Online school allows Brush student to pursue dream
Apr 7, 2025
Addy getting hands-on experience at groomer, vet clinic in preparation for veterinary career.
Addyson, an 11th-grade student from Brush who prefers to go by just her first name, shows how finding the right educational path can lead to amazing opportunities.
Addy felt she wasn’t challenged enough in her previous school and wanted a more personalized and challenging education. Destinations Career Academy of Colorado, a free online public school, has been the perfect fit, allowing her to pursue her dream of becoming a veterinarian while learning in a way that works best for her.
Addy’s hands-on experience is a big part of her learning. She spends time on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Muttly Manor, a doggy daycare and grooming salon in Brush, where she learns everything from feeding and bathing the animals to scheduling appointments and cleaning kennels.
Every Friday, she works at a veterinary clinic, shadowing Dr. Karen and expanding her understanding of animal care.
“I get to do everything,” Addy said, “from learning how to work the hydraulic shoots for cattle to doing restraints for blood draws, running fecal analyses, and blood work.”
Addy said her journey started with 4-H, and she loved the idea of raising animals and learning about farming.
“But there’s so much more to 4-H than just raising cows and pigs,” she said. “I’m making my dog a sweater right now. I have also done four different shooting sports activities, hunter’s safety, dog, horse, dairy, crochet, scrapbooking and open-class projects.”
Her love for horses has led her to work with a program that uses horses to help people with special needs.