Animal Whisperer: Grad Works as Vet Tech

By Desiree Cooper

Jaclyn Adams (MS 15), who graduated with a master’s in biology with a zoology concentration, is working as a veterinary technician/ receptionist at Country Club Animal Clinic in El Paso, TX.

“I’ve always loved working with animals,” Jaclyn explained. “At a veterinary clinic, I feel like I can make a difference in improving animals’ lives.”

Her job duties include assisting the veterinarian in appointment rooms, drawing blood, taking x-rays, giving injections, filling prescriptions, reception duties and so much more.

Jaclyn Adams

“It’s a fast-paced environment with so much to learn. It can get overwhelming at times,” she said of the challenges. The position, which she started in January 2015, has its perks too: Jaclyn’s favorite part is playing with the puppies and kittens that come in.

Jaclyn has previously served as a veterinary assistant at Jefferson Veterinary Hospital in Maryland, an intern at Carnegie Natural History Museum in Pittsburgh, a graduate assistant at ENMU and an administrative assistant at Canam Steel Company in Point of Rocks, MD.

A hiker who also enjoys playing soccer and camping, Jaclyn would like to work in conservation research or in a zoo setting, so she chose to pursue her degree with a zoology concentration (which she noted is a difficult concentration to find).

“This degree opens up many opportunities for me to do that.”

The technician’s time at Eastern, which included being part of the Fish and Wildlife Club, working in the ENMU Natural History Museum, and attending local events like the Roosevelt County Fair, helped her gain more research experience and learn new skills which makes her more competitive.