Hometown Hero:
Jenneth Begay

Ya’at’eeh my name is Jenneth Begay, I reside in Window Rock, AZ which is located on the Navajo Reservation. I am a veterinary technician for Rez Solutions and Animal Shelter/Animal Care Center for Dr. Kelly Upshaw. I have worked under Dr. Kelly Upshaw for 6 years (2019-present), we provide small and large animal services, such as, wellness, spay and neuter, vaccinations and wound treatment. I am greatly appreciative of what I am capable of doing for the animals on the Navajo reservation, because veterinary care is difficult to find. I enjoy interacting with clients and educating them on responsible pet ownership to make sure their animals can live a happy, healthy life.

 

I received my education from Navajo Technical University in Crownpoint, NM and earned an Associates of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology in 2018. I completed internships with USDA Animal Services and Import/Export Services, working during the Avian Influenza in Iowa/Minnesota and the Tick Eradication Program along the Texas/Mexico border. I completed an externship with “Little Critters Veterinary Hospital” in Gilbert, AZ and worked with dogs, cats, avian, exotic, reptile and pocket pets. During that time, I feel I gained a great amount of experience and knowledge, which I currently continue to use.

 

As a little rez girl growing up, I always knew I wanted to assist animals with care and compassion. I grew up around dogs, cattle and horses and would join my parents when it came to taking the animals to the veterinary hospital. Watching the Veterinarians exam, diagnosis and treat our animals amazed me! Being raised around my maternal grandparents, they would always tell us to respect, care and love animals because they protect us and our surroundings. We were always told, “be sure to feed your animals first before you eat” which is a teaching I still hold close to my heart. My maternal grandparents had unexplainable bond with animals, they would always sense if anything was wrong with them or communicated with the animals in their way.

 

While working with Rez Solutions, we have completed a great amount of spay and neuter on the Navajo Reservation and Arizona/New Mexico communities. Rez Solutions assist with other non-profits, such as, Rezdawg Rescue, Best Friends, Blackhat Humane, Good Dog Rez-Q, Rocky Mountain Puppy Rescue and Rez Roads Rescue.

 

I was recently awarded a scholarship with Best Friends to earn a bachelor’s degree in General Studies in 2024, with that I plan on continuing my education to attend veterinary school in the future.

 

People say, “veterinary medicine is not for the weak!” I do believe that phrase because I have experienced being on feet 12-14 hours a day or leaving till the last patient goes home. When clients come to us and express their animal concerns, we do our best to offer great veterinary care with limited resources. Being a voice for these animals means a lot to me because animals can’t speak to you, so observing their behavior helps us diagnosis and go forth with treatment.

Knowing I was a part of an animal’s treatment, recovery or overall wellness, seeing their owners with smiles or a sign or relief that their animal was taking care of brings a sense of happiness to myself.