Hi, I’m Charlee, and I’m a Veterinary Assistant at Pinnacle. I’m currently in school working toward becoming a veterinary technician, and I’m always excited to keep learning and growing with the help of my amazing coworkers. I’ve been in veterinary medicine since I was 18, when I started my first veterinary assistant position in shelter medicine.

Working in a humane society played a huge role in shaping my love for rescue work. I helped run the vaccine clinic and also worked in admissions, where I cared for abandoned and sick animals and helped families who were in difficult situations. That experience allowed me to be part of multiple rescue cases involving hundreds of dogs and cats coming from unsafe environments. One of those rescues is actually how I met and adopted my best friend, Pandora.

At home, my pet family is full of personality. Pandora is my 5-year-old Great Dane who is a goofy giant and somehow thinks she only weighs five pounds. She knows commands in English, Spanish, and Italian! Tanjiro is my 5-year-old domestic shorthair cat who I found in a Target parking lot. He’s a tripod and a bit of a mischievous troublemaker who enjoys sitting in places he definitely shouldn’t—he once sat right in my salad. Then there’s Peep, my 9-year-old ball python who I rescued in California and traveled across the country with by car. Peep is the sweetest and has actually helped change a lot of people’s minds about snakes.

I’m originally from California and have had a passion for animals for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I volunteered at animal shelters, raised funds for a wolf sanctuary when I was just 10 years old, and started working at my aunt’s dog grooming shop when I was 14. I also love photography and enjoy capturing photos of people, pets, and especially cars.

My inspiration for working in veterinary medicine comes from growing up around rescue animals and wanting to help them in any way I can. I’m especially passionate about educating people about misunderstood animals—including reptiles and other non-furry pets. One day, I would love to start a rescue of my own.

One of the things I love most about working at Pinnacle is how supportive and encouraging the team is. Coming from a background in shelter medicine, I’ve learned so much about general practice here. The doctors and my coworkers take the time to explain cases, teach me different techniques and equipment, and allow me to be hands-on so I can continue building my confidence and skills. I learn something new every day, and I truly appreciate being part of a team that cares so much about both education and patient care.