Staff Spotlight: Kris Wagher
October 17, 2023
Kris Wagher, LVT
Internal Medicine Licensed Veterinary Technician
When did you join the veterinary college?
2021
What is your role at the veterinary college?
Internal Medicine Licensed Veterinary Technician
The best part of being at VMCVM...
I work with some amazing clinicians and I learn something new from them every single day - they're my "work family".
Best advice I've gotten...
Do not put the key to your happiness in anyone else's pocket. You are responsible for all of your days - good or bad, you make the choice.
How would you capture the essence of your work in a newspaper headline?
EXTRA EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT - LVT captures the essence of learning through chocolate and humor!
A person who has inspired me...
I am so grateful to have an amazingly supportive family - so I have THREE people in my life who keep me going - My husband, Scott, my oldest son, Logan, and my son, Devin - their patience, support and love keep me humble and blessed.
What do you find most inspiring or fulfilling about working with students and helping them pursue their careers?
It is incredibly rewarding to help the students develop their skills through positive encouragement and a celebration of every win - no matter how big or small!
One misconception that all students seem to have is?
That we expect you to know everything about everything on clinicals - we don't! We want you to prepare and expand your knowledge - it's okay to have the wrong answer but the first step is to just speak up in the first place.
If I had a superpower, it would be...
Time travel! Can you imagine how many places you could visit in just a weekend?
If you could magically grant an animal the ability to talk, which one would you choose and what do you think it would say?
I would love to have a full on conversation with my big derpy Golden Lab, Gunnar. I know he has a lot of feelings and much to say! :)
A cause I'm most passionate about...
The Veterinary Nurse Initiative (veterinarynurse.org) Transitioning to one standard title recognition of Registered Veterinary Nurse -This initiative is designed to provide the highest quality care, improve public relations, and enhance the sustainability of our role in the veterinary profession.
Favorite way to end the day...
I love to sit on the deck, with my critters and my family listening to music by the fire watching the sun go down.
Top of my bucket list...
I would love to travel to Greece one day.
My favorite quote...
Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
If you could communicate with animals for a day, what would you ask them?
On a scale of 1 - 10, how much do you hate the weird voices people use when talking to you?
How many pets/animals live at home? Can you tell us about them?
4 cats - Nigel (flamepoint ragdoll), Inara (domestic short hair), Sophie(longhaired torie), and Gretel (brown tabby)
3 dogs- Gunnar - (yellow lab mix), Snickers (jack russell terrier) Chiquita Rose (longhaired chihuahua)
Anything else to add?
Life is too short to spend it angry or with people who don't make you feel good. I like being around positive people who like to laugh and joke.
