'We get to be their voice': Blinn veterinary technology student prepares for career advocating for animals

June Keller is pursuing her passion for animal healthcare at Blinn College 

June 24, 2026

Growing up on a working farm in Franklin, Texas, June Keller always felt a natural connection with animals.

“We had chickens, horses, goats, cows, and everything,” Keller said. “I’ve always been interested in animals. In high school, I went through the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s Veterinary Science Certificate Program, which really pushed me to learn more about animals and understand the importance of caring for them.”

Today, Keller is turning that lifelong passion into a career through the Blinn College District Veterinary Technology Program, a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree that prepares students to become fully credentialed licensed veterinary technicians.

The program is one of just 15 accredited veterinary technology programs in Texas and offers students hands-on training, expert faculty, and clinical experiences that prepare them for a wide range of animal healthcare careers.

For Keller, the decision to enroll at Blinn began while she was working as a veterinary assistant at a local clinic. There, she met two Blinn veterinary technology students who introduced her to the career opportunities available to licensed veterinary technicians (LVTs).

“One of the students highly recommended Blinn’s program and I’ve been able to elaborate on and perfect the skills I already have,” Keller said. “Having the LVT credential behind your name is important. It tells employers you’ve done the schooling and have the training to take on more responsibilities.”

Blinn’s program combines classroom instruction with extensive hands-on learning opportunities. Students build skills in areas such as animal nursing, laboratory procedures, radiology, pharmacology, anesthesia, surgical assisting, and clinical care. Graduates obtain their licensure after passing the National Veterinary Technician Examination and the Licensed Veterinary Technician Exam.

For Keller, it’s not just Blinn’s curriculum, but the faculty who make the program stand out.

“All of the professors really want to see us perform well in the program, pass our licensure exams, and be successful,” Keller said. “The faculty is amazing. They give you tips and tricks that aren’t in the slides or book and push you to challenge yourself and be the best you can be.”

In addition to expert faculty, Blinn offers a unique clinical training advantage. Blinn is the only community college in Texas with an agreement that allows students to complete laboratories and clinicals at Texas A&M University’s Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. That partnership gives students hands-on experience in one of the nation’s premier veterinary teaching environments and introduces them to the many specialties and career paths available in the field.

Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared for careers in veterinary clinics, animal shelters, educational institutions, government agencies, laboratory facilities, research settings, and zoological facilities. Due to Blinn’s reputation for excellence and the statewide demand for licensed veterinary technicians, many students secure employment prior to graduation, often with multiple opportunities available to them.

“Right now, I think I would like to work at an emergency or large animal hospital, but I’ve even thought about going to a ranch and working with animals like zebras, giraffes, and exotic deer,” Keller said. “I just like advocating for animals. We get to be their voices when they can’t tell us what’s wrong.”

Keller said Blinn has provided the right environment to help her prepare for the next step in her career.

“Blinn’s program has been the perfect environment to prepare me for what’s next,” she said. “I’ve already recommended this program to multiple people. It’s hard, but it’s worth it.”

For more information about Blinn’s Veterinary Technology Program, visit www.blinn.edu/veterinary-technology.