Danielle Biggs, A.A.S., B.S., R.V.T.
Registered Veterinary Technician, Clinical Trials
I was born in Australia, but moved to Colorado when I was a baby. My dad worked for an oil company and we moved around a fair amount while I was growing up. With my two younger brothers, we went from Colorado to Alaska, to Texas, to California, and then back to Alaska. After a brief stent in Florida, I moved back to Colorado and have been here since 2000, officially making it the state I have lived in the longest. I have called Fort Collins my home since 2004.
Growing up, our household was always full of animals. We had everything from dogs and cats to rodents, reptiles, birds, and fish. I was also lucky enough to have a horse, which was a dream come true for me. We visited Australia often during my childhood as my dad’s side of the family still lives there. My granddad even gave me a cow, who was born on my birthday, which I named Buttercup. I have been passionate about animals for as long as I can remember, and I have always been fascinated by them. I learned of Bel-rea Institute of Veterinary Technology shortly after I moved back to Colorado and immediately jumped at the chance to become a Certified Veterinary Technician. I graduated from Bel-rea in December 2002, passed the VTNE in January 2003, and have been working as a CVT and maintaining my certification ever since.
My love of horses drove me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in equine science from CSU, which I received in December 2008. After dipping my toe in the equine world, I realized that my passion for work was still small animal medicine. I have worked as a CVT in general practice for 16 years. While I love general practice, I wanted a change and the chance to make more of an impact with my career. When I saw the job opening at FACC I didn’t hesitate to apply. Being that FACC is world renowned, I was a bit intimidated, but also so excited for the opportunity. It feels amazing to be in an environment where everyone continuously strives to make a positive impact on the lives of animals and the people who love them. I love that this is a place where I will always be able to grow.
Over the years I have known many people and animals who have been touched by cancer. My Grandpa Dan died of colon cancer. I have two uncles who have battled prostate cancer and my husband’s grandma has battled breast cancer multiple times. I had a cat, named Rex Manning, who was diagnosed with serous adenocarcinoma and my beloved pitweiler Gretta, who was the first dog I got after moving away from home, died of a hemangiosarcoma. Cancer is so sneaky and knows no bounds. If something can be done to help prevent it from occurring, and I got to be a part of the process, it would be one of the greatest experiences of my lifetime. The most exciting part about the trials and research being conducted at the FACC is that it could one day translate to human medicine.
I am still just as passionate about animals as I always have been. My husband Tim and I have a menagerie that consists of four dogs, Vincent, Dog Goblin, Edmund Yabbie, and The Dude; two extra fluffy kitties, Silk Chubbs Manning and Fluffy Fuffy Cream Puff, who I rescued from the barn when they were 4 weeks old; two Nigerian Dwarf goats, Mickey Blue Eyes and Gustav; a potbellied pig, Sir Hurley Oink’n’Flop AKA Pig; a wallaby, Wally Wallerson AKA Walla; a cockatiel, Spike; and a beautiful Morgan Arabian horse, Black One. When I’m not working, I’m usually busy caring for my own creatures. I love galloping bareback through fields on my black horse, taking long walks with the dogs, spending time with my wonderful husband, and doing festive photo shoots of all my beloved pets.