Nicole St.Denis | Emergency and Critical Care Veterinary Technician
Animal Referral Hospital

Originally from Guelph, Ontario, Nicole embarked on her journey into veterinary nursing as a kennel hand in 2009 and subsequently graduated from Seneca College with a diploma in Veterinary Technology in 2013, earning the title of Veterinary Technician (dip)VT. She is a registered member of the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia (VNCA) and a proud RVT. She began her professional journey in general practice but quickly realised her passion lay in more specialised fields. In 2014, Nicole's life trajectory took her from Canada to Melbourne, and in 2016, fuelled by her desire to make a difference and broaden her knowledge to better aid animals, she transitioned to a referral hospital setting. Nicole's commitment to patient care and comfort has always been top priority, and her time in emergency medicine allowed for significant personal and professional growth in these areas. It was during this period that she developed a special interest in ultrasonography, recognising its potential to enhance patient care and safety. This passion led her to complete a Certificate of Ultrasound for Veterinary Nurses and Technicians in 2023, complementing her expertise with ongoing self-study in this specialised field. Throughout her career, Nicole has been dedicated to nurturing the next generation of veterinary professionals. She has mentored numerous veterinary and veterinary nurse students, playing a pivotal role in their growth and development. This experience instilled in her the confidence to take on a formal teaching role for the Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing program La Trobe, delivered in partnership with Melbourne Polytechnic, where she currently serves as a Placement Supervisor and Vet Nursing Skills Lab Technician. Nicole's drive stems from a profound belief in empowering veterinary nurses to realise their full potential within a supportive environment. However, her passion extends beyond the humans in her profession; she is also passionate about advocating for her patients who cannot advocate for themselves. Nicole utilises everything she has learned both personally and professionally to advocate for positive change in the industry, embodying the values she hopes to see reflected in veterinary medicine universally one day.