It’s Veterinary Technician Week and this year’s theme is “Credentialed Veterinary Technicians Change Lives.” This theme highlights the significant impact that credentialed veterinary technicians have on the lives of their patients, clients, colleagues and the community. Pima Medical Institute offers a veterinary assistant certificate program and veterinary technician associate degree at several campus locations.
This week we would like to give special recognition to all of our program directors, clinical directors and instructors who work tirelessly to prepare our dedicated students as they enter the workforce. Veterinary Technicians are compassionate, caring, dedicated professionals, and are often the first people we encounter when our pets are struggling or facing an emergency.
In addition to the human instructors, we would also like to highlight some of our four-legged “assistants,” who are more than willing to help out our students (of course they’re paid with snacks and snuggles for their service).
Check out some of our current “campus critters” who help to play a crucial role in the education of our students.
See for yourself why they are so special. They have even provided bios to help you get to know them.
Want to learn more about Pima Medical Institute or our Veterinary programs? Get started now!
Hi, I'm Fred
I hang out at the Colorado Springs campus location.
My favorite things are fetch, swimming and pulling my mom on walks.
My perfect day is anything as long as people are involved.
My special talent is finding food to eat.
The most important thing to know about me is I'm the bestest boy alive.
The most surprising thing about me is I like to dig.
My favorite thing about Pima Medical Institute is going to school with my mom and getting love from all the students
Hi, I'm Goose
I hang out at the Colorado Springs campus location.
My favorite things are squirrels, butt rubs, and the ball!
If I was a super hero I’d actually be the real Goose, Maverick’s wingman!
My perfect day is is lounging by the fireplace, watching squirrels by sunrise, followed by fetching tennis balls midmorning, followed by squirrel chasing late morning, midday nap, more squirrel watching, going for a swim or two! Climbing a mountain with my dad followed by zoomies, more fetching tennis balls, mid afternoon nap, having my baby hooman brother throw my ball for me some more, maybe some dinner, then snuggling in my cozy bed.
My special talent is keeping squirrels out of my backyard!
The most important thing to know about me is I love my baby hooman brother and family soooo much!
The most surprising thing about me is I’m a bird dog that prefers squirrels and hates the loud boom of a shot!
My favorite thing about Pima Medical Institute is all the students that love me of course and all the students I can help be the best veterinary assistants and technicians they can be!
Hi, I'm Topper
I hang out at the Rancho Los Amigos Equine Ranch near the Chula Vista campus location.
My favorite things are Pop-tarts and being very handsome.
If I was a super hero I’d be Black Panther!
My perfect day is working with the veterinary Technology students.
My special talent is growing a handlebar mustache and being patient and kind with the students.
The most important thing to know about me is I am a stallion!
The most surprising thing about me is I am a stallion, but I act like a gelding
My favorite thing about Pima Medical Institute is the students get to work with me and they are always so kind to me!
Hi, I'm Tia
I hang out at the Phoenix campus location.
My favorite things are helping students and getting lots of attention!
If I was a super hero I’d be ”Totally Awesome Tia”
My favorite thing about Pima Medical Institute is getting to help the students with their hands-on learning
Hi, I'm Vinny Bean
I hang out at the Tucson campus location.
My favorite things are FOOD, belly rubs, treats, more belly rubs and chin scratches.
If I was a super hero I’d be Vinny the Foodie Avenger!
My perfect day is coming to school with mom, getting pets and love from the students, taking a nap and getting peanut butter cookies.
My special talent is saying “woo woo” to greet all of my friends. I also give great handshakes, even when you don’t ask for them!
The most important thing to know about me is I am a distinguished gentleman and a lady’s man.
The most surprising thing about me is I know when people are feeling anxious and I like to sit with them to make them feel better.
My favorite thing about Pima Medical Institute is all of my friends and aunties!
Hi, I'm Rosie Posie
I hang out at the Tucson campus location.
My favorite things are food, cuddles, back scratches.
If I was a super hero I’d be Bark Blaster Rosie!
My perfect day is cuddling on the couch with my mommy, running at top speed around the backyard, getting treats and sleeping under the blankets with mom at night.
My special talent is I can run faster than any of my siblings or friends! My mom says I am a zoomer!
The most important thing to know about me is I love to love! I will give anyone kisses as long as they are nice to me and I will never be unhappy to see you.
The most surprising thing about me is I was created by aliens and sent to Earth to survey the environment, but I have failed my mission and taken up the good dog life.
My favorite thing about Pima Medical Institute is seeing all of my friends, occasionally getting to play with new friends and sneaking kisses and cookies from anyone I can find!
Hi, I'm Lenny
I hang out at the Tucson campus location.
My favorite things are toys of all sorts, snacks, ice cubes, my human dad, playing in water, and my BDFF (Best Dog Friend Forever) Coco.
If I was a super hero I’d be Drax from Guardians of the Galaxy!
My perfect day is playing with my friends, playing in water, rolling in dirt, eating elk antlers, and then napping on the tile floor.
My special talent is definitely not speed. I’m slow, but I’m strong!
The most important thing to know about me is I will sell my whole family for peanut butter.
The most surprising thing about me is that I’m a big guy, but I’m still a puppy. My mastiff dad is 190 pounds and I’m well on my way there, too!
My favorite thing about Pima Medical Institute is the attention I get from the students of all programs!
Hi, I'm Kalliope
I hang out at the Tucson campus location.
My favorite things are toys! Squeaky toys, squeaky balls, chewing toys, all of the toys! I also LOVE cookies.
If I was a super hero I’d be Kalliope the Protector!
My perfect day is going for a long walk, playing ball outside with mom and dad, running around the yard with dad, playing with my big brother Vinny, getting a few cookies, and cuddling in the bed with my big sister Rosie.
My special talent is I can do more tricks than anyone else I know!
The most important thing to know about me is I love my siblings more than life and I will do anything to protect my mom.
The most surprising thing about me is I am a big love bug and a momma’s girl through and through.
My favorite thing about Pima Medical Institute is hanging out with my friends, playing in the dog yard and getting lots of cookies and pets!
Hi, I'm Macchiato Joe!
I hang out at the Houston campus location.
My favorite things are attention and playing fetch.
If I was a super hero I’d be Captain America!
My perfect day is a day at the dog park.
My special talent is being a good boy and helping my human.
The most important thing to know about me is I love everyone. I am also very kind.
The most surprising thing about me is I play well with puppies and cats.
My favorite thing about Pima Medical Institute is the students! They only come to class for me. I don't always understand why the big screen is so important to them when I am there.
Hi, I'm Samantha
I hang out at the Houston campus location.
My favorite things are food, blankets, and snuggling with humans.
If I was a super hero I’d be Captain Marvel!
My perfect day is any day spent with people.
My special talent is hogging blankets!
The most important thing to know about me is that I have never met a stranger; I’m SO friendly!
The most surprising thing about me is I lost my eye due to a genetic issue!
My favorite thing about Pima Medical Institute is all of the student attention I get when I come to class!
Hi, I'm Tater
I hang out at the Houston campus location.
My favorite things are roaming the yard, sleeping, ear scratches and ice cubes.
If I was a super hero I’d be Superman!
My perfect day is a mild sun-filled day laying out in the yard.
My special talent is saving lives; I was a blood donor!
The most important thing to know about me is that I love to be pet but will NOT give kisses!
The most surprising thing about me is what breed I am mixed with – Boxer!
My favorite thing about Pima Medical Institute is all of the student attention I get when I come to class!
Hi, I'm Daisy
I hang out at the East Valley campus location.
My favorite things are Ellie, fish, chicken, vegetables, sweets…pretty much everything except black olives.
My perfect day is coming to campus, stopping in at Student Services (snack), then Career Services (snack), then student lounge (floor scraps always possible), then VTA Classroom (snack), then to my office (sip of water). Then VT classroom in someone’s lap for a nap. Later, outside, then over to Becky (snack), Kasey (snack). Repeat!
My special talent is making everyone smile!
The most important thing to know about me is I love being here!
The most surprising thing about me is I turned 12 this year.
My favorite thing about Pima Medical Institute is SNACKS!
Hi, I'm “Bruno.” I am a Doberman.
I hang out at the East Valley campus location.
My favorite things are playing fetch, eating snacks and taking naps.
If I was a super hero I’d be Robin (I am more side kick energy)!
My perfect day is going for a walk, saying hi to all the Pima students and faculty, eating watermelon as a treat and falling asleep either with my head in a desk or with my favorite blanket under a desk
My special talent is I look like a baby deer/ baby horse when I run
The most important thing to know about me is I am always looking for an emotional support human to pat my head.
The most surprising thing about me is I am afraid of feathers and big leaves when they blow in the wind.
My favorite thing about Pima Medical Institute is saying hi to all the students and being able to fall asleep in their laps.
Hi, I'm “Duke.” I am a Blue Heeler or “American Cattle Dog.”
I hang out at the East Valley campus location.
My favorite things are swimming, running, and helping students with skills
If I was a super hero I’d be Aqua Man!
My perfect day is getting a pup cup, going swimming, and cuddling with my favorite blanket.
My special talent is being able to do an agility course.
The most important thing to know about me is I love people and being the center of attention.
The most surprising thing about me is I have never chased cows.
My favorite thing about Pima Medical Institute is helping the students with their skills and when they give me treats!
Hi, I'm Ellie
I hang out at the East Valley campus location.
My favorite things are treats, pets, making my rounds to make sure everyone is where they’re supposed to be.
If I was a super hero I’d be Enthusiastic Greeter!
My perfect day is being with mom.
My special talent is Emotional support, greeting everyone and everything.
The most important thing to know about me is I am a rescue dog, I love just about everything, I live the best life.
The most surprising thing about me is I was scared of everything when my mom adopted me.
My favorite thing about Pima Medical Institute is I get to come everyday, be loved on by everyone who comes my way. I get treats!
Hi, I'm Pepper Nelson and I am a wild boy cattle dog
I hang out at the East Valley campus location.
My favorite things are barking in my yard to keep birds, lizards, and anything else out and to keep my humans safe.
If I was a super hero I’d be me. I don’t know what a super hero is, but I know my mom tells me every day that I saved her life and that I have helped the lives of many scrubbed humans too.
My perfect day is a day with just me and my mom.
My special talent is how long I can bark.
The most important thing to know about me is my life didn’t start out this great.
The most surprising thing about me is I am very afraid of those pesky blue and reds lights that are so very loud and seem to happen very randomly in my area. It’s scary, you feel me?
My favorite thing about Pima Medical Institute is “accidentally” peeing on the scrubbed humans. I know my mom gets embarrassed but it’s just my version of the scrubbed ones squealing and me giving them something to remember me until the next time I see them.
Hi, I'm Poker!
I hang out at the East Valley campus location.
My favorite things are Kabob Bones and rolling around in the grass.
If I was a super hero I’d be Batman!
My perfect day is soaking up the sun at the park and rolling around in the grass.
My special talent is playing dead and chasing cars.
The most important thing to know about me is I have congestive heart failure.
The most surprising thing about me is I am 15 years young
My favorite thing about Pima Medical Institute is the staff and other people’s pets.
