjoy educating and working with clients to try and manage their pets' problems. Giving them extra quality time is priceless."

Outside work Miller enjoys spending time outside, hiking mountains or through the woods, snowshoeing in the winter, and swimming with black lab Willow and husband Scott. "I am very lucky to be able to have a job where I can continually learn and also share that with those around me," she said.