Sometimes life doesn’t go the way you planned. Your first reaction might be to change the goal.
Or you might just need to adjust the path towards that goal.
That is something Jacelen David did. Her love for animals started at a young age. If you looked for Jacelen, she was most likely caring for a hamster, guinea pig, bunny, fish, cat, or her greatest love, a dog. It felt only natural that the answer to “what do you want to do when you grow up?” was to help animals.
Fascinated by animals and their behaviours, Jacelen started a Veterinary Technician program. “Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we had to study from home, which didn’t work well for me, and I ended up failing. At the time, I felt discouraged and shifted to personal training for a while. But when I discovered a Veterinary Assistant Program [at the Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare], I knew I wanted to try again and follow the path I truly cared about,” Jacelen explained.
Not only did the program speak to her passion and interest, she said she also followed the College on Instagram and saw how, “students before me enjoyed the program, which inspired me to apply.”
She did, and Jacelen found herself going back to school shopping and in a classroom again in September 2024.
The one-year Veterinary Assistant (VA) Program packs in a lot of information, but it leaves enough time for students to gain hands-on experience either by in-class interactions with animals, rotations at different animal facilities, or internships.
“The most memorable moments for me were the rotations. I really enjoyed Playful Paws because all the dogs got the chance to be out with others, and it was so rewarding to watch. Tartan Tails Veterinary Hospital was another highlight, being able to see surgeries up close and even helping prep animals [for surgery] beforehand was amazing,” Jacelen said.
If you read the Veterinary Assistant Program information on the website, one thing that comes up regularly is animal behaviour, and that was a topic that Jacelen mentioned multiple times. “Animals can tell you so much through the smallest movements, and learning to recognize those signals gave me a deeper appreciation for their boundaries and how important it is to respect them,” she explained.
While Jacelen went back to school to follow her passion, the financial decision wasn’t an easy one. However, when she found out about the Benjamin James McIsaac Memorial Bursary, she was inspired by it and sent in an application.
The bursary was established in memory of former Nova Scotia SPCA board member and donor, Benjamin McIsaac. Every year, two students are selected to receive a bursary of $1,000 to support their education at the Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare. The bursary, set up by the Nova Scotia SPCA and Ben’s family, is a tribute to him and his dedication to the charitable sector and love of animals.
Jacelen was excited when she received the news that she was one of the two recipients. She said, “Winning the bursary really helped me with tuition. My family and I paid out of pocket for the program, with no student loans, so receiving this support felt like a blessing. It made me feel that I was meant to be here [in the VA program] and that everything was aligning for me.”
Now that she has graduated, Jacelen is holding on to the sentiment of being where she is meant to be as she embarks on new journeys.
One journey is going from an intern to a full time ER Veterinary Assistant with Coastal Care Veterinary Emergency & Referral Hospital.
The other is continuing her time with the Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare. She will be working as an Animal Care Career Coordinator for a new Animal Care Career Exploration Program, funded by TELUS.
The program will provide learning opportunities for youth ages 12-16 from equity-seeking communities about different roles within the animal care industry.
For Jacelen, working with youth seemed like the place to be, where she could put previous experiences into practice. “I’m excited to both learn and help youth learn. I love seeing people come out of their shells and discover things about themselves. Representation is so important, too. When you see someone like you in a space, it makes you feel more comfortable trying new things,” she added.
A year later from the start of the program, excited for the future and knowing she chose the right path for her, she gained some experience and had some tips to share for anyone who wants a career in the field, such as doing co-ops and volunteering at animal shelters. “Most importantly, always take care of yourself, mentally, emotionally, and physically.”
We know everyone, from instructors to family and friends, is proud of Jacelen and everything she accomplished.
But above all else, on a humid summer morning, when she received her diploma, Jacelen was even prouder of how far she’s come.
She stated, “During the very first week of school, I lost my soul dog, Carmella, who was 17. That loss put me in a very cloudy headspace, but I’m proud of myself for pushing through the hard days and continuing this journey.”
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Learn more about the Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare by visiting the website.
If you want to read more about the bursary, you can read the full story about Ben’s life and dedication to his community here.