100 Percent Success: The First Graduating Class of AHC Veterinary Assisting
100 Percent Success: The First Graduating Class of AHC Veterinary Assisting
Five years ago, a bold idea began to take shape inside the halls of the Academy of Health Careers at Crystal River High School: the creation of a Certified Veterinary Assisting pathway that would expand opportunities for students in meaningful, career-ready ways. What began as ongoing conversations between dedicated educators steadily evolved into a fully realized certification program that is now opening doors and changing lives.
For nearly eight years before the program formally launched, secondary science teacher and adjunct college veterinary instructor Annaliese Leazott consistently shared her vision. She believed that integrating a veterinary pathway into the Academy of Health Careers would not only broaden opportunities for students but also strengthen their overall medical foundation.
Her reasoning was both practical and powerful. Integrating a veterinary program into a health careers academy does more than prepare students to work with animals. It builds a versatile medical skill set that can translate directly into human healthcare. Students who learn animal science develop self-discipline, attention to detail, and empathy. Caring for a living being that depends entirely on its provider instills responsibility in a way textbooks alone never could.
In many ways, the pathway to caring for four-legged patients becomes preparation for serving two-legged ones.
When Mrs. Leazott was hired at the Academy of Health Careers, the vision moved from concept to action. With support from then agricultural instructor Aimee Owens, she led the establishment of the Veterinary Assisting Pathway within AHC, transforming years of conversation into a structured, career-ready program.
Mrs. Leazott brings an uncommon blend of experience to the classroom. In addition to teaching science, she is a certified veterinary technician, the animal health equivalent of a registered nurse. That clinical background ensures students are not simply learning theory. They are mastering industry-standard skills and procedures. The Certified Veterinary Assistant credential they pursue mirrors the role of a Certified Nursing Assistant in human healthcare. It is hands-on, skill-driven, and rooted in direct patient care.
This school year marks a major milestone. For the first time, seniors in the AHC Veterinary Assisting Pathway were eligible to sit for their Certified Veterinary Assisting exam. Fourteen students completed the program requirements and tested this year. Every single student passed.
A 100 percent pass rate in the first exam year is more than an accomplishment. It reflects rigorous instruction, student dedication, and the value of authentic clinical experience. In addition to passing their exam, many students have already completed the required 500 hours of practical training, half of which take place in real veterinary clinics throughout the community.
Those clinical hours are not simulated exercises. Students assist with exams, observe surgeries, administer medications under supervision, and practice proper sanitation and safety protocols. They learn how to communicate with pet owners and collaborate with veterinary teams.
One of the most impactful partnerships in this process has been with the Citrus County Animal Center, operated by the Citrus County Board of County Commissioners. The collaboration between the School Board and the Animal Center has opened doors that few high school programs can access.
Mrs. Leazott explained the importance of that relationship.
“The animal shelter has allowed us to place the highest number of students at their facility. Their fast-paced, high-volume environment ensures that students make the most of their clinical hours while gaining valuable hands-on experience and successfully completing their required skills.”
In a busy shelter environment, students encounter a wide variety of cases beyond routine wellness visits. The pace requires them to think critically, adapt quickly, and apply classroom knowledge under real-world pressure.
She also emphasized the mentorship students receive there.
“Dr. Mielo is a great communicator and a natural teacher. The shelter is so important to the health and well-being of animals in our county. The broad scope of care and services they provide results in students getting unique opportunities to care for animals that would not often be seen at the average clinic.”
That diversity of experience matters. Students face complex medical situations, behavioral challenges, and urgent care scenarios that deepen their understanding of animal health and treatment protocols.
Mrs. Leazott’s commitment to the shelter extends beyond the school day. As a foster for the Animal Center, she works closely with staff to create even more learning opportunities for students.
“I am a foster for the shelter, and Leah Sweet, the foster coordinator, along with Dr. Mielo and staff, collaborate with me so the vet assisting students are able to help me care for foster kittens, including bottle feeding, deworming, and administering medications. My son and I have completed the training and are official shelter volunteers.”
These experiences are formative. Bottle feeding a fragile kitten or carefully administering medication builds more than technical skill. It cultivates patience, attentiveness, and compassion. Students learn that healthcare is not simply about procedures. It is about stewardship.
What makes the Veterinary Assisting Pathway especially powerful is that it keeps doors open. Some graduates may pursue veterinary technology programs or pre-veterinary studies in college. Others may transition into nursing, athletic training, medical assisting, or other healthcare professions.
As Mrs. Leazott has long emphasized, the purpose of the pathway is broader than a single career track. The program grounds students in essential competencies that apply across the entire medical spectrum.
Ultimately, these diverse tracks empower students to make informed decisions about their professional futures. By grounding their education in timeless skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and sound decision-making, the program prepares them for success whether they choose to work with animals or humans.
Five years ago, this was a dream nurtured through persistence and belief. Today, it is a thriving program producing certified graduates with hundreds of clinical hours and a 100 percent exam pass rate. It stands as a testament to what can happen when vision is paired with collaboration, community partnership, and an unwavering commitment to students.
The Veterinary Assisting Pathway at the Academy of Health Careers is not simply about animal care. It is about preparing the next generation of caregivers, professionals, and compassionate leaders.
And this is only the beginning.
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