Maren is originally from Canada and completed their first degree in Biological Sciences there, finishing with an exchange semester in Singapore. Maren then moved to Australia to attend Murdoch University where she obtained a dual degree in veterinary medicine and surgery, followed by a Masters in Veterinary Studies in Conservation Medicine. Maren has worked in a variety of small animal and exotics clinics in Perth and kept a toe in the realm of education by teaching wildlife topics to 4th and 5th year veterinary students at Murdoch University.
After gaining experience in course development and instructional design, Maren obtained a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and went on to blend their knowledge of veterinary medicine and instructional design by writing and designing a course on wildlife medicine for veterinary professionals for a project for WA Wildlife and WWF-Australia. Maren is thrilled to be able to continue to use both her veterinary and education skills to contribute to the training of veterinary nurses and animal care personnel with the incredible team at AVT.
Maren works in course development at AVT, using skills in instructional design to create and develop course content. Maren is also a Trainer and Assessor for students in the Certificate IV Veterinary Nursing program.
Fuelled by a passion for wildlife, Maren has travelled to South Africa, India, and New Zealand to participate in conservation medicine programs. She completed a training in chemical immobilisation of wildlife in South Africa which informed her Masters dissertation on anaesthesia in rhinoceros species. She is also a self-proclaimed bird nerd with a particularly soft spot for WA’s native black cockatoos.
When they’re not off gallivanting with rhinos, Maren is a fanatical cat mum and volunteers as a foster carer for Cat Haven. She and her wife (and their two spoiled cats Ellington and Calloway) have helped raise and re-home 7 litters of orphaned kittens so far without foster failing any of them, but it’s bound to happen eventually.
Maren’s Qualifications:
- BSc Biological Science
- BSc Veterinary Biology
- BSc Veterinary Medicine and Surgery
- Master of Veterinary Studies – Conservation Medicine
- Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
