By: The ABC Employees
For MarTriana Barnett, a love for animals wasn’t only a ardour. It grew to become the spark that launched a brand new profession path. Immediately, as she completes Animal Habits Faculty’s Veterinary Assistant Program and begins working in a veterinary hospital, MarTriana is popping that zeal into significant work serving to pets and their households every single day.
Earlier than enrolling at Animal Habits Faculty (ABC), MarTriana was already working round animals. She hung out working at a shelter about 45 minutes from her dwelling whereas additionally holding a job as a gross sales affiliate at Greenback Common. Though she loved serving to animals, it was one specific canine who actually modified every little thing.
“A lightbulb second was once we had this canine named Imelda within the shelter,” MarTriana remembers. “She was my woman. Her story touched me, and dealing with these shelter infants made me wish to develop extra on this business.”
That have motivated MarTriana to pursue formal training in animal care. Nonetheless, like many college students beginning a brand new program, she initially puzzled whether or not she would have the ability to full it.
Assist from Her Program Supervisor
“I had doubts that it was going to be too laborious for me to complete and attain all
my targets,” she says. “However these doubts went away after I had ABC’s help,
particularly Miss Penny.”
MarTriana accomplished ABC’s Veterinary Assistant Program in February 2026 and additional strengthened her data by further coursework. In 2025, whereas incomes her certificates, she additionally accomplished ABC’s Pet Diet and Eating regimen short-term program. On her personal time, she not too long ago earned a Concern Free® certification to additional help low-stress dealing with and take care of animals. Most not too long ago, in March 2026, MarTriana achieved a key purpose by passing the Authorised Veterinary Assistant (AVA) examination by the Nationwide Affiliation of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA).
Throughout her externship, MarTriana skilled alongside an skilled veterinary staff that helped her develop each expertise and confidence. She credit veterinarians Dr. Smith and Dr. Roach, and observe supervisor Mrs. Megan, together with veterinary technicians and employees Lilly, Alyssa, Paige, Kiana, Londyn, Roy and Miss Sherry for making a long-lasting influence and serving to her on her journey.
“On my final day of externship they jogged my memory that I can do that,” she says. “They taught me to believe and all the time ask questions – as a result of there’s by no means a dumb query.”
ABC’s curriculum additionally performed a key position in getting ready her for hands-on work. MarTriana particularly appreciated the academic movies and classes overlaying animal restraint and consumer relationships. “The restraint movies made me really feel far more assured,” she explains. “Studying about consumer relationships additionally helped me really feel like I’m in the proper subject.”
That confidence is already paying off. MarTriana not too long ago accepted a place at Skyview Vet Clinic, whereas she continues working part-time as a gross sales affiliate. She’s excited to formally begin her veterinary profession.
Wanting forward, MarTriana hopes to proceed
increasing her expertise and credentials. She plans to attend a veterinary
convention to earn persevering with training credit and join with different
professionals within the subject. MarTriana can be persevering with her private training
and growth by attending Purdue College’s Veterinary Technician Program.
She’s notably captivated with working
with senior pets and hopes to finally discover emergency care and develop
training for all kinds of animals.
“After my externship, the senior infants actually
touched my coronary heart,” she says. “I really like my oldies.”
MarTriana believes compassionate care begins
with constructing belief.
“My philosophy is to first get to know the
affected person and construct that belief and relationship,” she explains. “That method each
time they see you, they really feel like they’re in a protected place.”
Even early in her profession, MarTriana is already
inspiring others. She’s proud that youthful relations have begun asking her
about working with animals. As an African American skilled getting into the
veterinary subject, she’s additionally inspired to see individuals round her sharing her
story and recommending the profession path to others. For MarTriana, understanding that
her journey would possibly encourage another person to observe their dream of working with
animals is one in every of her proudest milestones.
“That’s a milestone for me,” she says.
“Letting [young people] know to observe their desires if that is what they need
to do.”
For college students at the moment working by their
ABC program, MarTriana presents easy however heartfelt recommendation:
“Maintain going. It could be laborious at occasions, however you
can do something you place your thoughts to.”
And for anybody interested by enrolling at ABC
however feeling hesitant?
“Simply do it,” she says. “ABC is one hundred pc
behind you throughout your journey.”
A lot of MarTriana’s inspiration additionally comes
from dwelling, particularly from her French Bulldog, Thriller.
“My largest inspiration is my canine,” she says.
“He made me wish to return into this subject. I couldn’t be extra grateful for my
foolish canine.”
With a brand new profession
underway and plans for continued training, together with curiosity in ABC’s Pet
Therapeutic massage and Coaching Shelter Canines quick time period packages, MarTriana is simply
getting began on what guarantees to be a rewarding journey in animal care.
Whereas Kyle has not too long ago returned to work part-time as a Ballistic Missile Protection Teacher, Feels Like House: Canine Care continues to develop beneath the management of his spouse, Victoria, who now serves as Common Supervisor. With a devoted staff, growth milestones already achieved, and a group of devoted purchasers, Kyle’s imaginative and prescient is obvious: create a spot the place canines actually really feel at dwelling.
From army service to saving canines others ignored, Kyle Parrillo’s story is a strong reminder that goal usually finds us once we’re keen to reply the decision.
