We not too long ago stated goodbye to our Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Stephanie Black, who has chosen to maneuver on to a brand new position that may assist form future veterinary professionals. We wish to want Dr. Black continued success in her new position, and we sit up for working collectively once more for the animals.
We’re thrilled to announce that Dr. Jill Kirk has been promoted to the position of Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) on the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society!
Dr. Kirk’s journey with the Ontario SPCA started in October 2022, when she joined the group as a Shelter Veterinarian. Her intensive background in shelter drugs and unwavering dedication to animal welfare make her the right match for this management place.
To commemorate this thrilling promotion, we interviewed Dr. Jill Kirk to study extra about her background, her ardour for veterinary drugs, and her imaginative and prescient for the longer term in her new position as Chief Veterinary Officer.
What impressed you to focus your profession on serving to animals by changing into a veterinarian?
My mom is a veterinarian, and whereas she has dabbled in nearly the whole lot, she has spent most of her profession as a shelter veterinarian. I believe there may be nothing extra rewarding than seeing an animal that’s sick or in any other case wants assist, having the ability to assist them, after which getting them into their without end residence. I believe being a shelter vet is hopeful!
You joined the Ontario SPCA as a shelter veterinarian in October 2022. What influenced your choice to affix the group?
I’ve all the time been a shelter vet. I knew earlier than stepping into veterinary faculty that was what I needed to do — be a voice for the unvoiced. After I was seeking to transfer to Ontario from Florida, the Ontario SPCA’s description was so distinctive. Having one group with such a broad attain was actually an exciting concept!
You stepped into your new position of Chief Veterinary Officer in June 2024. What led to and impressed you to make this position change?
When the position of Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) was posted, I knew instantly that I needed to use. I’ve intensive coaching in shelter drugs. I graduated with a Certificates in Shelter Medication in 2014, then I went again and earned my Masters of Science in Shelter Medication, with a Certificates in Veterinary Forensics in 2020. I’ve held comparable roles at earlier organizations, and I benefit from the management and decision-making position.
May you present a short overview of what your new position entails?
My position as CVO will entail supervising the three Shelter Well being and Wellness veterinarians, who’re answerable for the day-to-day care of the animals in our adoption centres. I may even proceed to evaluate and replace protocols (each medical and surgical) to make sure we’re following probably the most up-to-date suggestions from consultants in shelter drugs.
What are you most wanting ahead to engaging in in your new position of Chief Veterinary Officer with the Ontario SPCA?
The Ontario SPCA has supplied care and compassion to animals for over 150 years, and I hope to construct on the arduous work my predecessors have finished. I sit up for persevering with the legacy of serving to animals in want, being a secure house for injured and unwell animals, and discovering them their without end houses.
So far, do you have got a favorite reminiscence, expertise, or one thing you’re most pleased with whereas being part of the Ontario SPCA workforce?
I’d say that my favorite expertise to this point has simply been travelling across the province! I by no means knew that working a distant job I’d see a lot of my new nation — and there’s nonetheless a lot extra for me to find!
Do you have got animals of your individual?
I do have many pets! I stay on a farm with my household, and now we have 4 horses, 16 cats (I do know, rather a lot!), and 5 chickens. All of our animals are rescues — even the chickens!
What’s the most rewarding side of your position?
Probably the most rewarding side of my job is seeing an animal come to us unwell or injured – whether or not that’s a extreme case of an higher respiratory tract an infection, pores and skin illness, or perhaps a damaged limb – and seeing our employees come collectively and assist that animal get higher, after which getting them into their new residence.
How does it really feel on the finish of every workday realizing that you just’ve made a optimistic affect on the well being and lives of animals in want all through the province?
It feels nice to have the ability to assist animals. I’ve stated that no day is similar twice, as every day comes with its personal challenges. And whereas we could not be capable to assist all of them, I simply should concentrate on the person ones that now we have been in a position to assist. Typically assist means euthanasia and the ending of struggling, and I believe that may be a reward that veterinarians have. It doesn’t imply it’s simple, however when an animal is past any assist that drugs can present, what a blessing it’s that we are able to cease their struggling.
If there was one takeaway that you just’d like folks to know concerning the animals cared for by the Ontario SPCA, what would that be?
We take a look at every animal as a person whereas concentrating on our inhabitants. We all know what number of animals every centre can help and take care of, and we do our best possible for them each single day. We don’t get many days off on this area — animals don’t care about holidays or what hours we prefer to work. We do the very best we are able to for every animal with the assets that now we have.
Why would you encourage others to contemplate supporting the Ontario SPCA by donating, volunteering, and/or adopting?
The Ontario SPCA wouldn’t get far with out our volunteers! Every part from strolling canines to scooping cat litter packing containers, to fostering animals to get them out of the centre, to elevating orphaned puppies and kittens, or serving to us do laundry — the record goes on and on! We couldn’t do half the work that we do with out volunteers!
The Ontario SPCA household as soon as once more provides congratulations to Dr. Jill Kirk on her well-deserved promotion to Chief Veterinary Officer! We sit up for the continued optimistic affect she could have on the well being and lives of animals all through the province.
Be a part of the Ontario SPCA workforce
The Ontario SPCA has all kinds of employment alternatives supporting animal well-being throughout Ontario. Are you curious about becoming a member of our workforce? Go to our employment web page to see present job alternatives.
