A New Leash on Life: How Carroll Student Found His Calling as a Veterinary Assistant

Mike LaFaver had never imagined working in a veterinary clinic, let alone teaching future veterinary assistants. His career spanned everything from box office sales to corporate HR. But when life led him to the animal care field in his 50s, he found a new purpose he never saw coming.

From Box Office to New Beginning

During and after college, Mike chased his passion for entertainment through selling tickets, from Boscov’s department store to the Baltimore Opera Company. But when that industry shifted and opportunities faded, he transitioned into human resources, and what was supposed to be a short-term summer job with a pool management company turned into a 25-year career.

When his wife decided she wanted to purchase the vet clinic where she had worked since 1998, Mike felt it was time for him to try something new. That’s when he began helping out at her veterinary practice, Clearview Animal Hospital, in Hanover, PA.

Initially, Mike just handled the business side of the clinic: payroll, HR, taxes. But soon he found himself drawn deeper into the world of veterinary care. “My wife’s vet clinic wanted to expand and get another veterinarian, which meant we needed more vet assistants,” he explains.

When he called Carroll Community College about connecting with students from their Veterinary Assistant program, he didn’t expect the question that followed: Why not take the program yourself? That way, he could step in when assistants called out sick or wanted to go on vacation.

“That one phone call changed my professional life,” he says. “Instead of simply inquiring about welcoming interns at our practice, I became a student in their Veterinary Assistant program. Here I was, 50 years old, and going back to college!”

Pivoting to Pet Care

Mike said taking the veterinary assistant class was one of the best decisions he ever made.

“My instructor was knowledgeable, experienced, and genuinely passionate about animal care and veterinary medicine. The supportive and hands-on learning environment made the lessons engaging and practical.” He also gained valuable skills in animal handling, medical terminology, and clinical procedures in class and at his internship.

More than anything, the program changed how he saw his wife’s profession—and the animals themselves. “I care about my animals more than I ever have before,” Mike admits. “Now I’m the one expressing the glands. Now I’m the one trimming the nails. I have a growing appreciation for what the people who work here do and how they feel.”

The experience also helped him bridge the gap between his business expertise and veterinary practice operations. “What did I know about what it takes to be on a veterinary team?” he reflects. “This program truly prepared me for a career in the veterinary field, and I’m so grateful for the foundation it gave me.”

Giving Back as an Instructor

My instructor was knowledgeable, experienced, and genuinely passionate about animal care and veterinary medicine. The supportive and hands-on learning environment made the lessons engaging and practical.

After completing the program, Mike’s journey came full circle when Carroll asked him to be an instructor. “I was flattered that they thought of me to do that with my background.”

Mike now facilitates the Veterinary Assistant Prep Course, a two-lecture deep dive into the “soft skills” used in any employment setting, and how these translate specifically to a veterinary team.

“Soft skills are crucial to any employment, not just veterinary medicine roles,” Mike explained. “They often make the difference between being just a good helper and being an invaluable asset to any team, including our veterinary teams.”  Soft skills include communication, teamwork, empathy, compassion, adaptability, professionalism, work ethic, initiative, attention to detail, emotional resilience, and a commitment to delivering excellent client service.

Mike also mentors students through their externships, helping them navigate the real-world clinic experience. “The Veterinary Assistant program jump starts you,” he says. “These clinics have no time to train people anymore. So having vet assistants with 50 hours of clinical and four months of lecture hours, they have the tools in hand to be an easy hire.”

A Rewarding New Life

Today, Mike works nights at Clearview Animal Hospital while balancing family, teaching, and life in Hanover. “I get to spend more time with my family now,” he said. “That is awesome.” He also takes pride in seeing how Carroll’s Veterinary Assistant program continues to open doors for others.

“We’ve had 100% positive experiences with all of our clinical externships, and most of our students have been asked by their clinical sites to stay on as employees,” Mike notes. “The program itself is producing jobs for people, and I think that’s the ultimate goal of any of those programs.”

Mike doesn’t hesitate to recommend Carroll’s Veterinary Assistant program to anyone considering the field. “I highly recommend this program to anyone who loves animals and wants to make a real difference in their health,” he says. “This program will get them that important foot in the door, where you can vet the clinic and the clinic can vet you.”

From selling concert tickets to coaching future vet assistants, Mike’s career path may not be traditional, but it’s one built on curiosity, adaptability, and heart. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be a vet anything,” he says. Today, he’s helping others discover that it’s never too late to learn something new, start over, or find where you truly belong.