Her Story
About Allison
Allison Recancoj, She/Her, is a veterinary medicine and animal health professional based in the Greater Portland Area with extensive experience spanning clinical practice, laboratory animal science, and veterinary operations leadership. She has dedicated her career to advancing animal welfare and clinical excellence, building a strong foundation in both hands-on veterinary care and team development. Her professional journey reflects a consistent commitment to high-quality patient care, operational improvement, and leadership within fast-paced veterinary environments. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences with a minor in Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology from the University of California, Davis. During her time at UC Davis, she developed a strong academic foundation in animal biology, ecology, and veterinary science, which reinforced her long-standing passion for animal health. After graduation, she began her career at Banfield Pet Hospital, where she entered the veterinary field in a client-facing reception role and quickly advanced into a veterinary assistant position. In this capacity, she gained extensive hands-on clinical experience supporting veterinarians, assisting with diagnostics and treatments, and ensuring compassionate communication between the medical team and pet owners. Allison later joined Pet Care Animal Hospital, where she expanded her scope of responsibility to include both clinical support and operational management. Alongside her veterinary assistant duties, she served as inventory manager, overseeing procurement, supply chain coordination, budgeting, and cost control. This role strengthened her understanding of the business and operational side of veterinary medicine and sparked her growing passion for leadership and process improvement. Most recently, Allison spent over two and a half years at Labcorp Early Drug Development within veterinary operations, where she advanced to the role of Team Lead Veterinary Technician of Veterinary Operations. In this leadership position, she manages and mentors a team of veterinary technicians while overseeing training programs, onboarding systems, and workflow improvements that enhance both efficiency and quality of care. Her technical responsibilities include triaging complex cases, administering medications, performing surgical procedures, monitoring anesthesia and vital signs, conducting dental cleanings, and supporting a wide range of diagnostic and laboratory procedures. She thrives in dynamic, unpredictable clinical settings where critical thinking, precision, and adaptability are essential. Allison is especially passionate about leadership in veterinary medicine and remains committed to advancing both animal welfare and team development throughout her career.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Allison
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
This field is certainly tough, difficult, and challenging. I knew it myself going into the field, and have had so many times where I thought I was done, or even leaving the field. But I pushed through and kept powering forward, because there's a reason why I chose this path, and I have that innate desire to contribute and help animals in need. Yes, someone else will be there to help our patients, but wouldn't you want to be a part of that journey? A challenging journey, but in the end, the most fulfilling, satisfying thing I could ever do, and it gives me that sense of purpose. I'm contributing to society, dedicating these positive contributions to the world, and saving even just one animal life every single day- it just makes it all worth it. Continue to push through, break down the barriers, no matter what anyone tells you. When you feel that fulfillment and success, it'll just make your (exhausting) journey worth it.
02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
There are so many challenges I’ve faced within both Veterinary Medicine and Laboratory Research. Being a woman within vet med seems great because it is more of a woman-dominated industry, but unfortunately that’s not always the case. Some will see you as lesser than or not good enough. Some can see you as competition. I received questioning and disbelief, such as “do you deserve to be here?” And was even told that I did not deserve my accomplishments and advancement of positions. I was often the youngest one in the room- but I’m in the room for a reason. At a very early age, I began my working and leadership journey, so I simply earned myself a head start. As a Latina in Wisconsin, I face lots of inequality and lack of diversity. The challenges of being a woman, young, and Latina- Some don't think I have what it takes, or that I don't deserve the opportunities that I’ve worked so hard for. I think the most important thing to recognize is that there's a reason why I'm so successful in my career at such a young age. Even with all of these challenges of being from several minorities, it speaks in itself that I am there alongside other leaders. That I am a leader. Not despite my minority qualities, but because of them. That innate challenge alone grew my personal resilience and strength that allows me to lead with confidence. I'm not going to let others doubt impact my work ethic and objectives, because my goals are to empower my teams through support and collaboration, lead the next generation of veterinary technicians, and improve the future for quality animal medicine and health. We joined the animal field to help those without a voice. We strive to alleviate pain and suffering of any and all animals. We all share the common goal of saving animals and making them feel better. Why would we be anything less towards one another? The very team that is supporting you in reaching that shared goal. We know how to practice empathy and compassion with our patients, so let’s try with each other!
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