DAFVM Spotlight: Chelsea Jackson
Chelsea Jackson
ICU Technician I
CVM Clinical Science Department
Years in Position/ Service to MSU: 4
Working in the intensive care unit at the Mississippi State University Animal Health Center can be daunting, but Chelsea Jackson, ICU technician I and lead overnight head technician, has found immense reward in the work.
Jackson helps stabilize critical patients and care for hospitalized animals transferred from other departments of the Animal Health Center, which is located at MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Emergencies in the ICU range from something as simple as a torn toenail to life-saving surgical procedures.
“Getting to be a part of the reason why someone’s animal gets to go home makes the hardships and sad times worth it,” Jackson said.
Her passion for the field began while she was a veterinary technician student working in the ER and ICU during clinical rotations. Shadowing Nancy Williams, then ICU supervisor, was a pivotal moment.
“Working under her was the starting point of discovering my love for this career,” Jackson said.
For Jackson, the most meaningful part of her job is helping pets through their sickest moments and watching them recover well enough to return home. In fact, two of her patients have found their forever home with her.
One of them is Seahorse, a beagle mix brought in by a rescue organization for reconstructive surgery on her mouth. Malnourished and showing signs of neglect, Seahorse required tube feeding and spent months in the ICU. With help from community donations, her medical bills were covered. Jackson began fostering her for a few days each week to give her a break from the hospital. Soon, those days turned forever. Jackson adopted Seahorse and now proudly brings her back to visit the ICU team.
“She’s like a celebrity in our unit. She was there for so long, everyone loves to see her,” Jackson said.
Jackson also adopted Lilly, an eight-week-old pit bull puppy brought to the ER after being thrown from a moving vehicle. Lilly required surgery that resulted in the amputation of one of her back legs.
“I brought her home the day after her surgery, and now she and Seahorse are two peas in a pod,” Jackson said.
Outside of work, Jackson enjoys running, reading, coloring, going to the gym, and spending time with her “fur babies” -- Seahorse, Lilly, four adopted shelter cats, and the rotating foster animals she cares for through the Homeward Bound Project.
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