We think everyone who chooses to dedicate their life to care for animals should be considered a superstar, and we know everyone on our team at Portside Veterinary Hospital is a superstar. We want to share their stories to highlight their incredible talents, expertise, and compassion. This month, we are highlighting Christine Grego, a licensed veterinary technician (LVT).

What are licensed veterinary technicians?

LVTs undergo lengthy schooling and must pass a 200-question exam to achieve certification. During their education, they learn to provide pets with highly skilled, experienced nursing care, and are able to offer personalized tips to pet owners on the best care for their furry friends. 

An LVT is a veterinarian’s right-hand man—or woman—who can perform many of the veterinarian’s tasks, except for making diagnoses, providing prognoses, prescribing medication, and performing surgery. An LVT often liaises between the veterinarian and the pet owner, follows up on patient care instructions, and checks progress reports. 

LVTs are an essential member of any veterinary team, ensuring every pet receives the highest quality care. Now, we would like you to meet our own Christine Grego, LVT.

Christine Grego, LVT

To help share some of Chris’s story about choosing to become, and working as, an LVT, we asked our superstar team member a few quick questions. Here are her answers: 

Question: Where are you originally from, and what led you to your present location?

Answer: I’m originally from North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I relocated to Charleston in 2011 for veterinary technician schooling, and then moved back to North Myrtle Beach for one year after graduating. However, I decided I loved Charleston too much to stay away, and moved back to work at a veterinary specialty clinic. 

Q: Why did you want to become a veterinary technician?

A: I’ve had a passion for helping animals since I was very young. I like being the voice to help those who cannot speak for themselves. 

Q: Where did you attend school?

A: I obtained my veterinary technician degree from Trident Technical College.

Q: What aspects of veterinary medicine do you like most?

A: I love forming lifelong bonds with patients, while educating clients on providing the best care for their pets. Client education is one of the most important jobs we have as veterinary professionals, and I enjoy it.

Q: What are your particular areas of interest?

A: Cardiology is one of my favorite veterinary subjects. 

Q: Please share about your family.

A: I currently reside in Charleston with my husband, Chance, and two sons, Collin and Connor. 

Q: Tell us about your pets.

A: We have a 10-year-old blind male buff tabby named Queso, a 10-year-old dachshund mix named Brees (Go Saints!), and a 4-year-old Doberman rescue named Athena. 

Q: What do you like to do outside of work?

A: I love horses, so in my free time, I enjoy riding. I also like golfing, and my family and I continuously explore Charleston’s everchanging food and beverage scene. 

Q: Name a few things on your bucket list or that you’d like to accomplish in the next five years.

A: Traveling to Spain, Ireland, and Scotland are on my bucket list. Also, we have been renovating a home we moved into recently, which means we have lots of never-ending projects in the works and planned for the future. I hope those get finished before the next five years! 

Q: Share some fun facts about yourself.

 

A: I’ve been an avid equestrian since I was 10 years old, doing everything from barrel racing, to competitive hunter jumping, and even trick riding! I also enjoy fishing—except taking the fish off the hook—hosting dinner parties, and DIY projects. 

We know your pet is part of your family, and we hope that knowing more about Chris personally will help you feel part of our Portside Veterinary Hospital family. The next time your pet has an appointment, look for Chris if you have any questions about anything from your pet’s basic care, to heart conditions.