Meet Gabby Jamain, Head Technician at Hawai‘i Kai Veterinary Clinic (HKVC)
Introduce yourself with your degree information and tell us what you do now.
My name is Gabby Jamain and I graduated from UH manoa in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences. I returned to the UH school system in 2021 by enrolling in Windward Community College’s Veterinary Technician Program to become a Registered Veterinary Technician. I chose to enroll in the hybrid track, a part-time curriculum designed for those working in a clinic simultaneously, and graduated from the program in 2024. I’ve worked as a veterinary technician at Hawaii Kai Veterinary Clinic since 2020 and was recently appointed as head tech of the clinic. I’ve had the opportunity to care for a variety of animal species, coordinate and assist with surgeries for our boarded surgeon, and manage internships/externships for others individuals pursuing the veterinary profession.
What was your initial impression of working at Hawaii Kai Veterinary Clinic, and how did it shape your decision to stay in the field?
I was introduced to HKVC through an internship course I took during my final semester at UH Manoa. Honestly, I was not sure if I wanted to continue pursuing Vet Med due to poor experiences I had at previous internships as well as setbacks I encountered during my undergrad journey. I had low hopes, but decided to make this internship my last attempt at this field. My opinion began to change once I started working and was flooded with support from the doctors and techs at the clinic. Everyone was incredibly welcoming and committed to teaching me about what they do, why they do it, and how to do it. They showed me that success is not defined by your academics or hardships, but your willingness to persist in those trying moments and come out of it stronger. Their faith in me when I was feeling such uncertainty about my future motivated me to grow and reignited my desire to work in a veterinary setting. Now I can’t see myself doing anything else!
Tell us about a favorite patient or experience at Hawaii Kai Veterinary Clinic.
The most memorable experience I had while working at HKVC was getting the opportunity to help Maui Humane Society and the animals affected in the Lahaina fires of 2023. Dr. Ann Sakamoto, an associate veterinarian at HKVC, and I flew to Maui for a weekend to assist with the overwhelmingly devastating situation they were in. We were assigned to a pop-up clinic located in Lahaina Gateway, functioning as a triage spot for animals found in the burn zone as well as walk-up first aid for pets in need of medical attention, food, medications, and other basic pet supplies. It was incredible to see the number of veterinary professionals and volunteers, many from outer islands and even out-of-state, come together to help those affected. My professor from WCC, Dr. Jenny Kelly, also volunteered her expertise at a different pop-up, so getting to see her made the experience especially meaningful to me.
How did you decide to continue your undergraduate education at UH Mānoa?
I chose to continue my undergraduate education at UH Manoa because I was committed to attaining an Animal Science degree. I had gone to college in Oregon for a few years, however as the cost of out-of-state tuition continued to rise I chose to return home to complete my schooling. It was a little frustrating having to learn a whole campus all over again, but it was worth it knowing I was out of the cold, Oregon rain and could wear shorts and slippers!
If you could go back to UH Mānoa for one day as a student, what would you do?
I would definitely have to do my daily walk through campus from AgSci to Sinclair! I’d always have a long break between my morning and afternoon classes, so I’d make the trek from one end of the campus to the other. I preferred Sinclair over Hamilton because I could eat while I studied, plus Hamilton’s AC would turn me into an ice cube. This walk became somewhat therapeutic for me as I got to enjoy the beautiful campus scenery, listen to music, and play PokemonGo along the way.
While working at Hawaii Kai Veterinary Clinic, you decided to become a registered veterinary technician. How did you hear about the Windward CC program?
While I originally wanted to become a veterinarian, I realized I preferred the responsibilities of vet tech and changed my trajectory in pursuing additional education. I learned about the WCC Vet tech program through working at the clinic. Nearly all of the technicians at HKVC are registered techs and have gone through the program. Additionally, Dr. John Kaya, the owner of HKVC, and Dr. Eric Ako, an associate veterinarian at HKVC, were instrumental in establishing the WCC program and encouraged me to continue my education.
How did Windward CC’s hybrid program help you balance being a student and full-time employee?
The hybrid program was the perfect option for me to get my certification while also getting to work in the field. I am very much a hands-on learner, so being at work was a great opportunity for me to understand the coursework more deeply and master the skills I’m actively learning about. I was lucky one of my coworkers enrolled at the same time as me so we had each other to check in with regularly about school. Eventually our entire cohort got really close. Nearly all of my classmates were full time employees as well, so we bonded over delirious conversations about shared experiences or struggles while on break during long surgery/dental labs. The support I got from them really helped me get through the program.
What’s one thing you learned at Windward CC that you still use, whether it’s a vet skill or just great advice?
There are so many skills I learned at WCC that I use on daily, but I think my favorite would probably be venipuncture or placing IV catheters. Venipuncture, or drawing blood, is a skill we began learning our first term of the program. Luckily I had experience drawing blood from my job, but I learned tips and different techniques at school that I now do regularly. IV catheters were much more foreign to me, but we had many opportunities to practice placing them in our surgical and dental labs. Today I definitely find myself motivated by more difficult blood draws and catheter placements. There is nothing more satisfying than getting a sample from a 6 lbs spicy kitty on the first stick!
Why do you think it’s important to stay connected to the UH alumni ‘ohana?
Staying connected to the UH alumni ohana is such an important factor in helping current students succeed in their desired professions. The internship programs set up at both Manoa and WCC connect students to jobs in their field, often aligning them with alumni who’ve been in their shoes. I am the perfect example of why these relationships are so important. The mentorship I received from UH alumni during my UH Manoa internship was invaluable for me staying in this field, while my WCC grad coworkers not only shared their old textbooks, but amazing advice on what to expect at Windward. Now that I'm a UH alumni I hope to be that person for aspiring vet professionals.