In love with
animals since she was little, Jessica Van Boening always knew she was
destined to work in the pet world. When she started exploring
veterinary-field schools, Jessica realized she couldn’t afford an
expensive veterinary technician school or college to get her veterinary
tech license. Nor could she pay for full-time daycare for her then
four-month-old daughter Rylee Sue. In addition, with a traditional
classroom setting, Jessica knew she wouldn’t be able to spend much time
with her husband Jaye, a six year Army veteran stationed at Fort
Cambell, Ky.
“Jaye’s schedule was always unpredictable,” Jessica said. “Most
jobs, people have set times of getting home. Not with the military. My
husband could get a call in the middle of the night, having to be at
work in 10 minutes. Or he would be at work for four hours and have the
rest of the day off. It really is just hectic and I knew I could not
plan on a studying schedule around his working hours.”
“ABC’s home-learning program was a perfect fit for me and I found it
far more conducive to my situation when compared to the regular
university I had attended for one semester,” she continued. “I could
study when my daughter was napping and work my schedule around when my
husband was home. I was very grateful that the MyCAA program provided me
with the tuition I needed to complete my studies.”
Jessica completed her hands-on course training at the Bowling Green
Veterinary Clinic and now works there. The knowledge she gained about
snap tests, animal restraints and how to sanitize the rooms properly
proved very relevant to her job. Jessica currently works in the sale
barn at the facility. She tags cows and bulls for state identification
and assists with pregnancy checks, vaccinations, semen checks and
castrations. As she gains experience in the field, she frequently
references back to the knowledge she acquired at ABC.
“I find myself doing things without being asked, which makes me feel
amazing,” Jessica said. “I have random moments where I think, I totally
remember reading about this in my textbook.”
There certainly is no shortage of animal “face time” for Jessica
when she is at home. When her husband was recently deployed to
Afghanistan for his third tour, she moved in with her mom and dad in
Missouri. Between her “furry friends” and the pets at her parents’ home,
there are a total of 38 animals. In the photo above, she is riding Ace,
her Polish Arabian gelding who is 11 years old. There are also four
other horses, her daughter’s pony, a miniature horse, three dogs, three
cats, one rooster and 25 chickens.
Jessica always believed she’d be successful in the veterinary field.
“My ABC experience was so valuable in helping me reach my dream of
working with animals, which I felt was my path even at an early age,”
she said. “The staff was so nice and easy to talk to. I loved every
minute of the program. When the things you do make you happy, you do
them well.”
Jo Serrano
lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico and currently works at the VCA
Veterinary Care Hospital. Although she loves working with animals,
cosmetology was her first passion. She has been a hairdresser for 42
years and is presently working in both professions. Jo worried about her
future, she says “I got to thinking that I didn’t want to be doing hair
at 65. What else could I do that I am also passionate about? I have
always enjoyed being around animals, and knew that a career in the
veterinary world would be great!”
Two years ago Jo started looking for jobs in the veterinary field.
Most of the available positions required previous experience and an
educational background in veterinary medicine. Jo comments, “I was
interested in the veterinary program at my local community college but
it was too demanding on my schedule. I needed to work full time while
also going to school.”
Jo began exploring other ways to work with animals. While doing
some online research she came across Animal Behavior College. The ABC
Veterinary Assistant Program would allow her to go back to school while
still earning a living. She comments, “The course is very doable. The
time frame is reasonable and so is the tuition. Also, studying at home
and having access to practice tests was a big plus for me.” The
hands-on portion of the course solidified Jo’s commitment to following
this career path. “The externship helps a person see if they really
want to work in a veterinary hospital. You work with live animals
instead of just reading about them. I thought: I’m here with the
animals and maybe I can help them somehow,” she says.
After she completed her externship, Jo continued to volunteer at the
facility. The staff recognized her hard work and dedication and after 3
months, Jo was hired as a veterinary assistant. She knows that there is
still so much to learn and is continuously trying to expand on her
knowledge of the field. Jo observes and assists with a variety of
procedures at the animal hospital including nail trims, blood draws,
injections and catheter placements. She is receiving more training and
becoming more successful everyday at the VCA Veterinary Care Hospital.
Jo describes her experience as an ABC Certified Veterinary Assistant
as “nothing but positive.” She adds, “Everyone I have had contact with
has been friendly, helpful, encouraging, and kind. I have recommended
this program to several people. Animal Behavior College has made my
dream become a reality.”
Trisha
Southall has always loved being with animals and has a passion for
helping those in need. After working as a caregiver at an adult group
home for the past 14 years, Trisha began seeking a career that would
incorporate both facets into her life. She explains, “I have always
wanted to help animals, but the cost for college was a huge issue for
me. When I saw an advertisement for Animal Behavior College on Facebook,
I made the call, and haven’t looked back.” The ABC veterinary assistant
course was a perfect fit for Trisha because she would not only be able
to work with animals but also nurse them back to health.
After successfully completing the book portion of the program,
Trisha began her externship at Angels for Animals in Canfield, Ohio,
only 15 miles away from her home. She says “It [the externship] was a
great learning experience. I learned how to administer vaccinations,
hold a dog during an examination, the proper procedure to give
medication, and how to correctly clean a cage.” Halfway through her
externship, Trisha was offered a job at the hospital. “Thanks to ABC
college, I have more doors open to me than I ever thought possible. It
helped me realize that I can be a successful vet assistant,” Trisha
comments.
Once Trisha graduated the Veterinary Assistant Program with honors,
she decided to continue to supplement her education by enrolling in the
ABC Dog Obedience Program. She would recommend any of the programs at
ABC to those interested in working with animals. In Trisha’s experience,
“the ABC staff was always there to answer any questions I had and I
could take the exams as they fit my schedule. I thought I would only
get to dream of working with animals, but thanks to ABC that dream is
now a reality.”
For April
Sparks, the courage to take a leap of faith has allowed her to touch and
save animal lives in a big way. Originating from Jacksonville,
Arkansas, ABC Veterinary Assistant Program graduate April Sparks always
knew she wanted to work in the pet care industry. “Veterinary assisting
has always been my first choice career wise. I have always wanted to
work with animals.” However, life does not always go as planned. When
April was blessed with a child of her own, she could not conceive how
she’d be able to juggle going to school to pursue her dream along with
being a new mom. April admits, “I have always wanted to study
veterinary medicine, but when I had my daughter I thought that life was
over, but this program has made me realize that I can do anything I set
my mind to.”
After almost giving up her dream to pursue her career in veterinary
medicine, April Sparks turned to the internet to do some research. She
soon found the Animal Behavior College website, and along with it
discovered that ABC works with the Military Spouse Career Advancement
Accounts (MyCAA) program to assist military wives in pursuing their
career aspirations. April had little doubt once she discovered ABC that
it was the college for her. “I considered Penn Foster, but Animal
Behavior College seemed more informative and the admission counselors
where so helpful. Terrence Crook was my admissions counselor and he was
very friendly. He made me feel welcome. Michelle Metzger was my Program
Manager and she was amazing! She was always there when I needed help.
Everyone that I spoke with from ABC was pleasant and sincerely cared
about helping me.”
April thrived as a student in Animal Behavior College’s Veterinary
Assistant Program and graduated as an honors student. The home study
allowed her to balance her learning with her time at home while the
hands on portion gave her real life experience. “ABC has opened up so
many opportunities for me and my family. I got to learn something that I
love and always wanted to do while I stayed home and took care of my
family. It has also made me realize that I can do more that I thought I
could. ABC has boosted my confidence and it is an amazing school for
full time parents and workers.”
After graduating from the ABC Veterinary Assistant Program, April
was offered a job at the veterinary clinic that she did her externship
at. She now works full time at the Eubanks Animal Clinic. She works
with the veterinarian most days and as a receptionist a few days out of
the week. “There are so many things that I have done and I have only
just begun. I have taken the American College Testing (ACT) aptitude
test and scored a 23. I have also applied to a university to pursue a
Bachelor’s Degree in biology. Hopefully one day I will continue on to
Veterinary Medical School. I saved a puppy’s life a week ago and I was
so proud of myself. ABC taught me how to do this. I love going to work
everyday. Without ABC, I would probably still be a housewife. I am so
happy with my career choice. Thank you ABC!”
With three
generations of stock car racers in her family the name Megan Reitenour
is most commonly associated with the world of Nascar. Reitenour began
her racing career 15 years ago at the age of 5 when she began racing
Quarter Midgets. Although being a professional race car driver was
Megan’s first career choice, she has always loved animals and has used
this love to spark a new career for herself. “I have had a hard time
securing funding to race this year so I wanted to pursue my second
passion. The care and well being of animals has always been very
important to me.”
While Megan has always loved animals, it was volunteering with her
local animal shelter that confirmed her desire to become a certified
veterinary assistant. “I have always been good with animals but working
at the veterinary hospital gave me the confidence to know I can do a
good job and be successful at it. It also helped me be more alert for
problems with my own animals as well as the pets of my family and
friends. “
Having the desire to pursue a second career and actually finding
the resources to do so is two different things. Once Megan knew she
wanted to train to become a certified Veterinary Assistant, she then had
to figure out how to work it into her busy racing schedule. After doing
some research, Megan discovered Animal Behavior College. “I felt ABC
was the best program available. It seemed structured, yet flexible to
accommodate my busy schedule as well. I was able to work in a top notch
veterinarian facility with great people who took the time to work one on
one with me and let me get the hands on experience that I needed to be
successful in this career field.”
A resident of Statesville, North Carolina, Megan now divides her
time between working as a professional race car driver, a veterinary
assistant, and a contributing supporter of SICSA (Society for the
Improvement of Conditions for Stray Animals). She works with the
Statesville Animal Hospital and is seeking permanent employment in the
veterinary field. She is also focusing on starting her own pet sitting
business in the near future.
A New Mexico
native, Lynnda Ferguson has always had a profound love for animals,
beginning with the self-described love of her life, her thoroughbred
horse Ajax. Throughout her life, Lynnda has pursued a great deal of
endeavors, beginning with acting. She has been a professional actress
for 25 years, and has worked in classical theater, on television, and in
films. Although her career as an actress was something that she was
passionate about, she had always dreamed of working with animals.
A few years before enrolling in the program, Lynnda faced breast
cancer. Although the diagnosis was tragic, she has always looked at the
positive side of things, and described it as a life-changing experience,
in more ways than one. Surviving cancer made her realize that she
wanted to work with animals, and that she belonged in the animal
industry.
After some extensive research, Lynnda decided that the best
education to pursue would be a Veterinary Assistant certification. She
was drawn to Animal Behavior College because of the home-study coupled
with hands-on training. What truly made her decide to become certified
through ABC was the assistance of a program manager. Lynnda knew that
she was a self-motivated person who could complete the program, but the
fact that there was a professional in her field of study there to help
answer all of her questions and assist her with understanding the
information was the most appealing aspect of ABC.
Once she enrolled in the program, Lynnda was not disappointed. ABC’s
faculty was warm, open, and willing to help. She found the material
clear, concise, and easy to comprehend. Whenever she encountered
something that she did not understand, she would call her program
manager Ashlie with questions.
Lynnda’s favorite part of the program was the externship. Applying
all of the knowledge that she had gained from the book work to a
hands-on environment was an invaluable learning experience. The fact
that ABC assisted her with finding an externship location was an aspect
that she truly appreciated.
Lynnda graduated from ABC’s Veterinary Assistant program with honors in June of 2010.
As a result of becoming certified through ABC, Lynnda was hired at
her externship location, and currently works there as a part-time
employee. With ABC’s help, she found success in the animal industry, and
is now living her dream. Since Animal Behavior College gave her an
excellent foundation in veterinary medicine, she is now pursuing a
degree as a Registered Veterinary Technician. She loves working with
animals, and is open to any new opportunities that the veterinary field
can offer her.