Andrew Burton
ICU Technician, Veterinary Teaching Hospital
When did you join the veterinary college?
March 2022
What is your role at the veterinary college?
I am a small animal ICU technician
The best part of being at VMCVM…
Watching our future veterinarians grow and advance their clinical skills
Best advice I’ve gotten…
If you make a mistake, own up to it. People would rather know when something is wrong when it can still be fixed. And it’s never an incorrect time to ask a question, even if you think it’s stupid. I try to remind students of these on a regular basis
My hidden talent…
Spicy cat whisperer, also Angie (my wife) says understanding cricket
A person who has inspired me…
Nelson Mandela, who showed the world that being a decent person is possible despite your circumstances
Can you share a memorable experience or story from your time working with animals?
At the practice I started at, we had a patient that came in with full body paralysis and initially the doctors where unable to diagnose. But with the perseverance and care of his owners, and diligence of the doctors, he was diagnosed with meningitis. Watching him make a full recovery and seeing him return to the clinic over several years is always a reminder of why we do what we do
If I had a superpower, it would be…
The ability to stop needless suffering, and to know when animals are suffering beyond anything we are able to do
If you could magically grant an animal the ability to talk, which one would you choose and what do you think it would say?
My basset Petunia, who we lost recently, more peppers, please!
A cause I’m most passionate about…
Giving our patients as fear-free of an environment as possible
Favorite way to end the day…
Sitting at home on the deck with Angie watching the sunset with a glass of wine
Top of my bucket list…
I’ve always wanted to work with large cats
My favorite quote…
“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, stepping out your front door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.” Bilbo Baggins – The Lord of the Rings
If you could communicate with animals for a day, what would you ask them?
To the animals that are in pain, “What can I do to help you?” To those that are scared, “What about what we are doing is scary, and how can we change that and help you?”
How many pets/animals live at home? Can you tell us about them?
We have 4 cats: Apollo (our fluffy orange elder statesmen), Liz and Ruth (Sisters), and Phoebe Squeaks the terror kitten. And 2 dogs Eddie Alan, a pittie, and Gustavus Falkor, a lab mix with who knows what. Both active, adventure-seeking young pups
Anything else to add?
I am privileged to share my home with wife Angie and two wonderful daughters Lainie and Stella. I am originally from South Africa. I grew up with dogs and cats, and often visited the beautiful national parks with my family, and this instilled a deep love for animals and the outdoors within me. When not at work you can find me in the woods either on my bike or on foot.
Contact:
540-231-9005
