From Hospital Teams to Veterinary School: 69 Vetcor Team Members Take the Next Step into Vet School
September 3, 2026
Every veterinarian starts somewhere.
For some, that journey begins with walking dogs or cleaning kennels. For others, it's helping in surgery, supporting pet owners, or learning from experienced veterinarians during busy days at the hospital. Before becoming veterinarians, students gain valuable experience, build relationships, and discover their passion for helping animals.
This fall, nearly 70 Vetcor team members from 24 states will either begin or continue their veterinary school journey. Many started their careers in Vetcor hospitals as veterinary assistants or technicians, while others gained experience through summer team member roles and externships. Along the way, they learned new skills, gained confidence, and found mentors who helped guide them.
Now, they're heading to veterinary school with those experiences behind them, and their hospital teams couldn't be more proud.
A Hawaiian Hospital Celebrates Three Future Veterinarians
At Home Animal Hospital and Mobile Veterinary Services in Hawaii is celebrating a remarkable milestone this year: three team members are heading to veterinary school.
For Kathleen Andrion, the path to veterinary school included two years as a veterinary technician while pursuing her dream of becoming a veterinarian. During that time, she became known for her hard work, dedication, and commitment to both patients and clients.
As she prepares to attend Oregon State University, her teammates reflected on her growth and impact:
"You are such a hard-working person, and we greatly appreciate all that you have done for us. You have grown so much as a vet assistant and are so valued by many of our clients. Everyone here at At Home Animal Hospital will miss you so much, but we know that you are off to continue your education, something that you have worked hard to achieve."
Kathleen says some of her favorite moments in veterinary medicine have come from assisting in surgery and learning alongside veterinarians. Those experiences confirmed what she already suspected: veterinary medicine was exactly where she belonged.
Joining her in this year's incoming veterinary class is Shamica Segundo, who will attend North Carolina State University. Her teammates know firsthand how much she'll be missed.
"You are such a strong asset to our team and we don't know what we will do without you. Everyone here at At Home Animal Hospital will miss you tremendously and all the hard work and dedication you've put into this clinic. We can't wait to see where this journey takes you, but know we're all rooting for you!"
Skylar Adelman is also beginning an exciting new chapter, enrolling at Tufts University this fall. Since joining the hospital, she became an integral part of the team and left a lasting impression on her coworkers.
"You have really grown as a vet assistant since starting in December and we are so glad that you came to work with us and decided to stay a little longer than planned. You have really become a part of the At Home Animal Hospital community."
Celebrating Future Veterinarians At Vetcor
Stories like these are unfolding in Vetcor hospitals from coast to coast.
At Daisy Mountain Veterinary Hospital in Arizona, Aislynn (ACE) Konski is preparing to attend the University of Arizona. Her team shared their excitement, saying:
"We're proud of your achievement and can't wait to see the amazing things you'll accomplish in veterinary medicine."
Clients joined in the celebration as well, with one commenting:
"Congrats!!! You are going to be an awesome vet!"
In Wisconsin, the team at Animal Hospital of Howard congratulated Breanna Nowak on earning a spot at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
"Your dedication and hard work are truly inspiring. Here's to your bright future in animal care!" Breanna also received congratulations from clients, including one who shared, "Breanna is a wonderful person. She will be a wonderful addition to the veterinary profession. Very proud of her!"
And in Michigan, East Lansing Veterinary Clinic celebrated Margaret Norman's acceptance to the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. 
"She's a wonderful assistant, so we're sure she'll be just as fabulous of a veterinarian!"
For each student, the destination may be different, but the story is often the same: years of hard work, a passion for animal care, and a supportive team cheering them on.
This year's incoming class reflects the strength of Vetcor's student community. Texas A&M University, Oregon State University, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison will each welcome four students from Vetcor hospitals this fall. Hospitals across the Vetcor network, including Woodbridge Veterinary Group, We Care Animal Hospital, Rosenberg Veterinary Clinic, Rolling Hills Veterinary Hospital, Red Hill Animal Health Center, and Perrinville Animal Hospital, are also celebrating multiple team members as they prepare to begin veterinary school.
Vetcor Externships Extend Learning Beyond the Classroom
The journey doesn't stop once veterinary school begins.
Externships give students the opportunity to step beyond the classroom and experience veterinary medicine in action, transforming textbook knowledge into real-world clinical skills.
At ABC Animal and Bird Clinic, veterinary students Patti D. and Elena S. immersed themselves in both exotic and small animal medicine. Elena worked closely with Dr. Vivian Ho and Lead LVT Jose P., who encouraged her to expand her clinical skills while sharpening her critical thinking. One memorable experience included scrubbing in for a complex guinea pig surgery.
The clinic also introduced a new twist to its externship program. Students were invited to teach the hospital team through continuing education presentations. Patti presented on E. cuniculi in rabbits, while Elena shared best practices for caring for backyard chickens, creating valuable learning opportunities for both students and staff.
At Cascade Pet Hospital, veterinary student Olivia G. completed a three-week externship filled with hands-on experiences, from placing IV catheters and performing dental procedures to observing surgeries and practicing suturing techniques.
Reflecting on the experience, Olivia said:
"I'm so grateful for everything I learned from Dr. Taylor and her team. Dr. Taylor is an incredible mentor who challenged me to think through cases like a clinician while also giving me the opportunity to build my hands-on skills. The technicians and assistants were just as invested in my learning and were always willing to teach, answer questions, and share their knowledge."
Experiences like these help bridge the gap between classroom learning and clinical practice, giving students the confidence and skills they'll carry into their future careers.
How Vetcor Supports Veterinary Students
Throughout the year, Vetcor's Vet Student Recruitment Team connects with students through career fairs, campus visits, lunch-and-learn events, and partnerships with veterinary student organizations nationwide. Those connections often lead to hands-on opportunities in our hospitals. This year, Vetcor hosted 74 veterinary students through summer job programs across 30 states and 198 veterinary students through externships across 37 states and Canada, helping students gain real-world experience while building relationships with veterinary teams and mentors.
For University Recruiter Kelly Chapman, one student's journey highlights the impact of those connections.
"I had a student that wanted to find a hospital close to their family home and at a location where she would fit in and feel accepted, as she was very nervous about starting her clinical journey. Not only did we find a hospital close to home, but we also found her one that welcomed her like family, and she was able to make invaluable connections with the doctors and staff. This student plans to return on breaks and apply for a new grad position as graduation approaches!"
Stories like this demonstrate how the right hospital experience can provide students with both the confidence and support system they need as they begin their veterinary careers.
University Recruiter Robin Price says helping students discover those opportunities is one of the most rewarding parts of her role.
"I've always found students to be incredibly inspiring. Their level of dedication keeps me motivated in so many ways, from advocating to our practices about the importance of hosting externships and summer jobs, to helping students find those opportunities, to planning on-campus activities around educational topics, networking, and a little R&R. Being able to support them throughout that journey and play even a small part in helping them build their careers is what I enjoy most."
This year's incoming class is a powerful reflection of that commitment.
Whether someone joins a hospital as a summer employee, completes an externship, works as a technician, or begins their first role as a veterinarian after graduation, our commitment remains the same: helping every student grow, learn, and succeed. Explore Vetcor student opportunities and start your journey today.
Congratulations, Future Veterinarians
As team members take the next step on their vet med journey, we couldn't be prouder of what they've accomplished so far. Your journey is just beginning, and we're excited to see the veterinarians you become.
