Sometimes, the path to finding your purpose isn’t a straight line. It is a journey shaped by different experiences, challenges, and passions. All meant to guide you towards where you’re supposed to be. In this article, we’re excited to share the story of Xavier Carr, a graduate of Ross Education’s Veterinary Assistant program whose dedication, resilience, and love for animals led him to a meaningful career. Though his direction wasn’t always clear, Xavier found confidence and clarity through his time at Ross, ultimately becoming a valued member of the team at Wilson Veterinary Hospital. In this interview, he reflects on his personal growth, the key moments that brought him to Ross, and the transformative lessons he learned in the classroom and during his externship.
Here is his story:
Tell me a little bit about yourself.
I grew up here in Michigan, splitting my time between the Adrian area and further north, near Yale, due to my parents living in different locations. After graduating high school, I found myself in a common predicament – I wasn’t really sure what my next steps were. For a while, I just kind of drifted, not really pursuing anything specific. But then, as I approached my 21st birthday, something just clicked. I realized I wanted to do something meaningful with my life. Something that genuinely excited me.
I’ve always had a profound love for animals, so naturally, my thoughts turned to careers where I could work with them every day. I started researching different options, primarily looking into veterinary assistant and veterinary technician roles. I decided to pursue the assistant route first. It felt like a smart way to dip my toes in, to really see if this was the long-term career path for me before committing to the more extensive technician program. That’s when I discovered Ross. The program sounded perfect, and I remember it so clearly. I applied that very same day! It just felt right.
So, you started with the veterinary assistant program. Are you still planning to pursue the veterinary technician certification?
Absolutely! That’s definitely still in my plans. Right now, I’m working at Wilson Veterinary Hospital, and they have an amazing opportunity. If I stay with them for a certain period, they’ll actually pay for my entire veterinary technician schooling! It’s an incredible benefit and a huge motivator. I’m currently just building up my time with them so I can embark on that next phase of my education. From what I understand, Wilson has their own established online program that technicians go through. So, it won’t be through Ross for the technician part, but it’s still fantastic that they’re investing in my future like that. Why wouldn’t I take advantage of an opportunity where they’ll pay for my schooling, right? It’s a no-brainer! And actually, something else I’ve been thinking about, which really excites me, is eventually coming back to Ross, but this time as a teacher. I would love to teach at the New Baltimore campus where I studied.
Could you elaborate on your experience at Ross?
My experience at Ross was quite unique, actually. For about 50% of my time in the veterinary assistant program, I was the only student in my class on campus. We had online students who would come in for labs on Fridays, but day-to-day, it was just me. It was definitely interesting. There were both good and not-so-good aspects to it.
On the positive side, the entire course was pretty much at my pace. If there was a concept I didn’t fully grasp, we could spend as much time as needed discussing it, and making sure I truly understood the material. This personalized attention was invaluable. However, the downside was that I didn’t have any peers to collaborate with on group projects or to bounce ideas off of.
I started with one classmate, and after she graduated, I was by myself for three entire modules. It wasn’t until my last two modules that we finally had other classmates join. By that point, I was already quite proficient in most of the labs and course material. So, I naturally found myself helping to teach them, guiding them through procedures. That’s really where I discovered my passion for teaching. It was incredibly rewarding to help others learn and succeed. My overall time at Ross was truly fantastic though. I was genuinely excited to come to class every single day, eager to see what new things we would be learning, what discussions we’d have, or what exciting labs we’d be doing. That feeling of anticipation, of wanting to learn, is just the best!
Let’s talk about your externship. How did that transition from the classroom to a real-world veterinary setting go for you?
The externship was actually pretty smooth sailing for me, mostly because of how I landed the position at Wilson. While I was still going through the course, we received calls at Ross from two different places looking for veterinary assistants. One was from Snap, which is kind of like an animal shelter that focuses on spay/neuter services and adoptions. The other was from Wilson Veterinary Hospital. I went to Snap first, but they had just filled their position. So, I moved on to Wilson, and I’m so incredibly grateful I did! I absolutely love it there.
Being able to do my externship at Wilson was an incredible advantage. It wasn’t just theoretical learning anymore; it was real, hands-on experience every single day. The best part was the synergy between my studies and my practical work. If there were things I hadn’t covered in class yet, I was learning them directly at Wilson. Then, when we went back to the classroom, I already had a foundational understanding. If we learned something in class, like how to draw up vaccines or prepare flushes, I could immediately apply that knowledge at Wilson. It accelerated my learning significantly. I was actually able to do my entire externship paid, which was just an added bonus!
How long have you been with Wilson since graduating?
I graduated in January, but I’ve been with Wilson since late September of last year. So, in just a couple of months, it’ll actually be my one-year anniversary with them. Time flies when you’re doing something you love!
Can you tell us more about what a typical day looks like for you at Wilson, knowing every day is probably a little different?
No two days are exactly alike at Wilson, which is one of the things I love about it. Typically, I wake up, get ready, and head straight to work. When I arrive, the first thing I do is check where I’ve been placed for the day. We have a rotating system, so no one is stuck doing the same task all day, every day, whether it’s just cleaning, or only handling check-ins and discharges. This constant movement keeps things fresh and ensures we’re well-rounded.
Recently, I’ve been extensively trained in what we call “treatment.” This involves helping to administer medications to our hospitalized patients and generally assisting with their care. So, I often find myself in the back, working with our recovering patients. My responsibilities there include going through each patient’s chart, checking their schedule for medications, walks, or other needs. This could involve drawing blood for glucose checks, or preparing other necessary treatments. I pretty much bounce around between patients for the rest of my shift, always keeping an eye out to help anyone else on the team who needs an extra hand. It’s dynamic and requires constant vigilance, but it’s incredibly rewarding.
Have you faced any significant hurdles during your time at Ross, during your externship, or now in your current role? And if so, how did you navigate them? Or has it been smooth sailing for you?
That’s a great question. While I’ve generally loved my experience, there have been some challenges as well. One of the most significant challenges I’ve faced, particularly at an emergency hospital like Wilson, is the emotional toll that comes with certain cases. We handle a lot of emergency C-sections, and unfortunately, there are times when a puppy doesn’t make it, for one reason or another.
Dealing with those moments, trying to help resuscitate them, or witnessing their struggle, it’s incredibly difficult. The emotional aftermath of seeing a puppy that, despite all efforts, doesn’t pull through, is probably one of the biggest challenges I face. Many people, myself included, view their animals as cherished family members. I am 100% a believer in that – my pets are my family! So, seeing that level of grief in owners, and experiencing it yourself, really hits hard. It takes a lot to process and continue moving forward, but it’s a reality of working in this field.
Thank you for sharing that. It’s clear that empathy is a huge part of your role. On a different note, what do you enjoy doing in your free time when you’re not busy caring for animals at the hospital?
When I’m not at work, my favorite thing to do is spend time with my own dogs. I have two wonderful pups. There’s Apollo, my majestic Great Dane. He’s truly my big baby, a gentle giant who loves to cuddle. I grew up with Great Danes, so I’ve always been drawn to them. And then there’s Peter, my energetic Miniature Poodle. Watching them interact and play together is endlessly entertaining. They have such different personalities but get along so well.
I actually have a special connection to Peter. I adopted him from Wilson’s. He was a parvo puppy who was left at the hospital because his previous owners couldn’t afford his extensive treatment. He pulled through against the odds, and he was in the final stages of his recovery when I started working there. I found out he was up for adoption, and no one else working there wanted him. I guess he was a bit of a handful! I knew I had to take him home. It was inspiring to see how resilient he was. It’s always tough to see animals sick, but it’s so rewarding when they recover and find their forever families.
Looking ahead, what are your future career plans and aspirations?
As I mentioned earlier, my immediate goal is to progress to becoming a veterinary technician. I’m actively working towards that, utilizing the opportunity Wilson is providing me. Once I achieve that, my long-term aspiration, which I’m very passionate about, is to eventually return to Ross and teach. I want to share my experiences and knowledge with future generations of veterinary assistants.
Can you describe some of the different things you’d be doing as a technician at Wilson compared to your current role as an assistant? What are the key distinctions?
At Wilson, the technicians play a much more involved role, working very closely with the doctors. As a technician, I would be assisting with the planning of treatments for patients and actively helping in surgeries. A significant responsibility is also the initial assessment of urgent care patients. When a pet comes in through urgent care, we immediately bring them back to a technician to assess their stability. As a technician, I would be crucial in gauging their condition, deciding if the pet needs more immediate, critical care, like in cases of a blocked cat or a hit-by-car patient, which we see quite frequently. It’s about a more thorough assessment, making critical decisions, and providing a higher level of medical care and intervention than I do as an assistant. There’s definitely a lot of room to grow within this field, which is something I truly appreciate.
Thinking about your journey so far, what achievements are you most proud of, both academically and personally?
I think, above all else, I’m most proud that I took that initial leap, that I went back to school when I felt a bit lost. Then, the immense pride I feel in graduating from Ross Education and, most importantly, now working in a field that I absolutely love. The feeling of genuinely enjoying going to work every single day, seeing what new challenges or heartwarming moments will unfold, is something truly special.
I’m incredibly proud that I took the initiative to seize this opportunity to pursue what I love. I know so many people who get stuck in jobs they don’t enjoy, who dread going to work every day. I feel incredibly lucky and grateful that I get to experience the opposite. It wasn’t always easy to take that first step, but once I did, it opened up a world of possibilities. It’s incredibly rewarding to have a vision for your future and then actively work towards making it a reality.
What advice would you offer to prospective students who are considering a similar path in veterinary care, or who are just about to start their schooling at Ross?
My biggest piece of advice, truly, is to just go for it! Don’t hesitate. Whether it’s applying to a school like Ross, or going for a job interview, it’s often a leap of faith. You just have to be brave enough to take that first step. It might feel uncomfortable or even scary at first, because nobody is immediately comfortable with new things. But I promise you, once you take that initial plunge, it gets so much easier. You build confidence, things start to click, and you’ll find your footing down the road. Believe in yourself and take the initiative!
Share a random fun fact about yourself.
Hmm, a random fun fact…I’m vegetarian!
Xavier’s journey from uncertainty to a fulfilling career in animal care shows how it is possible to mix passion and find an opportunity that fits your needs best. At Ross, he not only became a skilled veterinary assistant, but also discovered a love for teaching. Now thriving at Wilson Veterinary Hospital, Xavier embodies the practical application of his education and compassionate approach. His drive to become a veterinary technician and eventually return to Ross as an instructor highlights his dedication to the field and nurturing future professionals. His advice to “just go for it” inspires anyone at a crossroads, proving that taking that first step can lead to a career you truly love.