I never really saw myself starting this particular business as a child. It was more so images of starting an animal rescue, a rehabilitation centre, a small zoo, a cattery, a doggy daycare! But all those things require space which I do not have yet, but one day it will happen.
20 years ago I walked into a Pet Store and the owner was so incredibly nice. After that first meeting, I went to the Pet Store just about everyday just to look at the animals. Secretly wishing that one day my mother would let me take a pet home one day. He noticed that I was a frequent flyer but never buying anything; he came up to me as I was looking at a pair of Parakeets and asks “Would you like to hold them?”. I wish I could describe in words how ecstatic I was, I’m sure it was written all over my face. Somehow I was both confident and nervous to hold them which I assume is normal for someone that’s never held a birds like them before. Such bright beautiful colours of green and blue. I was there everyday to hold those birds, they were absolutely gorgeous. They often fell asleep in my hands or in my arms. The owner saw the benefits of constantly handling them. So once they were sold, the new owners were able to handle them with ease. After his realization, he had me handle animals I never thought I’d ever have the chance to hold! From snakes to ferrets to puppies to hand feeding/syringe feeding new born birds. I was in heaven. I knew that this is what I wanted in my life, needed honestly.
For Birthdays, Christmas’ all I ever really wanted was books/videos about animals. Instead of watching cartoons, I was watching any and every documentary I could find about animals on tv. In school whenever there was a project or subject about any animals, I always went above and maybe too beyond to show my knowledge.
As a teen, I decided to apply to volunteer at the BCSPCA. There was a position open in the Advocacy Department and I thought I would try to get in there with no prior experience. And to my amazement, they choose me. I was ecstatic, I loved it there. Working in an office where everyone brings their pets to work? It was perfect.
From there, I wanted to pursue working in a Veterinary Hospital. I just knew this is what I wanted. Schooling was very expensive but I had applied and been accepted but before I could start, an Animal Hospital contacted me for an interview. Of course I JUMPED to it! I went into the hospital and was shown around, led to an office where there were four veterinarians sitting. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous, I was shaking like a leaf. Hoping and praying that I would get the position. The interview was about an hour long, they had 4 dogs in the office and they quizzed me on the breeds. This is where my obsession with animal knowledge came in handy. Of course, I passed (Not to tout my own horn but). They said to wait for a phone call for an answer. A couple of days later they phoned and offered me a working interview and I accepted. They knew I had no prior schooling but they still took me in. I went and at the end of the working interview, they said I got the job. BUT! There’s always a but isn’t there? I had to prove to them that I could learn the job, acquire the knowledge, handle medications, aid the doctors and technicians in 3 months. If in 3 months I could prove that I belonged, then I would be hired on permanently. About 2 months in, they knew I belonged. It was an amazing feeling. It was almost nostalgic, it brought me back to the time when I was a kid and the first time I held those two Parakeets. I went on to work there for about 3 years, this hospital was BUSY. It was like working in an ER for animals some days. I learnt my strengths, I overcame my weaknesses. They say to not build attachments to patients because they are there for a reason, but everyone that I’ve come to know working in the field knows that it is impossible to do that. We are there to help those with no voice, our love and compassion for them is what gets them the help they need.
Paws For Hope is a non-profit organization. Dr. Shawn Llewllyn worked at the hospital that I started at and he is the President for Paws For Hope. They provide a free veterinary clinic to persons who are low income/homeless that own pets. They give free treatment and medications. Medications ranging from skin problems to flea treatments to ear problems. They do bloodwork on the spot if the animal(s) need it, they schedule much needed dental work for them. They are truly an amazing organization to volunteer for and I am proud to be a part of their team. They started helping people in the East End of Vancouver to going even further to Langley now. I am so proud of their accomplishments and the amazing volunteers that go above and beyond to help.
I went on to work at a few more Animal Hospitals over the years, learned that everywhere works differently but always efficiently in their own ways. I am truly grateful for the opportunities that I was given to pursue the work I have been able to do through the amazing people I have met over the years.
I thought of the name for Pawsitive Mission because it is my mission to do what I can to help animals in need and their fur families. I also live in Mission so I think it just fits perfectly! Whenever family or friends that have pets need to go away, it always seemed that they were contacting me to either pet sit or visit daily for feedings/attention/walking. I love knowing that I am the person they think of when they’re in need and that they’re confident to leave me with their fur babies (cats, dogs, birds, fish, reptiles for those that don’t like the term “fur babies”). And then recently I thought to myself, “What if people need different types of help when it comes to their pets?”. What if they need to administer a medication 3 or 4 times daily but due to their work schedule they can only give it twice daily? I know some animals especially those with heart disease will need medication more often than others. Or what if they need to administer insulin but they have work later that day and are unable to do it on time? What if their dog has dog aggression but loves people and would love some attention when their owner is at work? What if someone needs to go on vacation but they don’t want to board their cat but may have no choice because they need daily medication? What if their pet needs to go to the vet for a serious issue but the only available appointments are during the day while you’re at work? What if their dog has a lot of energy and needs to go for a walk daily but you work long hours so you simply don’t have the time or energy to go on one? As you can see, my thoughts were endless and then I decided to offer my services and my knowledge. I’ve learned so much about peoples and animals needs while working in the hospital world, hearing the constant struggles some owners need to face daily. I want to help, I want to help you and your family member feel comfortable and be at ease knowing someone can help you.
I hope this helps put some of you at ease knowing that I would do what it takes to help your loved ones feel comfortable and happy. And have a look into my mind and thought process.
We have 5 cats... yep 5! And they are all boys. (Lord help me) My spouse had his 2 cats originally and I had 3 of my own. We were in a townhouse and couldn’t fit them all in there so we bought a house in Mission and introduced them. Things have calmed down a lot but there were definitely a lot of disagreements in the beginning. Still a working progress but one day they’ll all love each other. Not my first time introducing animals to each other. Lots of patience and understanding is required. We also have 3 reptiles: Giant Day Gecko, Northern Alligator Lizard and a Red Footed Tortoise. We are looking at getting another reptile but we’re on paws for now. (Paws get it?)
Pawsitive Mission
Xoana (Pronounced Joanna – thanks mum and dad) =)
Quacker Smacker Retrievers