Brittany Cody, 26, a recent graduate of Carrington鈥檚 Veterinary Technology program, has had enough life experience for someone three times her age.听 This is what she said about her childhood: 鈥淚 was being put in the situation to make me become who I鈥檓 becoming. I felt that everything was for a reason. I can鈥檛 dictate what鈥檚 going to be thrown my way; I can only dictate how I鈥檓 going to react.鈥� And she should know: when Brittany was 8 years old her mother died of a heart condition. She then moved in with her father, who entered her life again after becoming remarried. But then her stepmother died when she was in middle school. A few years later at 16, her father died of pancreatic cancer. Brittany had to grow up much faster than most children; and as a result, is wise beyond her years.听 Here is the remarkable story of this young graduate, who understood everything is a learning experience and has found her career in the love of animals and in her fascination with how the body works. 听
Wow. You鈥檝e already lived through so much. And you鈥檙e wiser than a lot of your peers, I imagine. First off, what would you say to your peers about how you managed to get to this point of accomplishment to start a career as a Veterinary Technician?听
I鈥檇 say don鈥檛 let your life circumstances tell you who you are and what you think you can become.听 听
How did you get interested in the Veterinary Technology program?听
I鈥檝e always had a huge love for animals.听 I grew up with pigs, goats, chickens, and always a dog and a cat. I got a degree in Kinesiology, the study of the human body. I love the human body, but I didn鈥檛 really want to work with people hands-on so much. I knew I had this love for animals, so I thought why not take my knowledge of the body and apply it to animals and do something I love to do. 听 听
Was there anything when you were growing up that helped you figure out how to get through school so successfully? 听
Sports played a part. My biggest mentor was my middle school volleyball coach Penny Bartholomew. She was a support system for me. I also looked up to my teachers. Right before my father died he set up a guardianship with my softball coach, who was married with two daughters. I used softball to build my work ethic, my attitude toward life to keep working hard, and I learned you have to practice to get to where you want to be. I became a 鈥渦tility player鈥� on the team, the one who could play any position on the field.听 I always watched what other people were learning to be able to play their position. Coach wanted us to learn every aspect of the game. I realized I succeeded by doing. 听 听
And now you鈥檙e working already?听
I have a really good work ethic, so when I went to my externship at Stanford Veterinary Clinic in Modesto – it鈥檚 a 24/7 ER 鈥� I got a job offer on the very first day!听 The manager watched me and said she wanted me to work there. I can hold my weight 鈥� a while back I worked at a Texas Roadhouse; it鈥檚 a really fast-paced restaurant. I was the only girl busser! Within a year of working at Stanford ER I was offered a lead position, moving up from my triage position. Now, I direct everybody; it鈥檚 kind of like being a manager on the floor but not the head manager.听听 听
What do you look forward to now?听
I鈥檓 looking forward to getting registered so I can do procedures independently. I still have to pass the state exam to get a license, sometime between November and December.听 听
Why did you choose Carrington? 
The biggest thing that drew me to Carrington was that the classes were already picked and there was hands-on training in a lab from [instructors] who have actually done it. You learn from your own experience rather than a book because not only are you in a lab, but you鈥檙e getting taught by teachers who actually have worked and can share their experience.听 I could have tried to get into other programs but Carrington would be faster and less trouble. 听 听
How would you describe the Carrington culture in one word? 听
Support. You always have someone there to help you or to answer any questions. 听 听
And is there a particular instructor you would like to acknowledge as someone who encouraged you?听
Amy Abel was that person for me. 听 听
What advice do you have for someone thinking about going to school to become a Vet Tech?听
Put the time in and don鈥檛 be afraid to make mistakes. Be eager to learn. 听 听 听 听 听 听 听听 听
