Celebrate Vet Tech Week with Penn Foster graduate Jo Dsouza, who turned his love for animals into a rewarding veterinary technician career. In this episode, Jo shares how Penn Foster’s flexible, AVMA-accredited Vet Tech program prepared him for real-world success through hands-on externships, a supportive community, and practical online learning.

Hosted by Jenny and Jess, this inspiring conversation highlights what it’s really like to study veterinary technology online, the importance of mental health in animal care, and how to make meaningful connections even in a virtual learning environment.

Check out our blog of Jo's interview: https://www.pennfoster.edu/blog/jo-dsouza-penn-foster-online-vet-tech-program

Learn more about the Penn Foster Veterinary Technician program: https://www.pennfoster.edu/programs/veterinary/veterinary-technician-associate-degree

It's Vet Tech Week, and it's almost Halloween! In celebration, Lauren devotes an entire episode to the rabies vaccine. 🎃

Key Takeaways:

+Rabies is a serious zoonotic disease that can affect humans.

+Routine vaccinations are essential for preventing rabies.

+Veterinary technicians are at increased risk of rabies exposure.

+The rabies vaccine is crucial for those working with animals.

+The costs of the rabies vaccine can be significant, ranging from $560 to $720.

+Documentation of rabies vaccination is required for externships.

+Titers may be needed to prove immunity to rabies.

+Rabies has been eradicated in dogs in the U.S. since 2007.

+Vaccination is the best prevention against rabies.

Rabies Vaccine Cost Assistance Programs

+Sanofi Pasteur’s Patient Assistance Program (providing Imogam® Rabies HT and Imovax® IM) An application form and information about the program can be found on their website or by calling 1-800-822-2463.

+Bavarian Nordic Pharmaceuticals Patient Assistance Program (providing RabAvert®) https://bnvaccines.com or by telephone at 1-844-422-8274.

+Grifols Patient Assistance Program (providing HyperRab™) https://www.hyperrab.com/en/hcp or by telephone 1-833-504-9983.

+Passport Health https://www.passporthealthusa.com/ offers a $50 off coupon for Penn Foster students.

Jess and Jenny talk about this year's graduation ceremony: the crowd, the performers, the grads, the dogs! Celebrate our 2025 graduating class, and don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe! You can get more Penn Foster graduation content on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok; search Penn Foster!

Have you ever wanted to take an online class and been told that online degrees are fake and that no college or job will accept them? You’re not alone! We’re busting some myths about online learning so you can make the right choice about your education.

Want to learn more about enrolling in Penn Foster? Start here: https://enroll.pennfoster.edu/

Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe!

Sources:

1. https://www.devlinpeck.com/content/online-learning-statistics

2. https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2024/12/12/high-school-exit-exams-dwindle-to-about-half-a-dozen-states/

Jess and Jenny sit down with Monet Carter, the 2025 Penn Foster Graduate of the Year Winner! This Georgia resident and student at Atlanta Technical College earned her high school diploma online at Penn Foster High School, and we are so proud to have her as an alum.

She shares her struggles, triumphs, and how she finished high school online at Penn Foster. Congratulations, Monet!

Learn more:

Enroll in Penn Foster High School: https://www.pennfoster.edu/high-school

Watch this year's graduation!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNUp4CSHzuU

This week, I sit down with Annie Littrell, Penn Foster's Diversity Officer, to talk about DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). She shares insights on DEI in education, accessibility, and leveling the playing field. So, how can we work towards making sure everyone feels included and valued at school and work? Let's get into it!

Recommended reading for this episode:

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson

Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women White Feminists Forgot by Mikki Kendall

Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During this Crisis (and the Next) by Dean Spade

DEI Deconstructed: Your No-Nonsense Guide to Doing the Work and Doing It Right by Lily Zheng

View/download the transcript

It's officially graduation season, so let's celebrate! Lauren is joined by Des to talk about all things graduation: not just the who-what-when-and-where, but also WHY you should attend! Let's celebrate your huge success together!

Register by July 18 so you don't miss out!

🎓Register here: https://www.huddlearea.com/pfg-registration/

👨🏻‍🎓Registration FAQ: https://www.huddlearea.com/pfg-registration/faqs/

❓Need help or have questions? Email us: [email protected]

🖊Sign this year's yearbook!: https://yearbook.kudoboard.com/boards/DwTdWdH6/pfhs2023

We can't wait to see you on August 16! You did it! 🎉

Lauren chats with Jesie Davenport, a team lead in the pharmacy technician program at Penn Foster! Jesie fills us in on everything we need to know about becoming a pharm tech: how the program works, externships, exams, and more!

Read more about Penn Foster's Pharmacy Technician Program: https://www.pennfoster.edu/programs/healthcare/pharmacy-technician-career-diploma

Jess and Jenny discuss mental health matters in this replay of May's Facebook Live. When you feel anxious, depressed, or lost in your life, things can feel hopeless. You are not alone, and there are tons of resources--including many listed below--if you need help. Jess and Jenny talk about how to combat those pesky thoughts that make us feel like we aren't good enough.

We are not mental health experts. Here are some great resources if you are looking for someone to talk to or get more information:

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, confidential, free, 24/7/365 help is available.

Call or text 988

Chat at https://988lifeline.org/

TTY users can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988

More resources can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/mental-health/caring/index.html#cdc_caring_for_yourself_and_others_resources-resources

Lauren talks with Penn Foster High School English instructor Danielle Cooper all about teaching reading comprehension in high school, our favorite books, and why students need more, not fewer, assigned pages.

Join the conversation! Like, comment, and subscribe to Fostering Conversations: A Penn Foster Podcast and never miss an episode!

Learn more about our high school program: https://www.pennfoster.edu/high-school

Want info about Graduation 2025? Here's the FAQ: https://www.pennfoster.edu/why-penn-foster/learning/graduation