Mark Mastriani is a 2022 graduate of our Tucson campus Veterinary Technician associate degree program. His current role is playing key roles in finding cures for diseases like Parkinson’s and ALS. His story highlights the many areas of focus someone with a Veterinary Science degree can explore.
Here’s his story.
“I am a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT), employed at the University of Arizona with the Veterinary Services and Animal Behavioral Team at the Center for Innovation in Brain Science. We focus on finding cures for: Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis and ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). The hands-on experience and skills I obtained from Pima Medical Institute’s Veterinary Technician (VT) program has been invaluable in my new fast-paced career.
After spending several years in the aviation industry, the pandemic forced an opportunity upon me that led me to pursue my passion for animal sciences as my next profession. After researching several programs, I decided Pima Medical’s Veterinary Technician program was perfect for me. The curriculum has a heavy emphasis on hands-on skill development, offers year-round enrollment and includes externships with a variety of practices and quality educators (CVTs and DVMs).
I was apprehensive about returning to college after graduating so many years ago and was intimidated by current educational technology. The team at Pima Medical were very accepting and supportive and the program was a great experience for me. My courses allowed me to gain both real-world experience with hands-on labs and real-work experience (large animal experience at ranches and rescues, microchip clinics, spay and neuter events) and were a great addition to my resume. I was offered a position at my first externship site, a busy 24-hour mixed practice emergency veterinary hospital and recently started my new exciting career at the University of Arizona. I’m thankful for Pima Medical’s VT program which offered me the opportunity to pursue my goals in the veterinary field by providing the tools I needed to succeed and make a difference.
Get started on a career that can change your life too!
