Holly Crandell, CVT
Holly Crandell, CVT (She/Her) is a Certified Veterinary Technician with more than 20 years of experience delivering exceptional patient care, client education, and team leadership across specialty and general practice settings. She is also a Floral Design Specialist and owner of Flowery Ever After, blending creativity and entrepreneurship with her longstanding commitment to service. Holly has held an incredible love for animals since childhood, and as a teenager developed a deep interest in human medicine and biology—an influence that ultimately shaped her calling. Combining her passion for animals with her fascination for medicine has been the joy of her heart and the driving force behind her career. A graduate of Lone Star College System, where she earned her Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology and graduated first in her class with a 4.0 GPA, she brings clinical excellence, communication expertise, and a strong foundation in mentorship and education to every role she serves. Throughout her career, Holly has practiced in surgery, anesthesia and pain management, emergency and critical care, oncology, small exotics, wildlife rehabilitation, and general practice. She is a Certified Pet CPR & First Aid Instructor with Pet Emergency Education and holds advanced CPR certification through the American College of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care, in addition to FEMA certification in Animals in Disasters: Awareness & Preparedness. A former veterinary technology instructor, she is deeply passionate about education and hands-on training, particularly mentoring externs and supporting new technicians in clinical settings. Known as the “go-to” team member for colleagues navigating challenges, Holly is recognized for her compassion, attentive listening, and steady leadership. For the past three years, she has also served as a Peer Support Volunteer with Not One More Vet (NOMV), providing guidance and support to veterinary professionals facing burnout, mental health struggles, and crisis situations. Beyond veterinary medicine, Holly has worked with silk florals for nearly three decades. She launched her Etsy shop in 2017, growing it from a small creative outlet into a flourishing business designing wedding florals, home décor, and local Pittsburgh events. Her floral design work has been both a creative passion and a profound source of emotional resilience, particularly during significant health challenges in recent years. The flexibility to create from home not only sustained her entrepreneurial growth but also safeguarded her mental well-being. Looking ahead, Holly’s long-term vision is to open a brick-and-mortar floral studio, an inviting space for bridal showers, birthday celebrations, and bespoke floral retail where she can continue blending artistry, community, and heart-centered service.
• Certificate, Peer Support Specialist
• Certification in Small Animal CPR: Basic & Advanced Life Support
• FEMA Certification, Animals in Disasters: Awareness & Preparedness
• Certified Veterinary Technician
• Lone Star College - AS, Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant
• Graduated First in Class with High Honors
• 4.0 GPA
• Certificate of Academic Excellence
• National Honors Society
• Dean's List
• Phi Theta Kappa International Honors Fraternity
• Peer Support Volunteer with Not One More Vet
• Highmark Caring Place
What do you attribute your success to?
I think the bottom line for me is having the willingness to persevere through any adversity. Having that mindset has given me the courage to walk through some really, really scary times, including some very serious, life-threatening health crises recently. I have been able to recognize that even when life gets hard, I can still do my part to try and create success for myself and help others achieve it as well. I'm VERY determined. My life has not been easy, but I have learned that because of the things I have been through, I can survive anything - literally anything. The past 3 1/2 years have truly put everything into perspective for me. I have to remind myself to analyze each situation as it comes, and if it is not life-or-death, then I know it's going to be okay. Every problem has a solution, and I put that into practice with every obstacle I face. I've also learned how and when to take care of myself, and what it means to acknowledge that I have done a good job, I have done my part, and now I have to give up the rest to God. Practicing this state of mind has given me the awareness of how to let go of the outcome and to know that even if I don't have the best solution at the moment, I can keep working to find it.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I don't know that I have received specific, direct advice from someone, but I have learned a lot by watching others do what they do, and then emulating that behavior. I watch how people achieve success and then take action to incorporate that into my own business model.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't give up! Never quit, do not accept defeat! If it's your passion, that means it's your heart's work, and you will succeed, even if it seems slow and frustrating at times. Seek out help from other entrepreneurs or veterinary medical professionals and watch what they do that makes them successful. Ask questions - there are no dumb questions! Do something scary every day and write it down - this helps build self-confidence and self-esteem. Keep this list in a "Things that are Scary, But I Do Them Anyway" diary, and refer back to it often. Remind yourself of where you started and how far you've come, and how much farther you can go (and believe me, it's much, much farther than you think!!). I love the quote by Henry Ford: "Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right."
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in the floral design industry right now is inconsistent sales and income. There's a lot of competition, and it boils down to whether the customer is interested in your item or someone else's, and whether it fits into their budget. Many people are really struggling right now and with prices of basic necessities continuing to rise, the money for home and wedding decor is typically not part of the budget.
As far as the veterinary field is concerned, I believe there are many serious challenges right now: long working hours, often times with no lunch or bathroom break; dangerous working conditions, workplace and cyber-bullying and toxicity, pet owners who can't afford care and blame the profession for not giving services for free, low wages, short-staffing, and most of all, the current mental health crisis that we are seeing in the profession right now. Vet med has one of the highest suicide rates of any profession in the country, and many of our most talented members are leaving the profession altogether. We are working on solutions for these things, but change has been very slow and somewhat of an uphill battle. I think bringing more awareness to the difficulties the profession is facing right now could help garner compassion from pet owners and the public as a whole.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important value to me in my professional and personal life is having deep compassion for others and being present to show understanding and empathy with what they are going through. In my experience, letting others know that they are seen and heard gives them the courage to move forward with whatever challenge they are facing. If you know me, you know I'm your biggest cheerleader! Being able to reach out to people or animals who are struggling and provide compassion, comfort, and hope is not only a reward but also an honor to be able to have that impact in their lives.