Our people: Helping people (and dogs) in need

My name is Dustin Caroland. I was born in Albuquerque and moved to the Clovis/Portales area when I was 15-years-old. I am a graduate of Portales High School and will be graduating from Eastern New Mexico University in May next year with my bachelor's degree which I plan to use to get my physician assistant or medical doctor degree next. After I graduated high school I began working at the Clovis Fire Department on Christmas day when I was 18 years old, where I worked for six years. I had to leave the fire department earlier this year after I had open-heart surgery. I am now a full-time student, full-time flight paramedic in Tucumcari and a part-time medic in the emergency room at Plains Regional Medical Center. I have an absolutely wonderful wife Carissa and we have five dogs that have better health insurance than we do.

Tell us about your pets:

I have five dogs currently and none of them were planned. Nike was our first dog that my wife found on Main Street. I initially wasn't too keen on keeping him because he looked small and not quite the dog I wanted. Now we even have matching pajamas. Gypsy was rescued from a friend that found her in the county. Lucky was at the Portales Animal Shelter and not the dog we went to go see, but as we were leaving we noticed she had been bit recently by another dog and her wound wasn't looking good. The nurse in my wife and the paramedic in me quickly agreed on her and now she is "lucky" to be alive. Our fourth dog was named where my wife and I eat frequently, Chili's, so her name is Chili and she has mastered the art of running and jumping into people's arms, forcing them to hold her. Talia is the newest addition to our family as we are homing her for a friend's son who recently joined the military. It is safe to say we are those crazy dog people.

What is your most prized possession?

This is a rather new possession, but it is one that I do not plan to ever get rid of. I have a heart-shaped pillow that I was given after my surgery in January. This pillow acts as a splint while you cough, move - or in eastern New Mexico - sneeze. There is no greater comfort than having this pillow pulled to your chest when allergies are hitting you hard and your sternum is healing. My wife keeps trying to get me to get rid of it - she claims that it is probably full of germs - but I keep it hidden from her.

What's your idea of a perfect day?

A perfect day for me is rather simple. Waking up next to my wife and puppies is always the best part. Then going to work and being able to help someone in need and finish the day with a Duke basketball game beating the University of North Carolina at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

What are you reading?

That depends on what test I have coming up next. I love to read, but not normal books. My wife and close friends often give me a hard time because I buy textbooks for classes I am not taking and read them. Currently I am taking organic chemistry and have found myself reading a lot about that. If I have my choice though, I have a wonderful cardiovascular physiology book that I have enjoyed reading.

How would you like to be remembered?

I would like to be remembered as an honest and caring person. The type of person that anyone could call and know that they could count on me. I hope that my open and loving attitude towards people is something that is memorable. I also strive to make people smile, mainly with my jokes that aren't very funny. I believe that attitudes are contagious and thus I try to always be positive and I hope that is something I can be remembered for.

Who is invited to your fantasy dinner party? And why?

My cousins Todd, Randy and David, my uncle Rickie and my best friend Garret are the people who I want there to share this moment with me. The fantasy is for me to have a dinner party with coach Mike Krzyzewski and all the Duke basketball players to ever play. I am a huge Duke fan and as are my family members listed and friend. Duke has such a rich basketball history and some of the biggest names in college basketball wore a Duke jersey.

Favorite quote?

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." - Marianne Williamson

The first time I heard this quote was when I was watching the movie Coach Carter. I heard it and got chills down my arm. Every time I read this quote it means more to me. As a society we are all made for a purpose to help our society thrive. We are all given special abilities and we should push others to find those abilities and push them to be better. If a teacher withholds information from a student they are not just hurting that student, but anyone that student tries to teach in the future. A leader should want the people they train to surpass them in what they have done.

What's an accomplishment you're proud of?

After I had been a paramedic for just over a year I was able to take two advanced certification tests and passed. I now hold flight paramedic certification and a critical care paramedic certification. I went and got the education and certification on my own and am very proud to have done this so early in my career.

Who would play you if someone made a movie about your life?

I am going to say Andy Samberg, mainly because I get told I look like him quite often.

What do you hope your life will be like in 10 years?

Hopefully in two years I can answer this question more accurately, but I'll give the tentative plan. I am going to apply to physician assistant school in April for admission for August of 2020. If I get accepted to PA school I plan to focus on cardiovascular health, which I will bring this specialty back to Clovis and give back to the community that has set me up for the success in life I have had.

- Compiled by Staff Writer Jamie Cushman