Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
When Yaqui Animal Rescue launched its spay and neuter clinic in 2025, the initiative was more than just about addressing animal overpopulation in South Texas—it became a platform for shaping the next generation of veterinary professionals. Through a partnership with Donna North High School’s Veterinary Animal Science program, students are now receiving hands-on training that gives them a competitive edge in a field where access to opportunities often depends on socioeconomic background.
“We figured out a way that it leads to a career pathway,” explained Becca Arizmendi-Chavez, Chief Operations Officer of Yaqui Animal Rescue. “The students will graduate having shadowed about 300 hours with a licensed vet. They will graduate with a veterinary assistant certification, which means they will be well-equipped to find a job locally if needed. Or if they want to further their career in veterinary medicine, they now have the prerequisites to apply to vet school.”
For students in less affluent communities, these credentials are transformative. “They are now just as competitive as other students in more affluent communities,” Arizmendi-Chavez emphasized. By leveling the playing field, the program opens doors that might otherwise remain closed, ensuring that passion for animal care can translate into viable careers.
The collaboration began in 2024, with a year-long planning and fundraising effort that culminated in the first spay and neuter clinic in April 2025. Since then, Yaqui Animal Rescue has conducted multiple clinics, sterilizing hundreds of animals at low cost. By September 2025, the organization expects to have altered the health of more than 430 animals.
The clinics also serve as a training ground for students. Equipped with medical supplies, anesthesia machines, autoclaves, and surgical instruments, the program gives young people direct exposure to veterinary procedures under professional supervision. “It’s really amazing what we’ve been able to accomplish because many organizations can’t do it,” Arizmendi-Chavez said.
Support from the local government has helped sustain the initiative. Hidalgo County Commissioners Court approved a grant earlier this year to fund part of the medical equipment. “Donna North was able to purchase some equipment; we purchased the rest, and we have another $11,000 coming from the county, probably by the end of October,” Arizmendi-Chavez noted.
Founded in 2013, Yaqui Animal Rescue operates on 80 acres in Sullivan City and currently houses around 250 animals, including dogs, cats, horses, cows, and pigs. Beyond rescue operations, the organization has become a lifeline for pet owners in need, offering food assistance, vaccinations, and emergency veterinary support. But the demand, Arizmendi-Chavez admits, often exceeds resources. “We’re getting 30 calls or messages a day from people saying, ‘I found this animal, can you please help?’ We can’t help them all, but we knew we had to take initiative on our own.”
By linking its mission of animal welfare with youth empowerment, Yaqui Animal Rescue is not only responding to urgent community needs but also investing in long-term solutions. The Donna North High School partnership demonstrates how creative collaborations can expand access to education, address workforce shortages, and prepare students for meaningful careers.
For Arizmendi-Chavez, the impact is clear: “We are making really big moves to make a really big impact in our community.”
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