How Penn Foster’s Vet Tech Program Helped Jo Dsouza Balance Work, School, and His Passion for Animals
Are you interested in becoming a vet tech and want to learn what the process is like? Meet Jo Dsouza, a recent graduate of Penn Foster’s Veterinary Technician Associate Degree Program. The flexibility and hands-on experience the program offers helped Jo turn his passion for animals into the right career for him. Learn about his experience and if this program could be a good fit for you in this blog post!
Finding his path in veterinary medicine
For many animal lovers, they know they want to work with our furry friends but don’t know how or in what capacity. For Jo, he weighed his options. “I realized being a [Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)] wasn’t quite the right fit for me,” he shared. “But I have a lot of respect for those who do it.” He learned about the role of registered veterinary technicians and how it allows for specializations.
Read more: CVT vs LVT vs RVT: What’s the Difference?
Why Jo chose Penn Foster
Like so many people, Jo leads a busy life. Not only does he have several fur babies, but he juggles familial responsibilities with a long commute to work and is even working on his bachelor’s degree. “Doing an in-person program just wasn’t realistic,” he explains. “Penn Foster offered the flexibility I needed while still providing webinars, resources, and externship opportunities. That balance made it the right choice for me.”
Those weren’t the only reasons, however. Once Jo learned that Penn Foster’s program is AVMA accredited and also prepares students to take the VTNE exam, he knew it was the perfect fit.
Read more: Vet Tech Unveiled: Expert Answers to Your Burning Questions
Hands-on experience that makes a difference
Working with animals can be life and death, so the education and preparation for it must be taken seriously. That’s why hands-on experience during the education process is so important. Jo felt the same way and valued the fact that Penn Foster’s program includes two required externships. He was able to get experience in both a small clinic and through a fast-track program, which he was able to travel for in order to get his large animal experience.
Jo shares his positive experience doing his second externship through this program. “It was amazing. The program was led by Susan Curtis and her team, and we worked with tons of animals—cows, goats, horses, even a hawk. I got to perform skills alongside a small group of students, and it was both educational and really fun. Being from the Bay Area, it’s hard to find large-animal experience, so this was a great opportunity.”
Read more: What Do Veterinary Technicians Do? (Certified Vet Techs & Vet Tech Instructors Weigh In)
Balancing life, work, and school
Time management can be difficult for any student, but especially for adult learners juggling several things at once. So how did Jo stay organized?
“I rely on planners—lots of them,” he said. “I use a Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, a physical planner, and even a whiteboard planner. I set alarms for deadlines and stick to a routine. The program’s self-paced structure also helped. There weren’t strict weekly due dates, but Penn Foster checked in often and helped me stay on track toward my goals.”
The flexibility an online vet tech program like Penn Foster offers can make a huge difference for someone struggling with balance in their lives.
Read more: How to Advocate for Yourself as a Vet Tech
From student to veterinary professional
The Penn Foster Veterinary Technician Program played an instrumental part in getting Jo on the road to becoming a registered vet tech. In fact, his externship he completed through the program led directly to his current job!
“The externships gave me real-world experience and even led directly to my job. I started interning at a clinic as part of my externship, and they hired me!” Jo’s been working at that same clinic for over 3 years while he studies for the VTNE exam. Thanks to the real-world experience he’s gained through his externship and his job, Jo has been able to build confidence performing veterinary duties. He explains, “The externships really prepare you to know how to do everything. You get three tries per skill, and the evaluators are so supportive—they tell you what to improve and help you get it right.”
Read more: What to Know About the Vet Tech Externships
Looking ahead: Jo’s goals and advice
Jo continues to work towards becoming a registered vet tech post-graduation by studying for the VTNE. He’s looking into specializations in exotics, dentistry, or radiology. He’s interested in working in an exotic clinic in time.
For current or future vet tech students, Jo offers this bit of advice: “Read everything about the program first so you know what to expect. It can seem overwhelming at first, but you’re never alone—you’ll be supported the entire way.
I’d also say reach out to other students! I made so many friends through Facebook groups and the Penn Foster Externship Support Group, which has staff members who are super helpful. The externships might sound intimidating, but they’re one of the best parts of the experience.”
Read more: How to Pass the Veterinary Technician Exam (2024 Guide to the VTNE)
Take a page out of Jo’s book
Like Jo, you can set out on the path to reach your vet tech goals with Penn Foster’s Veterinary Technician Program. “The Veterinary Technician program opened so many doors for me,” he says. “It’s not just one path—it’s a gateway to countless opportunities, from general practice to holistic and specialty work.”
This same gateway can open for you! If you’re considering becoming a vet tech like Jo did, request more information about the program to see if it’s the right fit for you.
