08/27/2026
👩⚕️🤸♀️ Mélodie - The RVT Acrobat 🐾🤡
STORY TIME✨️📖👀
Yes, I really am living the best of both worlds! I am a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) in good standing with the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians - OAVT AND a professional circus artist trained at École de cirque de Québec.
I use my RVT knowledge in the world of live entertainment and public events! 🎪🩺
My identity allows me to blend art and science!
🕒 THE BACKSTORY:HOW IT ALL BEGAN
Way back when I was in high school, I volunteered at a local vet clinic—a commitment that ended up lasting every Saturday from 9 AM to 12 PM for 7 years! I am known for my stepladder acrobatics, and I would often ask if I could borrow the exact same clinic stepladder usually found in vet clinics for short staff to use in my circus acts for school talent shows! 🤩🫶 Not only did they let me, but that same generous DVM sponsored me while I competed in the sport of trampoline.
Because of that support, I made Team Ontario and qualified for the Eastern Canadian Championships, placing 3rd in Moncton, N.B. in 2015 and taking 1st place in Québec City in 2016! 🏆🥇 I eventually went on to become a national-level athlete, finishing my competitive career ranked 7th in Canada in the discipline of Double Mini Trampoline! 🇨🇦🤸♀️
My dog walking and In-Home pet care business started when I was 13 years old. It was the way that I supported my extracurricular activities, which is how I learned circus in the first place! 🐕💼 And even though dog walking and drop-in visits are no longer my focus as I have evolved... still today, this creative journey continues! My circus projects are my main focus, and I build my specialized mobile RVT services and virtual Pet Owner Education consultations and coaching directly around them. This work beautifully supports my cool creative vision.
🧠📚
SURVIVING VET TECH SCHOOL
& CLINIC LIFE
From there, I survived college and passed the VTNE specifically because I worked hard, took handstand brain breaks, and juggled to help me stay focused. 🧠🤸♀️🤹♀️ At first, my teachers at Collège Boréal
(Sudbury campus) were like, "Why am I seeing feet in the back of the class during short breaks during long lectures?!" 😂 But then, it just totally became a thing. For a long time, it was completely normal to see me upside down! 😅👍
When I transitioned into full-time practice as an RVT, that is exactly what I kept doing as self-care to overcome the stress of challenging situations. I did not want to be another statistic; I wanted to be part of the solution to prevent Vet Med staff burnout! 🧠💪
Looking back, after I graduated college, the wife of that same DVM and clinic owner told me: "Travailler, c'est bien, mais travailler à ta façon, c'est mieux" (Working is good, but working your own way is better). My deep desire to implement Fear Free care as a graduated tech did not align with their conventional clinic visions, so I went looking elsewhere.
I ended up having the honour of working with an amazing Vet who was totally on board with my value of Fear-Free care. Even after I stopped working at that hospital, the quality time we spent together on the job stayed with me. Outside of pet-friendly entertainment, I continue to provide essential clinical support through Personalized In-Home Care, Mobile RVT Services, and Pet Owner Education consultations and coaching. This is where I truly shined! 🌟🩺 It was a time that truly helped me pivot into my circus career and embrace my neurodivergence. 🚪🐾
Just because I challenge the status quo doesn't mean owners should be worried about the quality of the care I provide. If anything, it ensures they live very memorable moments with their pets! ❤️🐾 I am truly grateful to all the veterinary professionals who have referred clients to me over the years. Thank you for your continued trust and partnership! 🤝
📈🎪 THE ULTIMATE TURNING POINT
At the OAVT Conference kickoff in 2024, we had
Doug The Great "World Record Stilt Walker" entertaining us. At the time, I was actually in an air cast with a sprained ankle, but I still knew how to groove and have fun! 💃🩼 At some point, I started juggling with Doug, and he looked right at me and said, "Why are you limiting yourself to vet med?! You are a natural performer—go put yourself out there!" I told him, "I'm working on it!" and since then, my performer career has skyrocketed! 📈🎪✨
💬Recently, someone close to me—who has no idea what it’s actually like to walk in my shoes—told me that putting "Acrobat" next to my protected title means I won't be taken seriously. They claimed it doesn't honor the RVT profession and won't win me points with affiliated organizations. 🙄
👩🏫Well, actually? I am putting a spotlight on our profession in a completely unique way. I am using my art to actively combat RVT burnout and advocate for neurodivergent medical pros who bring so much heart to this field. 🧠❤️ I am officially calling myself "The RVT Acrobat" starting this year because it is straightforward about who I am. I am done feeling like I must live a double life and keep these two professions separate... No, this is exactly what makes me a professional unicorn! 🦄✨ The fact that I am innovative in a way that actually works! 👋💡🐾
🎪 Fun Fact: If anyone thinks this combination is too "weird" to be taken seriously, did you know the world-renowned
Les 7 doigts de la main circus collective co-created a massive Broadway show called Water for Elephants? The main character is literally a veterinary student who joins the circus to care for their animals! That is the exact parallel to my own journey—except I actually lived it out as a mobile RVT with a travelling circus! I am blending art and science!
In the performing arts, I have seen things done with animals that broke my heart. Because I am an RVT with experience in live entertainment, I am in the perfect position to advocate for the well-being of the animal.
🎬 RE-WRITING THE TIMELINE:
2023 to 2027
🎥 In 2023: I was an extra on a kids' TV show (filmed right in Ottawa,ON!) where they were using a horse to shoot a scene where a rider enters a circus rink and the crowd is yelling. When I found out the handler was sedating the horse, I jumped into full Fear Free Certified RVT mode!
🏇First of all, her body language was telling me that she was experiencing unacceptable FAS. Sedating her to force her to do something she isn't comfortable doing is NOT the solution—I don't care if the horse is said to be trained for this! Second of all, having an actress ride a sedated horse is a massive safety concern! No. Just NO. 🛑 And guess what? My voice was heard. They modified the scene! They had the crowd pretend to cheer without making a sound, and the tech crew became way more mindful of the lights. We accommodated the animal and kept everyone safe! 🐴🎬✨
🎭 In 2024: I created a multidisciplinary circus act for Cirque à la Carte. The story of my act shines a light on an RVT who feels stuck in her 9-5 despite her love for animals, giving a voice to neurodivergent pros who were told they "weren't the right fit" and faced termination without cause.
(If you are curious about the act I created, check out the YouTube link in the comments! 👇 And yes, in the story, the owners of the patient are actual clowns—and they tip me with circus equipment instead of the typical Tim Hortons Timbits! 🍩❌🎪✅)
🐾 In 2025: As a mobile RVT, I cared for travelling circus dogs while their mom,
professional circus sideshow performer
Wendy Blades was on stage. We did fear-free nail trims, adventure walks, cooperative care, and enrichment activities! 🐾 To be clear, they were not part of the show; they were part of the behind-the-scenes family life of the performer.
🎟️ In 2026: I am challenging the status quo by specializing in pet-friendly entertainment! 🎟️🐕 🤹♂️I mean, Dog TV is a thing, and so are doggy birthday parties—why not circus-level fun with a performer that scientifically created her performance in a way that dogs experience the world?!
💭🐾 THE VISION FOR THE FUTURE
Imagine this: An event that says "dog-friendly," but it's not just an open invitation to bring your pup. It means exposing your dog to a curated experience with a performer who is deeply serious about quality enrichment, emotional wellness, and strict biosecurity protocols!
This is exactly why I provide Pet Owner Education and coaching. I know that by teaching owners how to prevent avoidable accidents and stress, we actively reduce emergency cases and prevent the burnout of the staff inside the vet clinics! That is the RVT difference. 🩺🎪
It's often said that vet med professionals are the weirdest people around, and honestly? I wear that proudly! 👑✨ As an RVT, I'm breaking the traditional clinic mold to build a career entirely in a lane of my own. While some might see an odd combination, others think it's totally rad. 🌟 Never apologize for letting your curiosity and passions guide your career. You can blend your worlds together—because knowledge is power, and innovation is key!
If you are a Vet Med professional or organization that appreciates my Unicorn ways as an RVT, please share your thoughts in the comments! 👇
🚀 Looking to the future: I am actively seeking corporate sponsors and partners to help bring this unique concept to life across the province for 2026-2027!
If your organization wants to champion vet tech mental health, neurodiversity, RVT innovation, and elite fear-free pet entertainment, let’s connect! 💌🐾✨'
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