One student’s passion to overcome the challenges of vet school and be the first veterinarian in her family.
Family and, of course, animals mean everything for Heidi Petroski. Whether it was
her three children or her mom and dad, family was what inspired her never to give
up during her pursuit of becoming a veterinarian.
“As I look back, seeing the incredible work ethic my mom and dad possessed influenced me to strive to do the same,” Petroski said. “I have tried my best to glean as much knowledge and to work with a good attitude at every job I have ever been a part of.”
Originally from Clovis, New Mexico, Petroski is one of three New Mexico students chosen to be part of the inaugural class at Texas Tech University's School of Veterinary Medicine. She now heads into her fourth and final year of veterinary school where she'll work with several veterinarians in rural and regional communities across Texas and New Mexico.
“I am honored to be the first college graduate and only soon to be veterinarian in my family,” Petroski said.
It's her story of grit and determination that inspires many as she navigates her passion to serve the veterinary needs of rural and regional communities. Let's get to know Heidi Petroski through a series of questions.
What are you passionate about in veterinary medicine?
Animals are very fascinating to me. They are the ones that give me endless inspiration and comfort me by showing me that the world is still a beautiful place.
It is an absolute dream to have this opportunity to learn how to care for them and to spend my career being able to interact with them. Obviously, there will be difficult days ahead, but my hope is that the good days will make it all worth it.
What are some life experiences that led you to that passion?
Since I was a child, I tried rescuing every kind of critter that came my way. Whether it was birds, rabbits or cats, if it needed help, I had an indescribable desire to do just that.
One memory that comes to mind is when I was 6 or 7 years old, I gathered supplies such as a shoebox and filled it with Kleenexes and cotton balls for injured birds. This simple desire is what sparked my passion for veterinary medicine which made my pursuit to get into veterinary school very evident.
I gained my bachelor's degree in biology with an emphasis in pre-medicine at Eastern New Mexico University in 2015. I did this all while working part time at a small animal clinic and raising three children who were 10, 8 and 4 years old at the time. Looking back, I don't think I could have made it through that time in my life without my favorite Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine core value, grit!
What inspires you to pursue what you love to do every day?
A large part of what inspires me to pursue the things I love are my three children, Lily Grace (23), Asher Graham (21) and Gray Gage (17). They are by far the best things I have ever accomplished in my life and they always will be. I want to show them that achieving your dreams and living the life you imagine really is possible.
I tell them most of the time getting to where you want to be in life requires venturing outside of your comfort zone. I want them to see me doing what I love and know they can succeed in their own lives and that I will be there for them every step of the way no matter what.
How do you plan to go back and help your community?
My plans after graduation are wide open. I have worked with both small and large animals, as well as some exotics. The place where I feel most comfortable is in a small animal setting but I am definitely not limiting myself at this point in time.
I am 46 years old and I am so blessed to have gained incredible wisdom in that time that I would not give up for anything. One of the things I have learned over the years is not to be in a hurry to make decisions and to keep all possibilities open for my future. Two of my three children live in Lubbock at the moment so I definitely would like to end up working at a practice close to them because I have missed them so much.
I would love to be able to give back to whatever community I end up in by partnering with local shelters to offer my time to perform low-cost spays and neuters and vaccinations at some point in time as well. Another dream of mine is to contribute in some way to the One Health initiative. I would love to help unite human and veterinary medicine by aiding less fortunate regions of the world that face the threat of zoonotic disease.
What are you excited most about clinical year?
I am excited to be able to practice my competency in all of the valuable skills I have learned from our wonderful professors and staff here at Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine. I look forward to gaining insight and experience with our practice partners as well.
I am grateful for the chance to get to travel across Texas to clinics such as Brazos Valley Equine Hospital and Beard Navasota Veterinary Hospital. I am also excited to have the option of being close to my home base of Lubbock for many other rotations such as Rocking P Vet Services with Dr. Janey Powe. My biggest hope for the clinical year is that I will be trusted with plenty of hands-on practice since that's the best way to learn!
Why did you choose Texas Tech?
I chose Texas Tech University because the location was ideal for me. For the last
three years, I have been less than two hours away from where my family is located
and for that I am so grateful. Being able to share time with my youngest son while
I have been in Amarillo, has made it so much easier for me. Although I may have been
studying in the bleachers, I have been able to attend most of his school and sporting
events. 
One of the cool things that I cherish and keep is the email that I sent to Guy Loneragan, dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine, back in 2018. After I found out that they were trying to make Texas Tech University's School of Veterinary Medicine a reality in Amarillo, I immediately sent him an email asking him to please consider letting some of us from New Mexico be part of the school. And guess what? They did! I'm so thankful for this opportunity. As corny as it sounds, I still get tears in my eyes when I'm showing off our state-of-the-art building.
I appreciate the School of Veterinary Medicine's holistic approach to choosing candidates for our community here. I am grateful our school believes there are more important factors necessary in the making of an exceptional veterinarian besides book smarts and age. As a quintessential non-traditional student, I am thankful that our school gives students like me the opportunity to become a veterinarian.
What was your reaction when you got the call that you were accepted to Texas Tech
University's School of Veterinary Medicine? 
Oh, boy, was I excited! That was one of the most incredible days of my life. At the time I was working as a milk lab technician at Progressive Dairy Health Services in Clovis when I received the phone call.
John Dascanio, senior associate dean for academic and student affairs, was the one who called to tell me that I had been accepted. I was shocked, I laughed, I cried and I felt so honored to have been chosen out of all of those other amazing applicants.
How are you involved with the school?
I am involved in many different clubs, including veterinary business management association (VBMA), companion animal club and food animal club. I admit I have not made it to every event due to being busy with my son's activities, but I have done my best to be there, and I appreciate everyone who has worked tirelessly to make these clubs what they have become. They are true pioneers, and they rock.
Veterinary school has been one of the most challenging times of my life. However, I will look back on my time here with fond memories thanks to all the incredible people I have met.
What are your favorite things to do outside of school?
Well, I'll be honest I am a homebody for sure. I love spending time with my family and dogs. Despite the Amarillo wind making it difficult some days, I also love being outdoors.
At heart I am a crafter. From crocheting and jewelry making to furniture refinishing, there is nothing quite like creating something wonderful with your own two hands.