Blinn honors 15 Veterinary Technology Program graduates at pinning

Program prepares students for careers in animal-related fields

May 8, 2026

Fifteen graduates of the Blinn College District Veterinary Technology Program were honored Thursday, May 7, at a pinning ceremony at the Blinn College-Brenham Campus Student Center.

Members of the spring 2026 graduating class were:

• Ty Adams – Somerville, Texas
• Sofia Briones – Mesquite, Texas
• Kaitlynn Cook – College Station, Texas
• Hannah Elbert – Katy, Texas
• Alexandria Fuqua – Richmond, Texas
• Shelby Hasting – College Station, Texas
• Shania Jackson – Katy, Texas
• Kayla Menzel – Groesbeck, Texas
• Guadalupe Misti Perez-Martinez – Caldwell, Texas
• Sarah Pyka – Pattison, Texas
• April Salinas – College Station, Texas
• Alyssa Sluder – Friendswood, Texas
• Kirsten Vajdos – Louise, Texas
• Sarajean Walker – Brenham, Texas
• Clara Zappe – Victoria, Texas

Blinn’s Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology is one of only 15 accredited programs in Texas. It prepares students to become fully credentialed licensed veterinary technicians.

“The program was an amazing experience,” said Zappe, who already has experience working in a veterinary clinic. “I really learned a lot, especially having been in a vet clinic before. Everything in this program just heightened my knowledge – the hands-on, but also the how and why things are done. It really gave me a sense of what the gold standard should be and how I can practice in the future.

“I’ve always loved animals. I want to be someone who advocates for the voiceless. I have such a passion for animals and how we can care for them responsibly.”

Zappe, who hopes to join a small animal general practice, initially doing veterinary technician work, said the program instructors “are amazing.”

Program instructors are veterinarian Dr. Jim Hurrell and veterinary technicians Valerie Daugherty, Autumn Teach, and Mandy Zachgo.

With small classes and dedicated faculty, Blinn veterinary technology students benefit from the College’s partnership with the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Science & Biomedical Sciences. That relationship gives students hands-on training in every aspect of the wide-ranging field. Blinn is the only community college that has an agreement to complete laboratories and clinicals at Texas A&M’s Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.

The program prepares Blinn graduates in animal-related fields that include veterinary clinics, animal shelters, educational institutions, government agencies, laboratories, and research facilities.

Blinn offers two pathways toward an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Veterinary Technology – a traditional two-year program in which courses and labs are completed on the Bryan Campus and its hybrid, three-year program in which courses are completed online and labs are completed on campus.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, veterinary technicians had a median salary of $45,980 in 2024 and employment is growing faster than average.

An informational session on Blinn’s Veterinary Technician Program will be held July 24 at 2 p.m. at the Bryan Campus Administration Building Banquet Room.

For more information regarding the program, visit www.blinn.edu/veterinary-technology.