Rediscovering Your Profession After 20 Years in the Field

Read the story of Mélanie Thibodeau, VT, who found new energy in a new role.

In 2025, Mélanie Thibodeau, a Veterinary Technician at the Clinique vétérinaire Ste-Marie, found herself at a crossroads. After more than 20 years with the organization, she had held leadership roles, served as a nutrition ambassador, and worked as an RVT across several departments. Still, she began to wonder what the next chapter of her career might look like. At first, she considered changing teams. Then she thought about going back to school to study medical imaging. Although she has always been passionate about animals, she felt she had explored most of the scope of her role and was ready for something different.

That’s when she decided to browse internal opportunities at VetStrategy. By pure chance, a position had just opened in the medical imaging department at the Centre vétérinaire Daubigny. It felt like the perfect fit, a chance to continue caring for animals while growing in a new direction.

Medical Imaging: Supporting Multiple Departments

Mélanie and her team collaborate daily with other departments at the Centre. Medical imaging plays a key role in a multidisciplinary approach to care, supporting departments such as surgery, internal medicine, dentistry, neurology, and emergency.

This collaboration allows her to “see so many things that aren’t visible during a physical examination or blood test.” Even after several months, she remains impressed by the variety and complexity of cases that are seen in her department. It has reignited her passion for being a technician.

Services Rarely Offered in General Practice

Many of the cases seen at the Centre are rare or complex. Having a dedicated medical imaging department makes a meaningful difference. The team goes well beyond routine procedures, offering advanced diagnostic expertise that strengthens care across the network.

One Centre, One Team

Every morning, the Centre’s teams meet briefly to review cases, discuss availability, and share important updates. Mélanie says these meetings provide a clear picture of the day ahead and create regular touchpoints between departments. Even when interactions are brief, they help put faces to names and maintain strong connections. In an environment where a patient may be treated by many different departments, this communication is essential.

This collaborative structure has created a close-knit team where every member, regardless of their department, feels supported and connected to a shared mission of providing more complete care to our patients.

Mélanie’s career journey highlights the range of opportunities available within our network. By daring to step beyond her comfort zone after two decades, she shows that it’s never too late to reignite your passion and discover new possibilities within our network and the veterinary field.

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