Team spotlight
After more than a decade of education, experience and persistence, Sabrina has officially achieved her goal of becoming a Licensed Veterinary Technician.
When Sabrina Fitzgerald scheduled her latest attempt at the Veterinary Technician National Examination, she kept the date mostly to herself. Then the results arrived: she had passed and completed a professional goal more than a decade in the making.
A goal she never gave up on
Sabrina began working toward becoming a Licensed Veterinary Technician in 2013, when she enrolled in veterinary technician school. She graduated from PIMA Medical Institute in 2016, earned an associate degree in animal science and went on to spend seven years working at a veterinary clinic in Snohomish, Washington.
The Veterinary Technician National Examination, commonly known as the VTNE, was the next major step. Sabrina attempted the exam more than once without passing, and those setbacks made returning to it more difficult.
“Passing this test was a big goal of mine, but failing multiple times really discouraged me.”
— Sabrina Fitzgerald, LVT
She continued working in veterinary medicine, gaining experience and caring for animals, even as the unfinished goal remained in the back of her mind.
A new home and a new team
In August 2022, Sabrina and her husband moved to Rock Island. They purchased their first home and found something especially important to Sabrina: enough land to keep her horses.
The move also brought her to Cascade Veterinary Clinics. Sabrina joined the team as a Doctor’s Aide, bringing seven years of general practice experience with her.
At Cascade, Sabrina began working with more urgent and emergency cases than she had encountered at her previous clinic. Those experiences gave her opportunities to ask questions, strengthen her clinical knowledge and learn from the people working beside her.
Sabrina credits Dr. Edwards, Dr. Stoll, Dr. Collier, Dr. Murray and Dr. Bonnett as important influences. She also recognizes Cole Godfrey, LVT, along with Lupe, Haley, Stacia and Leinie, for explaining unfamiliar situations, sharing practical ways to remember what she was learning and helping her become more comfortable with emergency cases.
“The help, education and support from this clinic really helped me with taking this test.”
— Sabrina Fitzgerald, LVT
One more attempt
With encouragement from her teammates, Sabrina decided it was time to take the VTNE again. This time, she prepared without sharing the test date widely, giving herself room to focus on the exam instead of the expectations surrounding it.
“I let a few people know I was planning to take it, but I kept the date to myself so I could go in without any added pressure.”
— Sabrina Fitzgerald, LVT
Her approach worked. Sabrina passed the exam and officially became a Licensed Veterinary Technician.
Finishing what she started
Earning her LVT license represents much more than adding new initials after Sabrina’s name. It marks the completion of something she began years ago and continued pursuing even when the path did not go according to plan.
“I am most proud that I kept trying and pushing myself to finish. I finally accomplished what I went to school for and worked so hard to become.”
— Sabrina Fitzgerald, LVT
That persistence, paired with Sabrina’s experience and compassion, now follows her into her work as a Licensed Veterinary Technician at Cascade.
Life beyond the clinic
Animals remain a constant in Sabrina’s life away from work. She is an avid horse lover and enjoys exploring the Wenatchee Valley with her dogs.
She is also a devoted mom, a dog and cat mom, and the kind of loyal friend others can count on. Her compassion is one of the qualities her teammates value most about her, and it carries naturally into her work with animals and the people who love them.
Congratulations, Sabrina!
Sabrina’s new title represents years of education, experience and determination. We are proud to celebrate Sabrina Fitzgerald, LVT, and grateful to have her as part of the Cascade Veterinary Clinics team.