When she was accepted to UVM, Sangavi Muthuswamy was uncertain whether to pursue a nursing degree through the Larner College of Medicine or follow her love of animals into the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences. However, after hearing about the programs, she knew that Animal Sciences was what piqued her interest. Four years of nonstop, hands-on learning in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences have shown not only confirmed her choice but also ignited a fire of enthusiasm for her future career.

"One of the strengths of the Animal Science program is that there's a lot of diversity in the careers that it preps you for."

The final semester of her senior year culminated in one of the most influential and transformational experiences of all: an Internship at UVM's Morgan Horse Farm in Weybridge, Vermont.  

The Morgan Horse is the Vermont State animal, and its development as a renowned breed began in Vermont.  UVM has owned the Morgan Horse Farm since 1951, and through a careful breeding program, the Morgan Horse Farm is instrumental in perpetuating the desirable qualities of this famous breed.  As an intern at this prestigious facility, Sangavi had the opportunity to observe and assist in the training of yearlings and be part of the exciting birthing process of this year's foals.  Getting the internship is highly competitive, so she had already taken several classes on the care, health, and training of horses before applying. 

"I was part of the class called Equus where we are assigned one of the four to five ASI horses that come, and I was assigned to care for this little Welsh pony named Chili who was eight years old, and he was the cutest Little Pony, and I learned all about caring and managing a horse. I think that's when I really decided that when I graduate college, that I want a horse. I want to get a horse, and I want to take care of that horse, and train the horse, and just give the horse the best life possible."

Sangavi has found several areas of animal science that she didn't know anything about, that proved highly engaging and which broadened her skills and experience. One example was her class in Zoo and Exotic Animals which she knew little about, but which she describes as "so amazing." Sangavi advises incoming animal and veterinary science students, "Don't be afraid to take a class that seems a little bit odd, or that's not really something you're interested in. Take all the classes you possibly can, and try and get as much hands-on experience as you can."

Sangavi already has a job lined up for post-graduation, working in Maryland at a dog training and rehabilitation center. However, she's also considering becoming a Morgan Horse Farm Apprentice at some point in the future. The Morgan Horse Farm Apprenticeship program is an advanced, post-degree program that offers a unique opportunity for in-depth, hands-on learning.in which apprentices live on the Morgan Horse Farm for a full year to participate in one complete breeding and birthing cycle.

"I would love to come back here to the Morgan Horse Farm in a few years and to be an apprentice."