On this Thurs-yay of National Veterinary Technician Week, which falls on National Boss’s day, we’re diving into a spotlight on Kristen Jetzke, LVT. Senior Manager of Animal Health and Commissary Operations at Georgia Aquarium, Kristen started with a dream of working with aquatics and is now managing nutrition and medical care from mysids to whale sharks for the largest aquarium in the US.

Kristen started the journey toward her dream with a degree in zoology from Michigan State, specializing in marine biology. Her first step was working her way from an aquarist to a sea lion trainer at Coral World in St. Thomas. In her 5 years there she not only worked with the sea lions, but maintained their exhibit, built decking, ran their filtration, and so much more. Talking about having all the tools in your belt 🔨 returning from St Thomas, Kristen picked up a contract position to cover leave at the Vancouver Aquarium - where she had the opportunity to stay on for a summer working in their marine mammal rescue center. She worked next to Dr. Martin Haulena, the current VAMMR Executive Director, as a rescue attendant saving marine life and even performing surgery on seals. A spark was ignited, and Kristen knew exactly what she wanted to do 🩺

Returning to Michigan she went back to school, graduating with a degree in veterinary technology from Baker College and becoming a licensed veterinary technician. As those interested in the field know, it can be challenging to find a position at a zoo or aquarium. So in the meantime Kristen started at a small animal high volume spay/neuter clinic in Michigan, returned to St. Thomas as the lead veterinary technician for the Humane Society, then working her way up to clinic director at a high volume spay/neuter in clinic in Kaufman Texas.

Over 200 miles from the closest ocean, with the wind in her sail and her eyes on aquatics, Kristen applied for a veterinary technician position at the Georgia Aquarium. Meeting Dr Tonya Clauss, current Vice President of Animal Health & Wellness at the aquarium, Kristen was asked to also apply for the open Animal Health Coordinator position - and the rest, as they say, is history. Kristen has been managing the animal health department for 8 years, picking up management of the commissary and nutrition team along the way.

We asked what advice Kristen would have for new vet techs, “Be kind to yourself, give yourself time to process, and always make sure you’re doing it for the right reason.”

I asked Kristen how she gets through the hard days, and she said “knowing that I’m making a difference, even if only in that one animal’s life”.

Thank you for all that you do Kristen. This world is a better place because you’re in it ❤️