Lynn Henderson avec un chien berger allemand

Lynn Henderson (she/her)

Veterinarian, Clinician, and College Professor

Ontario Veterinary College

Created On: May 18, 2022
Sector:
Business, Management, and Administration,  Healthcare
Education Pathway: University
Related School Subjects:
Biology,  Anatomy,  Zoology,  Chemistry,  Family Studies,  Health,  Math,  Science
Readability:
8.8

Learn About My Career

I am a small animal veterinarian serving animal health in a variety of capacities.

I was born/grew up in: Winnipeg, Manitoba

I now live in: Alliston, Ontario

I completed my training/education at: I have a Bachelor of Science (Major Ecology), University of Toronto, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine,  Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, and a Master of Education, Ontario Institute for Studies of Education, University of Toronto.

The majority of my professional career has involved clinical small animal medical practice. This means the hands-on work of treating dogs and cats at a veterinary hospital. I see a mixture of both healthy pets and animals in need of specialized treatments. For healthy pets, this includes providing vaccinations, deworming, or other preventive measures to help them remain healthy. For sick animals in need of treatment, they have a variety of issues including vomiting, lameness, or wounds.

In my daily tasks, I use a lot of specialized chemistry and biology knowledge. I also use math in my calculations for prescribing medications safely. Using my knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pharmacology (the study of medicines), I first diagnose diseases and other issues. I then create a plan moving forward. Much of my time is spent educating clients about my findings and how they can contribute to their pet's care moving forward. To do this, I use my detailed understanding of the disease or issue.

I work as part of a team within the hospital. This includes the reception staff who deal with clients. It also includes the veterinary technicians (nurses) assisting with patient care and procedures. I also work part-time as a college-professor. In this role, I teach veterinary technician students the fundamental skills needed to enter the work force.

I have had animals throughout my life. However, I did not really consider veterinary medicine as a career until I entered university. I always assumed I would not be able to be around blood, or surgery. When I began to study biological sciences, I realized that understanding how these systems works changes the perception from 'gross' or 'scary' to fascinating, and awe-inspiring.  I realized I could totally do it!

The road to becoming a veterinarian is a long one. You must complete 2 to 4 years of preparatory undergraduate work in the arts and sciences before you can be admitted to veterinary college. Once admitted to vet school, it is another4 years. I spent time with many veterinarians and volunteered my time. I was purposefully trying on the career to be sure I felt it was for me. This is always an opportunity at veterinary hospitals for students who are motivated and willing to work hard. I found volunteering often led to paid-work after a time!

The main challenges in this career are balancing work and life demands. The need for animal care is always large. A veterinarian acting out of love for animals and kindness for humans is at risk of over-working if he/she does not set personal boundaries. This is a lesson we all learn in time. We need to make time for ourselves and our loved ones outside of work. This makes us better at our job when we return.

Animals have a wonderful energy and bring me happiness and joy, even on tough days. The decisions involved in working up a disease process can feel like solving a puzzle. While it is often difficult, it is incredibly rewarding to realize you have solved it! This leads to a happier animal and human family. I enjoy trying to make each veterinary visit as easy and kind as possible, for both the animals and the people. Each are often nervous and can be made comfortable by kindness, and an effort to engage with their individual needs.

Animals are incredibly important to families! They contribute to mental health and wellness. The tough decisions surrounding caring for an animal can be emotional. This means that I need to have a strong relationship with my clients and build trust, so we can work together to care for their pet.

I enjoy writing, cooking, and bonfires with my family. I am an active swimmer as well as a country music singer/songwriter.

Get out there and get some experience! This will help you to try the job on to see if it is a fit for you. Also, it  is needed for applications to veterinary school.

What I do at work

The majority of my professional career has involved clinical small animal medical practice. This means the hands-on work of treating dogs and cats at a veterinary hospital. I see a mixture of both healthy pets and animals in need of specialized treatments. For healthy pets, this includes providing vaccinations, deworming, or other preventive measures to help them remain healthy. For sick animals in need of treatment, they have a variety of issues including vomiting, lameness, or wounds.

In my daily tasks, I use a lot of specialized chemistry and biology knowledge. I also use math in my calculations for prescribing medications safely. Using my knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pharmacology (the study of medicines), I first diagnose diseases and other issues. I then create a plan moving forward. Much of my time is spent educating clients about my findings and how they can contribute to their pet's care moving forward. To do this, I use my detailed understanding of the disease or issue.

I work as part of a team within the hospital. This includes the reception staff who deal with clients. It also includes the veterinary technicians (nurses) assisting with patient care and procedures. I also work part-time as a college-professor. In this role, I teach veterinary technician students the fundamental skills needed to enter the work force.

My career path is

I have had animals throughout my life. However, I did not really consider veterinary medicine as a career until I entered university. I always assumed I would not be able to be around blood, or surgery. When I began to study biological sciences, I realized that understanding how these systems works changes the perception from 'gross' or 'scary' to fascinating, and awe-inspiring.  I realized I could totally do it!

The road to becoming a veterinarian is a long one. You must complete 2 to 4 years of preparatory undergraduate work in the arts and sciences before you can be admitted to veterinary college. Once admitted to vet school, it is another4 years. I spent time with many veterinarians and volunteered my time. I was purposefully trying on the career to be sure I felt it was for me. This is always an opportunity at veterinary hospitals for students who are motivated and willing to work hard. I found volunteering often led to paid-work after a time!

The main challenges in this career are balancing work and life demands. The need for animal care is always large. A veterinarian acting out of love for animals and kindness for humans is at risk of over-working if he/she does not set personal boundaries. This is a lesson we all learn in time. We need to make time for ourselves and our loved ones outside of work. This makes us better at our job when we return.

I am motivated by

Animals have a wonderful energy and bring me happiness and joy, even on tough days. The decisions involved in working up a disease process can feel like solving a puzzle. While it is often difficult, it is incredibly rewarding to realize you have solved it! This leads to a happier animal and human family. I enjoy trying to make each veterinary visit as easy and kind as possible, for both the animals and the people. Each are often nervous and can be made comfortable by kindness, and an effort to engage with their individual needs.

How I affect peoples’ lives

Animals are incredibly important to families! They contribute to mental health and wellness. The tough decisions surrounding caring for an animal can be emotional. This means that I need to have a strong relationship with my clients and build trust, so we can work together to care for their pet.

Outside of work I

I enjoy writing, cooking, and bonfires with my family. I am an active swimmer as well as a country music singer/songwriter.

My advice to others

Get out there and get some experience! This will help you to try the job on to see if it is a fit for you. Also, it  is needed for applications to veterinary school.

When I was a student I enjoyed:

  • Literature and language arts
  • Foods and Nutrition
  • Science

When I was a student, I would describe myself as someone who:

  • Brought people together
  • Always wanted to be outside
  • Organized activities for my friends
  • Played on a sports team
  • Was motivated by success
  • Liked being given free range to explore my ideas
  • Was really creative
  • Felt great satisfaction in getting good grades
  • Learned best “by doing”
  • Never wanted to be in the classroom

Related Topics

Animals Careers Health Careers 11 Health Careers 12 Medicine Teaching Veterinarian

Explore More Career Profiles

  • Brianna Lummerding à genoux près d’un cerceau en plastique collectant des échantillons dans un champ herbeux.

    Brianna Lummerding

    Career Profiles

    Agronomic Innovation Manager

    I look after all things related to soil management for a group of retailers.
    Learn More Brianna Lummerding
  • Li Tan, vêtu d'une blouse de laboratoire de couleur blanche, souriant dans son laboratoire.

    Li Tan (he/him)

    Career Profiles

    Molecular Lead

    I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab.
    Learn More Li Tan (he/him)
  • Tyler Mohard wearing lab coat and hair net as he works in the SyLMAND lab

    Tyler Morhart (video)

    Career Profiles

    Scientist, Beamline Responsible - SyLMAND

    I am responsible for the SyLMAND beamline at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron facility.
    Learn More Tyler Morhart (video)
  • Five people, each wearing a white lab coat, standing around a lab bench that has scientific equipment on it.

    Li Tan (Video)

    Career Profiles

    Molecular Lead

    I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab.
    Learn More Li Tan (Video)
  • portrait par Rashell Featherstone

    Rashell Featherstone (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Senior Program Associate

    I coordinate projects for the development of new products at STEMCELL.
    Learn More Rashell Featherstone (she/her)
  • Kira Hoffman portant un casque rouge avec de la fumée en arrière-plan

    Kira Hoffman (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Postdoctoral Researcher/Fire Ecologist

    I am a researcher at both a university and a not-for profit organization where I am gaining experience to become a senior researcher.
    Learn More Kira Hoffman (she/her)
  • Zoe Ehlert closely examining a plan that has yellow flowers

    Zoë Ehlert (Video)

    Career Profiles

    Manager, Marker Assisted Breeding

    I lead a team that develops canola crops by breeding plants with traits we are looking for.
    Learn More Zoë Ehlert (Video)
  • Daniel Meister headshot

    Daniel Meister

    Career Profiles

    Master's Student, Kinesiology

    Learn More Daniel Meister
  • Zoë Ehlert, vêtue d'une blouse de laboratoire blanche, pose une boîte en carton sur une étagère.

    Zoë Ehlert

    Career Profiles

    Manager, Marker Assisted Breeding

    I lead a team that develops canola crops by breeding plants with traits we are looking for.
    Learn More Zoë Ehlert
  • Jennifer Baltzer portant une casquette et un tee-shirt violet avec des arbres en arrière-plan.

    Jennifer Baltzer (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Professor and Canada Research Chair in Forests and Global Change

    I work at a university, teaching students and conducting research on the impact of climate change on forests in Canada and around the world.
    Learn More Jennifer Baltzer (she/her)
  • Caitlyn Lyons, prête pour la forêt avec son sac à dos et ses outils de collecte de données. La photo insérée montre Caitlyn examinant une section de gazon.

    Caitlyn Lyons (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Ph.D. Candidate

    I am working towards my PhD and studying the forests in the Northwest Territories.
    Learn More Caitlyn Lyons (she/her)
  • Joann Whalen headshot

    Joann Whalen

    Career Profiles

    Professor at the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,

    I teach advanced courses on how to manage soils to produce healthy, nutritious food and maintain healthy ecosystem functions.
    Learn More Joann Whalen