Page 81 - 45th Anniversary Alumni Success Stories

At the age of 44 I was diagnosed with stage four cancer.
I went through two difficult years of being very sick and
spending time in and out of the hospital. After several
operations, I was told if the chemo didn’t work, I had six
months to live. I was sent to a grief counselor who asked
me, “If you could do life all over again, what is one thing
you would change or do over?” I told her that I would
have dedicated my life to helping animals and the people
who love them. Prior to my cancer, I had been working
and making decent money, but I was left feeling empty.

The chemo worked, and I started PMI’s Veterinary
Assistant Program. What a challenge! Being around all
the younger students was intimidating. I was concerned I
wouldn’t be able to keep up with the fast paced learning
after so many years of not being in school. However, my
classmates turned out to be some of my best friends! The
instructors were fantastic! They were tough, but cared
about me. I am currently working at VCA Alderwood
Companion Animal Hospital and this spring I plan to
begin schooling to become a Veterinarian. I am achieving
my dream and it all started with Pima Medical Institute!

If any of my PMI instructors were standing in front of
me at this moment, I would probably break down, hug
them and say thank you!

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