- October 2021
Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT)
College of Veterinary Medicine
Animal Health Center
Years in Position: 2 years in ICU; 5 years community veterinary services
Years at MSU: 7 years
Lora Leigh Patridge is passionate about teaching students enrolled in the veterinary and veterinary technician programs at the College of Veterinary Medicine.
As a certified veterinary technician, Patridge is responsible for assisting veterinarians with patients and performing various technical health procedures, including handling animals, drawing blood, and giving medication.
“After working at a veterinary clinic, I knew that this was what I wanted to do the rest of my life,” she said. “I knew I wanted to help animals.”
The job can be stressful, pointing out that animals who need care aren’t always perfect patients. That’s why she says patience is an important trait for certified veterinary technicians. That patience should be paired with good training as well.
In fact, her favorite aspect of the job is watching her students take on the skills that she has taught them and use them throughout their learning opportunities at CVM and during externships.
“It brings me a lot of joy to have a student come by and say, “’Mrs. Lora Leigh, you remember how you taught me to hold the cat when we are drawing blood? It worked so well! They asked where I learned that, and I told them our cat whispering technician at school.’” she said.
Patridge has been married for 6 years, and has a 4-year-old son and another little boy on the way in October! She also loves to read, deer hunt, and collect old books and antiques in her spare time.
