Natalie

Started at Den Herder Vet: 2016
Where I’m From: Janesville, Iowa
Family: My parents, Dan and Wendy Brace and two older brothers, Luke and Tyler.
Current Pets: Currently I have 3 dogs: Merlin, a 10-year-old Terrier mix. Raye, a 3-year-old Shih Tzu, and Jack a 6-year-old (very) mixed breed. I also have one cat, a 4-year-old DLH whose name happens to be Cat.

One piece of pet advice: Fostering is harder than you think. Ask Jack and Raye! (both foster fails). Also, be patient with new adoptions, it takes both you and your new pet time to form a new routine with each other. It will be worth it in the end!
Afraid of any animals? Snakes and little reptiles that move really fast.
What’s the farthest away from Waterloo you’ve ever been? Jamaica

What do you do for the DHVH team?
Here at DHVH I do a little bit of everything. During my first two years at Den Herders I was cross trained and worked as both a veterinary assistant and receptionist. I am now a Registered Veterinary Technician through the program at Kirkwood. I assist the doctors with surgeries, monitoring and treating hospitalized patients, and much, much more.

Any pet challenges at home?
The biggest pet challenge I have at home is with my newest rescue Jack. He gets into everything and anything the second you turn around. However he has made it much easier for me to keep my house clean!

Craziest or most unusual thing you’ve seen on the job?
Either the dog that ate a the pin cushion with 8 sewing needles still in it or the tiny screech owl that was hit with a chainsaw! (Both are alive and well thanks to our amazing doctors.)

What’s something about yourself that might surprise others?
In the summer months, I play slow pitch softball 3-5 nights a week and in the winter I watch too much Netflix. (I have seen every season of Grey’s Anatomy more times than I’d like to admit.)

What’s something new you have learned recently?
Not to be afraid of the unknown. Everything works out for a reason, life is so much more fun when it isn’t spent worrying about things out of your control. Be kind, and choose whatever makes you happy.