Meet Tucson Vet Tech Student Malena Apodaca

In celebration of National Veterinarian Technician week, we are telling the stories of Pima Medical Institute vet tech students and grads.

Malena Apodaca attends our vet tech program in Tucson. She’s loved animals since she was a child, and it stuck with her.
 
“Over the years I have owned and cared for many animals including dogs, cats, tortoises, snakes and geckos. During my time at PMI I gained a wide knowledge of various animals, such as dogs, cats, goats, horses, cattle, and exotics.

The hands-on training at PMI is extremely helpful in preparing you for the real situations that arise in the clinic. Without the opportunity to physically perform and practice the necessary animal care tasks, working in a clinic would be very difficult. The live patient surgeries are the toughest but also the most beneficial aspect of the veterinary technician program, and I feel that it has prepared me greatly for the workforce.

 I have just completed my classes for the technician program and I am currently on extern. I will graduate with my associates degree in December and take my state and national exams shortly after. I am employed at Acacia Animal Hospital, an exotics clinic in Tucson, as a veterinary technician and at Central Pet, a boarding facility also in Tucson, as a kennel technician.

After I have graduated and become certified I want to either specialize in veterinary dentistry or zoological medicine.”