The best veterinary care starts with the best people – those who bring expertise, compassion, and dedication to every patient interaction. At Faithful Friends, we pride ourselves on hiring both administrative and veterinary staff who find true fulfillment in supporting pet parents and caring for animals that are sick or in pain.
One of those exceptional team members is Caitlin Dutcher-Lundy, our Director of Clinic Operations. Beyond keeping our day-to-day running smoothly, Caitlin is a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) and a Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Clinical Practice with a focus on Feline Medicine. Her credentials reflect years of training, hands-on experience, and a deep commitment to elevating the care we provide – especially for our feline friends.
Here’s a few things to know about Caitlin, including her background, role at Faithful Friends, and why she’s such a valued member of our team:
Her Love for Animals Began at an Early Age
Caitlin was born and raised in West Virginia, where her family home was filled with all sorts of pets – both furry and scaly. Her Alaskan Malamute, Rambo, left a lasting impression on her, and helped spark her lifelong passion for animal care.
She Had a Calling in Feline Medicine
Caitlin’s journey began in shelter medicine, where she discovered a deep love for working with animals. Over time, her focus shifted exclusively to cats, and she became actively involved in a comprehensive Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program. This hands-on experience solidified her passion for feline medicine. Determined to build a career in the field, she went on to earn her degree in Veterinary Technology from Chattanooga State and later became a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) in Ohio.
Since then, Caitlin has worked extensively in feline-only medicine, assisting with advanced feline medical cases and complex surgical procedures. She is also Cat Friendly Certified, meaning she’s undergone additional training and certification to better understand the behavioral and medical needs of cats, ensuring a low-stress experience for both pets and pet parents.
Wanting to combine her love of veterinary medicine with her passion for leadership, Caitlin later pursued a degree in Business Administration from Franklin University. This has empowered her to build strong, supportive teams, mentor RVT students, and help her colleagues grow both personally and professionally.
She Is a Certified Veterinary Technician Specialist
In April of 2024, Caitlin achieved one of the highest honors in her field – becoming a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Feline Clinical Practice (VTS – CP-Feline). This certification, awarded by the Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Clinical Practice, recognizes Veterinary Technicians with advanced clinical experience and mastery of specialty-specific skills.
It’s no small feat to become a VTS, either. To earn this credential, Caitlin completed more than 10,000 hours in clinical practice and honed her ability to perform advanced feline procedures, such as relieving urinary obstructions, placing feeding tubes, managing radioactive iodine treatments, and monitoring anesthesia for high-risk patients and cases. It’s a rigorous process, and one that reflects Caitlin’s deep commitment to feline health and high-quality patient care.
As a VTS – CP-Feline, Caitlin is also uniquely qualified to develop medical protocols, guide clinical standards, and lead staff training and development. Her expertise and leadership make her an invaluable part of both our cat specialty center and Faithful Friends family.
She Still Makes Animal Care a Priority Outside of Work
When she’s not busy caring for patients or running operations at our clinic, Caitlin enjoys sharing her expertise with other technicians and veterinary professionals. She regularly contributes articles to FelineVMA magazine and other industry publications and has been a featured speaker for the DC Academy. This fall, she will also be speaking on behalf of Royal Canin.
She is also a member of OAVT (Ohio Association of Veterinary Technicians), NAVTA, and spends time volunteering for EveryCat Health Foundation. You can also find Caitlin at PopCats on May 31 and June 1st, the 2025 CFA International Cat Show & Expo, and helping out at the FelineVMA.
…But she still maintains a work/life balance!
Feline care is certainly a major part of her life, but Caitlin also puts aside plenty of time for gardening, traveling, or simply relaxing with family and friends. She and her husband, Daniel, share their home with two adorable French Bulldogs—Roky and Kiki—and three cats: Mona, Bubbles, and Citrine.
She’s Thrilled to Serve Pet Parents and Patients at Our New Cat Specialty Center
Set to open in a few short months, there’s a lot to love about our new Cat Specialty Center. To Caitlin, one of the best features of the new space is the radioactive iodine room, a dedicated space for administering radioactive iodine. This treatment, which allows us to cure hyperthyroidism, eliminates the need for daily medication and frequent bloodwork – a win for both cats and their owners!
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At Faithful Friends, team members like Caitlin represent the level of dedication and quality care we strive to provide every day. To learn more about our team, services, or to book an appointment, don’t hesitate to reach out, we’re happy to help and answer any questions you might have.
