The bees were just the latest animal-related endeavour for Vicky, who begun riding horses at a young age, adopted a rescue dog when her parents were on holiday as a teen, and once had a pet kunekune pig she kept inside.
Vicky turned her love of animals into a career after studying animal behaviour at Unitec.
"She became a dog trainer working with mobility dogs and then worked at kennels in Waitakere, before becoming a team leader at Silverdale Animal Shelter," Julie said.
"Dogs were her favourite. Vicky was very good at convincing people they needed another pet."
While working at the shelter could be difficult, Vicky was passionate about her work. She had hoped to open an enrichment yard to train dogs so they could be rehomed.
"Shelter workers cop a lot of abuse," Julie said. "They don't deserve it. They don't make the rules, they just enforce them.
"If there could be one thing done in her memory, it would be great if people were nicer to the shelter workers. She would love that."
Vicky's love of animals also led her to rescue an ostrich she found on the side of the road, train elephants in Thailand and train with dangerous dogs in America.
A tribute collection and campaign has been set up in Vicky's memory by Orewa animal charity HURRAH to encourage the de-sexing of dogs.
