Anna Saldarriaga

Anna Saldarriaga

VETERINARY NURSE/RECEPTIONIST

After completing year 12 at school, Anna completed a traineeship in office administration and was lucky to get a job with an accountant. After 3 years she worked the front office Sydney University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. This was the start of her veterinary nursing career.

She worked in the office and was also working at a vet hospital in Balmain part time which is where she began her veterinary nurse course. After one year she applied for and was subsequently successful in securing a position in the surgery department at the uni. This was where it all began! Anna learned instruments, how to pack and scrub, taught students in practical class, assisted in specialised surgeries, anaesthesia, radiology, and medicine. It was such an amazing experience to work with some of the best in the industry and meet so many different people that had the same interests and views – to help and save animals and be part of life saving operations. After the Uni position, Anna joined a referral hospital where she spent 7 years. Starting off in Emergency then moving into theatre. Nothing could keep her out of there. Her passion for veterinary nursing is theatre. This is where she loves being able to assist animals feel less pain, improve after surgery and to return to their loved ones. She also really enjoys talking to clients, listening to their needs and what they would like for their home baby.

Her last veterinary role was for 18 years, which included being part of opening a new hospital, so it was a very hands-on position. Setting up theatre, pharmacy, rostering, recruitment, co-ordinating the day to day running of the hospital, stock ordering, all nursing duties and reception. Anna is a highly experienced veterinary nurse with a huge love of all animals.

When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Work with animals or a flight attendant

What’s your idea of a perfect long weekend getaway?

Renting a luxury Airbnb in a beach town and relaxing with a few wines.

Which language(s) do you speak?

English and Spanish

Are you a pet owner? What do you have?

Yes. Dog named Dora and cat called Kittee (I know not original but there is a story behind it).

What’s your favourite season and why?

Spring because the trees and flowers start to bloom.

What is your favourite food of all time?

Hot chips (not joking)

How do you like to relax and unwind after your workday?

Going to a gym class, then walking my dog.

If you could have dinner with anybody in the world from across history, who would it be and why?

My grandmother, I never got to meet her.

Alive or passed—and money no issue—which musician would you love to see perform live?

Elvis Presley

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

Power of healing, so I could heal all the animals and people that are suffering around the world.

What is your proudest achievement?

Completing the 7 Bridges Walk and raising money for women’s cancers