Alura, Lead Technician
Alura was born in California and moved to Arizona as a child, and she loves the heat! She always knew she wanted to work with animals and graduated with her certificate in Veterinary Assisting from Carrington College in 2014. In junior high, she volunteered at animal shelters and after high school volunteered at zoos and exotic animal rescues here in Arizona. She has worked as a technician since 2014, joined the SLCAC team as our technician lead in 2020, and she is currently studying to become a licensed certified veterinary technician (CVT).
She lives with her boyfriend and their 13 pets- 1 dog, 3 rats, 2 cats, 1 snake and 6 tarantulas! Alura is always looking to learn new things and improve the quality of patient care. She is passionate in facilitating a calm, fear free environment for anxious pets and is striving to keep up to date with the newest techniques and educational resources in order to make your pets visit as low stress and positive as possible. Alura takes pride in educating clients about the importance of preventative care and what you can do at home to keep your pet healthy and happy. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, hiking, reading, spending time with family, watching hockey games and eating snacks.
Michelle, Technician Lead
Michelle started her career as a veterinary technician in 2000 and moved to Arizona in 2006 to be closer to family. Since she was young, she has wanted to work in the veterinary field—helping animals is truly a lifelong passion for Michelle! She joined the team at SLCAC in March 2022, and she is currently studying to become a licensed certified veterinary technician (CVT).
Michelle has two dogs, a cat, a snake, and two (human) sons. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her pets and learning to paint.
Caleb, Certified Fear Free Professional
Caleb is an exceptional member of the Sun Lakes Chandler Animal Clinic team, known for his Fear Free Certified Professional expertise and deep-rooted passion for animal welfare. Born and raised right here in Arizona, Caleb has always been drawn to animals, considering them his “best friends” since his earliest memories. His journey in animal medicine began in 2007 when he began as a Veterinary Assistant, and he joined the dedicated team at Sun Lakes in 2022, where he has since become a key figure.
At the core of Caleb’s approach is his profound interest in animal behavior, especially in understanding and communicating with canines — a skill he affectionately refers to as ‘speaking dog.’ This unique ability enables him to forge trusting and meaningful relationships with the canines he works with, ensuring their comfort and well-being. His certification as a Fear Free Professional is a testament to his commitment to creating a stress-free environment for animals under his care.
Caleb’s approach to animal care is deeply influenced by his certification as a Fear Free Professional. This certification is not just a title; it represents a profound commitment to reducing fear, anxiety, and stress in animals during veterinary visits and training sessions. Fear-free techniques are centered around creating a safe, comfortable environment for animals. This involves using treats as positive reinforcement, gentle handling to avoid triggering stress or fear, and paying close attention to the animal’s body language to ensure they remain calm and relaxed.
Caleb is fervently working towards furthering his education in animal behavior and training and is committed to a growth mindset and continuous learning. In every interaction, whether with a playful puppy or a more reserved older dog, Caleb’s goal is to make a positive difference in their lives. We are excited to introduce Caleb’s upcoming Puppy Training program, a perfect blend of his insights into animal psychology and practical, effective training techniques. This program is designed for those looking to guide their pups toward becoming well-adjusted, joyful companions. If nurturing and training your puppy in a supportive and skilled environment is for you, Caleb’s class could be the ideal choice.
