Jennifer Blatnick | Broadview University

​My path to graduation began in 2016 when I was 35 years old. I worked in the human services field working with people with disabilities for more than 14 years. I got as far up the company ladder as I could and I couldn’t go any further, due to
the higher positions always being full.

In 2016 my mom passed away and it made me seriously think about where I was in life and if I was truly happy. I realized that I had the potential to do so much more and I needed a change.

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My passion in life is animals. I have had several different species as pets: hamsters, guinea pigs, turtle, hedgehog, lizard, frog, horses, dogs, and cats. I really enjoyed taking care of them and loving them. In return they made me feel loved. I realized that I wanted to become a Veterinary Technician and take care of all the animals I could, professionally. I talked with my husband about this major life change I wanted to undertake and he was extremely supportive. He told me to chase my dream because he knew I could catch it.

I saw that Broadview University offered a Veterinary Technology Associates degree and knew this was perfect for me. I thought it would be hard to go back to school and be surrounded by other students who were half my age. I wasn’t sure that I would fit in. My worries were quickly laid to rest because the classmates I spent the last year and a half with really encouraged me and were incredibly supportive. We worked as a team and helped get each other get through the program.

The clinical skills I learned seemed pretty scary at first. They were things like venipuncture, surgical assisting, anesthesia, vaccinations, radiographs, laboratory testing, and so many others. I didn’t think I would be able to poke an animal with a needle and syringe or intubate and catheterize one. I really didn’t want to cause any pain to an animal. But, I got over my fears about these things because of the amazing teachers who encouraged me and gave me tips on how to succeed. Now I am able to do these things with confidence because I know I can do it and it is to help the animal.