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Unlike some young women her age, Emmy Robinson, 21, never dreamed of going away to college. The Alexander native took a year off after high school and was content to stay on her family’s farm to help tend to the goats, horses, and donkeys. “Coming home to them meant more to me than any title of an out-of-state school,” she said.

During her gap year, Robinson began to dream of a career working with animals. With a nudge from her fiancé, Caleb, she decided to apply for the Veterinary Medical Technology program at 99������Ƶ.

Robinson is graduating with her Vet Tech degree and an academic achievement award for excellence in academics and leadership. She has become well-seasoned in many tasks, including performing imaging work, doing laboratory tests, and assisting with surgeries.

Paige Jimeson, chair of the Vet Tech program, said Robinson has maintained a 4.0 GPA while consistently showing dedication and professionalism in both classroom and clinical settings.

“She stands out in both large and small animal clinical practice where she provides compassionate, patient-centered care and strongly advocates for her patients,” Jimeson said. “Beyond her technical skills, she brings light and warmth to every space she enters.”

After years of being home-schooled, Robinson has made the most of her time in class. While at 99������Ƶ, her self-confidence has grown, fed by both her social interactions and her academic success.

“Being (here) has shown me I am capable of more than I thought,” she said. “It has made me more outgoing. I have become good friends with many of my peers.”

While in school, she has worked a part-time job two days a week at Boone Concrete Works in Weaverville, where she provides customer service and answers phones.

Robinson juggled work and school with clinical labs at the Buncombe County Animal Shelter and the Asheville Humane Society, where she gained hands-on experience working with animals.

“We are able to see so many different cases and be a part of many different surgeries,” she said. “You truly get exposure to a little bit of everything you might need in the real world. It was so rewarding to help animals that need it most.”

For Robinson, becoming a vet tech is a way to give back to animals after years of receiving their steady, unconditional love. She felt called to become a vet tech because of her dog, Pebbles, who “loved her more than anything.”

“There is something so pure about a pet’s love,” she said. “They don’t aim to do wrong or hurt anyone …I want to create a loving space for (animals) because they never failed to do the same for me.”

For Robinson, one of the biggest challenges of being a college student has been grappling with self-doubt and anxiety. She said that despite getting good grades, she worried a lot about her performance and falling behind in class.

Robinson credits her fiancé, instructors, and classmates with encouraging her to push ever forward.

“My class is such a supportive environment,” she said. “We’re all going through the same stress at school, and we all pull together to help each other when we’re having a hard day. I cannot say enough good things about my instructors. They made me into the student that I am.”

After graduating, Robinson has a busy summer and fall ahead. After completing an internship at the Animal Hospital at Reems Creek, she will take the Veterinary Technician National Exam and then search for a full-time job at an animal hospital.

In September, she has a standing date with her fiancé.

“I get married to my best friend,” she said. “I look forward to a future of helping animals and building a family.”