Nikolas Hernandez

Meet Nikolas Hernandez, one of our Veterinary Technician Assistants at God's Dogs Rescue Veterinary Clinic! Nikolas may be relatively new to veterinary medicine, but he's already discovered a passion for helping animals, learning new skills, and being part of a team that makes a difference.

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Unlike some veterinary professionals who knew from childhood that they wanted to work with animals, Nikolas found his calling a little differently. Fresh out of high school and searching for his path, veterinary medicine found him—and he's been growing, learning, and falling more in love with the field ever since.

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Nikolas graduated from Pima Medical Institute's Veterinary Assistant program and has approximately a year of hands-on experience in veterinary medicine, along with additional time spent completing his education.

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Why Veterinary Medicine? ❤️

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One of the things Nikolas enjoys most about veterinary medicine might surprise you: the math! He loves the calculations and problem-solving involved in patient care, along with the opportunity to work with animals of all shapes and sizes—especially the tiniest patients that practically fit in a teacup!

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For Nikolas, veterinary medicine is a career where there's always something new to learn, and he's excited to continue developing his skills and knowledge.

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Why God's Dogs Rescue Veterinary Clinic?

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For Nikolas, what makes GDRVC special isn't just the animals—it's the people.  He describes the clinic as more than a workplace. It's a place where he feels supported, encouraged, and part of a family. Working alongside knowledgeable teammates who genuinely want to see him succeed has given him a sense of belonging and confidence in the career path ahead of him.

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And Nikolas has another important responsibility around the clinic...He's our unofficial plant caretaker! 🪴

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If you've noticed the plants throughout the building looking happy and healthy, there's a good chance Nikolas deserves some credit. He takes pride in helping care for the clinic's greenery alongside Dr. Knowlton. Once the patients' needs are taken care of, checking on the plants is one of his favorite ways to start the day.

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Meet Nikolas's Crew 🐶

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Dixon is Nikolas's calm, easygoing Labrador mix, named after Daryl Dixon from one of his favorite television shows, The Walking Dead. Unlike his namesake's action-packed adventures, Dixon seems perfectly content taking life at a more relaxed pace.

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Then there's Honey, his energetic little girl who apparently missed the lesson on sitting still! With what Nikolas suspects is some Blue Heeler in her mix, Honey is constantly on the move and has a serious appreciation for food. She's always ready for her next snack—or adventure! Together, Dixon and Honey keep life entertaining.

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Outside the Clinic

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When Nikolas isn't caring for patients or tending to the clinic's plants, he's probably adding something new to one of his collections!

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He's a huge fan of Marvel, DC, comics, books, movies, and television shows, especially anything involving fictional worlds and memorable characters.

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Nikolas also has a soft spot for Labradors, Bengals, and Sphynx cats. But his favorite unusual animal? A hyrax! Yes, a hyrax! If you've never heard of one, imagine a small, round, furry animal that looks a little like a guinea pig or groundhog—but is actually a distant relative of elephants! 🐘

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Nikolas's Advice to Pet Parents 💙

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Nikolas believes that kindness and compassion should always be at the heart of pet ownership.

His advice is simple:

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"Treat your pet the way you'd want them to treat you and others." Our pets depend on us for their health, happiness, and well-being, and Nikolas believes they deserve the same patience, respect, and love that we hope to receive ourselves.

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"The best part of veterinary medicine is…"

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"The animals we help continue to grow and live in the healthiest way we are able to provide to them."

For Nikolas, it's all about helping animals live healthier lives while continuing to grow as a veterinary professional himself.

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Favorite dog breed? Labradors! 🐶

Favorite cat breeds? Bengals and Sphynx cats! 🐱

Favorite unusual animal? A hyrax!

Secret clinic responsibility? Keeping Dr. Knowlton's plants alive and thriving! 🪴

Favorite fictional universe? Don't make him choose between Marvel and DC! 🦸