Erica Basten
Wonthaggi,VIC
Summary
Hardworking and enthusiastic veterinary student, with experience in fast paced environments where problem solving and record keeping were key. Maintains special attention to animal welfare, with additional interest in understanding and assessing animal behaviour, and ensuring upkeep of biosecurity measures and cleanliness to mitigate disease spread.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Piggery Attendant
Sunpork Group
Greater Bendigo Region, Vic
01.2022 - 08.2022
- Upholding Australian and pork industry biosecurity standards
- Moving and handling of pigs in industry recognised and humane manners
- Heat detection of gilts and sows followed by AI mating with hygienic and sterile procedures
- Meeting individual feeding needs of 500+ pigs through monitoring feed intake, feeding life stage appropriate diets, and keeping identification tags updated
- Attending to 100 farrowing sows and their new litters weekly, including keeping ongoing records of in progress farrowing, providing manual assistance and medications when needed, and individually attending to weak, injured or chilled piglets
- Performing early piglet processing and preventing early overlays
- Providing and maintaining records of treatments and medication in accordance with farm plan.
- General farm and equipment maintenance
Cattery Attendant
Lara Cattery
Lara, Vic
03.2019 - 01.2024
- Communicating with owner of cats to ensure best care was met
- Aiding in the care of 150+ cats during peak periods, including daily feeding, cleaning, basic health assessments and record keeping
- Keeping work areas clean, and sterilizing and preparing unoccupied enclosures
Contract Animal Attendant (PEQ)
First Grade Recruitment
Mickleham, VIC
09.2021 - 10.2021
- Maintained animal facilities at the Australian Post Entry Quarantine centre while ensuring biosecurity procedures were prioritised
- Basic handling of dogs and cats while undertaking daily husbandry tasks
- General cleaning tasks, including laundry, enclosure disinfecting and cleaning and washing and disinfecting bowls and trays
Volunteer Animal Attendant/Laundry Attendant
Lort Smith Animal Hospital
North Melbourne, VIC
08.2016 - 01.2022
- Collecting, washing, drying, folding and delivering laundry, including surgical drapes, throughout Lort Smith hospital and adoption centre
- Cleaning and disinfecting used enclosures in cattery, kennels and hospital rooms
- Cleaning and preparing bowls and trays
- Walking adoption centre dogs daily and providing basic animal training
- Providing companionship, play and creative enrichment for cats and dogs
- Induction and training of new volunteers in kennels and cattery as a senior volunteer
- Aiding in behavioural assessments of dogs with kennels staff as a senior volunteer
Volunteer Wildlife Rescue and Transport
Wildlife Victoria
Werribee, Vic
10.2021 - 01.2022
- Relaying with members of public to safely find, assess and rescue or transport wildlife
- Ensuring rescued wildlife is properly tended to by appropriate professionals and reporting and recording wildlife outcomes
- Attending training to further increase capabilities
Education
Bachelors of Veterinary Science (Honours) -
The University of Queensland
Masters of Agricultural Sciences -
The University of Melbourne
07-2021
Bachelor of Science -
The University of Melbourne
09-2018
Skills
- Animal care
- Inquisitive
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Critical Thinking
- Strong work ethic
Certification
- HLTAID010 Provide basic emergency life support (Exp. July 2025)
- HLTAID011 Provide First Aid (Exp. July 2025)
- Animal Management and Husbandry OTP
- The FCAI on-line 5 Star ATV Safety Course
- Living and Learning with Animals: The Science and Technology of Behaviour Change
Timeline
Piggery Attendant
Sunpork Group
01.2022 - 08.2022
Volunteer Wildlife Rescue and Transport
Wildlife Victoria
10.2021 - 01.2022
Contract Animal Attendant (PEQ)
First Grade Recruitment
09.2021 - 10.2021
Cattery Attendant
Lara Cattery
03.2019 - 01.2024
Volunteer Animal Attendant/Laundry Attendant
Lort Smith Animal Hospital
08.2016 - 01.2022
Bachelors of Veterinary Science (Honours) -
The University of Queensland
Masters of Agricultural Sciences -
The University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Science -
The University of Melbourne