Alumni Story: Jenna Como '22

What Led Me to DelVal

From a young age, I have always had a deep love for animals. I was the child at the petting zoo volunteering to hold the most exotic reptile or the one at the family gathering completely fascinated by the family pet. While I loved learning about all animals, my greatest passion was always companion animals, especially dogs, but also cats, hamsters, guinea pigs and countless others. That early passion has remained with me ever since, shaping both my interests and the way I connect with the world around me.

It wasn't until my sophomore year of high school, after watching a YouTube video of a veterinarian performing surgeries, that I realized I wanted to pursue a career working with animals. From there, I began researching what steps I needed to take to reach that goal. At 16 years old, I focused on improving my grades, joined my high school's pre-veterinary and STEM clubs, began volunteering at my local veterinary hospital, and eventually was the first volunteer hired.

I knew choosing the right college would be one of the most important decisions I made. Few schools offer animal-focused majors, let alone the hands-on experience that Delaware Valley University provides. While many of my peers were choosing colleges based on campus life and social experiences, I was focused on finding a school that would help me reach my goal of becoming a veterinarian. Between DelVal's hands-on learning opportunities, small class sizes and strong focus on animal science and pre-veterinary studies, it was an easy decision. 

 

My DelVal Experience

At DelVal, I majored in small animal science, where I was able to learn the biology, care and medical management of companion animals while gaining hands-on experience working directly with them. I was determined to make the most of my time there by maintaining strong grades and becoming involved in extracurricular activities that would continue to build my knowledge and experience.

I was involved in Pre-Vet Club and Animal Lifeline Club, and I was a member of Delta Epsilon Beta sorority. Through my coursework and involvement on campus, I learned not only about animal care but also valuable skills such as leadership, teamwork and communication.

One of the most memorable experiences I had at DelVal was participating in a pre-veterinary program through Loop Abroad the summer before my sophomore year. I traveled to Thailand with Dr. Shelly and several classmates, where I studied elephants and learned about tropical medicine while spending a week in the jungle. During the second week in the program, I focused on shelter medicine, where I assisted with surgeries, took medical histories and learned how to perform basic medical exams. The experience deepened my passion for animal welfare and broadened my understanding of animal care around the world.

That same summer, through Animal Lifeline Club, I traveled to Maine with Rescue Rebuild, where we helped renovate a domestic violence shelter to make it more accommodating for individuals with pets. Through my E360 experience, I also volunteered at Last Chance Ranch caring for rescued animals. These experiences were incredibly meaningful and helped shape the way I viewed animal care and advocacy.

 

Discovering A New Career Path

During my sophomore year, after spending nearly three years working at my local veterinary hospital between semesters, I began questioning whether becoming a veterinarian was the right path for me. It was not an easy decision and involved a lot of reflection, uncertainty and difficult conversations. Ultimately, I realized that while I still wanted my career to involve animals, the veterinary field was not the right fit for me.

I decided to continue pursuing my small animal science degree because I knew my future would still involve working with animals. Even when I was interested in becoming a veterinarian, I always envisioned myself eventually owning my own practice and taking on the business side of the industry. Because of that, adding a minor in business was a natural next step.

After graduating in 2022, I continued my education through DelVal's 4+1 program and earned my Master of Business Administration (MBA). This experience taught me the skills needed to understand the many aspects of running a successful business, from management to operation. After moving back home to New York, I was able to complete the program remotely while working and continuing to explore my future career path.

 

My Current Career

Today, I am the owner of Barx by J, a full-time dog walking and pet sitting business. I currently serve over 50 clients, have one employee and have built a business centered around my passion for animals. I have also expanded my brand by creating an online shop where I design and make luxury dog gear using biothane materials.

I truly believe my success is a direct result of the education and experiences I gained at DelVal. My small animal science background allowed me to understand the science, health and behavior behind companion animals, while my business education gave me the tools to turn my passion into a sustainable career.

Through my social media channels under Barx_byj, I have also been able to educate millions of people about pet safety, animal care and responsible pet ownership.

 

Advice

My biggest advice to students is to never be afraid of changing your career path. If you discover that something you once dreamed of is no longer the right fit, that does not mean you failed, it means you learned more about yourself.

Entrepreneurship allows you to take something you truly love and create a career around it. I always dreamed of spending my days surrounded by animals and now I am fortunate enough to do exactly that.

If you have a business idea but do not know where to start, take the first step. Social media is a powerful tool that can help you build a foundation. I started Barx by J as an Instagram page, began dog sitting through word of mouth, and slowly developed my website, business card and policies as my business grew.

Believe in yourself, stay consistent and do not be afraid to take the risk. The hardest part is simply getting started.