EPISD Students Gain Real-World Veterinary Experience

High school students in El Paso get hands-on training at the district's Center for Career and Technology Education.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 4:36pm

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An abstracted, blurred photograph showing the silhouettes of high school students surrounded by the soft, warm glow of various small animals in a classroom setting, conveying the experiential nature of the Veterinary Assistance Program.The EPISD's innovative Veterinary Assistance Program gives students hands-on experience working with live animals and developing skills for future careers in the field.El Paso Today

The El Paso Independent School District's Center for Career and Technology Education offers a Veterinary Assistance Program that gives high school students real-world experience working with live animals and alongside veterinary professionals. The program, which has grown exponentially in recent years, allows students to learn fundamental skills like animal handling, anatomy, and even administering injections.

Why it matters

The CCTE's Veterinary Assistance Program provides students a unique opportunity to gain practical, career-oriented skills in the field of veterinary medicine. By getting hands-on experience early on, these students are able to get a head start on their future careers and develop a clear vision for their academic and professional paths.

The details

Students in the Veterinary Assistance Program at CCTE spend three hours each day at the center, where they work with live animals and learn fundamental skills like animal terminology, anatomy, and proper handling techniques. They also have the chance to work alongside professionals at veterinary clinics across the city. The program has grown significantly in recent years, expanding from just 3 students in the initial graduating class to close to 80 juniors and seniors today.

  • The Veterinary Assistance Program is open to high school students starting in their sophomore year.
  • Students participate in the program during their junior and senior years.
  • The CCTE's upcoming Palooza Open House is scheduled for May 30, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The players

Hevila Ramos-Rickner

An instructor in the Veterinary Assistance Program at CCTE.

James West

An agriculture and veterinary instructor at CCTE who was part of the program's first graduating class.

Raven Padilla

A senior at Austin High School who is enrolled in the Veterinary Assistance Program.

El Paso Independent School District

The school district that operates the Center for Career and Technology Education and its Veterinary Assistance Program.

Center for Career and Technology Education (CCTE)

The EPISD facility that houses the Veterinary Assistance Program and other career-focused educational programs.

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What they’re saying

“I think these types of programs do give our students a leg up. They are able to leave our program with not just veterinary skills, but professional skills that they can use in whichever industry they go toward.”

— Hevila Ramos-Rickner, Instructor, Veterinary Assistance Program

“It's been great to see that there's still students that have that passion, the same way that I did so many years ago. And I really use that to help me, you know, kind of guide our learning, because if I enjoy it, they'll probably enjoy it.”

— James West, Agriculture and Veterinary Instructor, CCTE

“I learned how to clean different kind of surgical instruments. I've learned how to restrain different kinds of animals, ranging from, like, guinea pigs or snakes to large dogs and cats. And I've also learned how to give injections, different kinds of injections, like, yeah, it's a very, very good experience for me. And yeah, those are probably my main skills. I'm very confident.”

— Raven Padilla, Senior, Austin High School

What’s next

The Center for Career and Technology Education's upcoming Palooza Open House on May 30, 2026 will provide an opportunity for the public to learn more about the Veterinary Assistance Program and other educational offerings.

The takeaway

The EPISD's Veterinary Assistance Program at the Center for Career and Technology Education is giving high school students a unique chance to gain hands-on experience and develop practical skills in the field of veterinary medicine, helping to prepare them for future careers in this in-demand industry.