Road to Graduation | Jesse Alexis Blum Vallecillo

For Jesse Alexis Blum Vallecillo, veterinary medicine was never about following one path—it was about discovering many. With a deep love for animals and the state of Arizona, Jesse has shaped a career rooted in variety, curiosity, and connection.

After graduation, Jesse will begin practicing at Blue Ridge Pet Clinic in Pinetop, Arizona, bringing essential care to a rural community in need.

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Career Plans After Graduation:

"I'm planning on doing rural mixed animal medicine. I'll be starting out with dogs and cats and gradually adding in additional species as I feel comfortable, under the tutelage of my mentors."

That spirit of flexibility and continued growth was nurtured through a rich tapestry of educational experiences—from research in antimicrobial resistance and club leadership to wildlife sanctuary volunteering and conversations with faculty across a wide range of specialties.

How did your educational experiences influence your career path?

"I was blessed to have a large variety of educational experiences that helped shape my view of the practicing veterinarian, both pre- and during vet school. From volunteering at wildlife sanctuaries, participating in research, and studying antimicrobial resistance to helping head two on-campus clubs (SAIM, Behavior), engaging in conversations with multiple instructors who focus on different species, and curating a diverse year of clinical experiences during rotations, I feel I've had a very enriching and well-rounded education thus far. I have been able to explore multiple avenues of career choices and specialties, and I think that having the opportunity to engage with many clients and see a multitude of case types in a true rural setting will be advantageous for both my life-long clinical learning and personal curiosity."

Jesse’s clinical year was just as dynamic. Every rotation, from ambulatory mixed practice to equine surgery and shelter medicine, reinforced the decision not to specialize—at least not right away.

How did your clinical year shape your goals?

"I really felt the call to not specialize over the course of my clinical year. My rotations were all in-state within Arizona, and I was still able to experience such varied practices such as ambulatory mixed practice, dairy, equine surgery/internal medicine, shelter, small animal ER and specialty, and suburban GP. I think the beauty in curating such a varied clinical year is that it allowed me to network, gain valuable knowledge (both for boards and real life!), and to interact with people from all over this beautiful state."

That love for Arizona is central to Jesse’s story. Born and raised in Prescott, Jesse has a deep appreciation for Arizona’s natural beauty and the communities that call it home.

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Why did you choose to stay in Arizona?

"I love Arizona. I'm from Prescott, and grew up enjoying the forests and ample hiking of northern Arizona. School took me gradually more south, from Phoenix during undergrad to Tucson for vet school, and I've traveled all over the rest of the state, but I never wanted to leave. For one thing, our state needs more veterinarians, and this is especially true in rural areas. Secondly, the natural beauty of everywhere I've ever been in Arizona is so breathtaking, and I never tire of excursions throughout this state. I'm so excited to stay."

Looking ahead, Jesse is eager to build a life and career that never stops evolving.

What excites you most about your future opportunities?

"Always being able to learn, and thus do, more! In this field, the opportunities truly are endless, and there are so many ways to have a rewarding career. I think there's something liberating in there not being one "true" path, for me, in that I can always find some new skill or fascinating discovery in this field."

And when asked what advice they’d offer to those still on the journey, Jesse didn’t hesitate.

What’s your advice for future students?

"This is your education. You're going to get out of it what you put in, so make the time count. It'll be hard, but it's worth it."

As Jesse steps into rural mixed animal practice, they carry with them a sense of purpose and a strong commitment to community—ready to serve, to learn, and to never stop exploring the possibilities.