Veterinary Technician Appreciation Week is a time to recognize the skilled professionals who care for animals with expertise, empathy, and heart. Today we’re celebrating Bridget Haese, Senior Manager of Veterinary Services at HSSV—a leader who has built her career on compassion, collaboration, and the courage to take big leaps.

A nontraditional start—and a bold leap

Bridget didn’t take the typical path into veterinary medicine. “I knew I wanted to work with animals, but I didn’t know what route to go,” she recalls. “I applied to vet tech school without even knowing what a vet tech was.”

Her first true experience working with animals came during her training, and she was hooked. After earning her RVT credentials, Bridget spent several years in New York City providing high-volume spay/neuter and wellness care for underserved communities. When leadership opportunities didn’t open up locally, she started looking farther—much farther.

“I applied everywhere—Florida, the East Coast, California,” she says. “HSSV was the one that called back. I thought it would just be a good interview experience, but a few months later, I was packing my car and driving cross-country.”

It was the mission that drew her in: a thriving medical center, mobile clinics expanding access to care, and a culture built on teamwork. “When I met the team, I saw how dedicated they were,” she says. “I knew I could help build on that—create structure, training, and support to make us even stronger.”

From “on the floor” to leading the floor

When Bridget arrived, the team was short-staffed. “I was on the floor constantly, which I loved,” she says. “But as we grew, I focused on building systems—training programs, SOPs, and internships. That transition was hard at first. I had to learn to see with a manager’s brain instead of a technician’s. Now I can switch between both—it’s become my superpower.”

Her leadership philosophy centers on understanding the work. “I never wanted to be a manager who makes changes without knowing what it’s like on the floor,” she says. “Working alongside the team helped me earn trust—and make better decisions.

That empathy now shapes how she collaborates across departments. “Because I understand what my team needs, I can translate that to leadership and help drive real solutions,” she says. “It makes collaboration smoother and more meaningful.”

Building pathways for the next generation

Mentorship is one of Bridget’s favorite parts of her role. She helped develop internship opportunities for RVT students through Foothill College and for high school graduates in HSSV’s LEAP program—a paid, 12-week veterinary assistant certification that introduces young people to animal welfare careers.

“Veterinary medicine has real barriers,” Bridget explains. “LEAP gives students a chance to get hands-on experience, explore the different paths within animal welfare, and build confidence in a field they might not otherwise have access to.”

Several LEAP alumni have since joined HSSV full-time. “Seeing them grow, take feedback, and bring such energy to our work is amazing,” she says. “That kind of enthusiasm reminds all of us why we’re here.”

Resilience, defined

There’s no single “hero animal” story Bridget points to. Instead, it’s the people. 

She recalls one of the most challenging times in recent memory: the fire that impacted HSSV’s medical center. “We were in the middle of surgery when it happened,” Bridget says. “The team acted fast, kept the animal safe, and stayed calm under pressure. The very next day, they were on the mobile unit doing spay/neuter surgeries. Their resilience and dedication were unreal.”

For Bridget, that moment encapsulates what makes HSSV special. “Our team’s commitment goes beyond the work itself—it’s about showing up for each other, for the animals, and for our community. Helping my colleagues grow into leaders, supporting them through the hard days, and watching them thrive—that’s what makes this role so meaningful.”

What most folks don’t see about RVTs

“The public often doesn’t realize how much veterinary technicians do,” Bridget says. “In human medicine, you might have separate professionals for radiology, phlebotomy, dentistry, and surgery prep. A fully trained RVT can do all of it—blood draws, IV catheters, x-rays, dental procedures, anesthesia monitoring, and surgical prep. They truly do it all.”

That’s why Veterinary Technician Appreciation Week matters. “Our team’s work isn’t always visible, but it’s essential. They’re the heartbeat of every medical success story.”

“Go for it.”

For anyone considering animal care—whether as a volunteer, student, or second career—Bridget’s advice is simple: “Go for it. Money concerns are real, but there are ways in. Volunteer, start part-time, get your feet wet. Immerse yourself. When you see the impact on families, fosters, adopters—and your own teammates—it’s incredibly rewarding.”

Growing together

Three years after moving across the country, Bridget has built not only a thriving team but a home at HSSV. “I came for the job, but I stayed for the people,” she says. “The collaboration, the compassion, the shared purpose—it’s something special.”

At HSSV, we believe in creating careers that make a difference—for animals, for people, and for our community. If you’re inspired by Bridget’s story and want to grow in a place where compassion drives everything we do, explore open positions on our Careers Page.