From left to right: Chelsy Lopez Esparra, Josie Roberts, Amber Engle, Adriana Maria Rodriguez Alvarez, Maria Escanellas, Paulina Nieves, Taylor Gertgen.
As we say farewell to our Spring 2022 undergraduate interns, we asked each about their experience at Peterson Smith Equine Hospital + Complete Care. Read the responses from the our Advanced Fertility Center’s group of undergraduate interns below.
Adriana Maria Rodriguez Alvarez
“I have most enjoyed learning how to be more confident around horses and how to understand their behavior. Working with foals is definitely a highlight, and having the opportunity to assist with foaling has been an outstanding experience.”
Adriana Maria Rodriguez Alvarez is from Puerto Rico and is will graduate from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, in June with a degree in animal science. She will begin studying veterinary medicine at the University of Glasgow later this year. Adriana is an undergraduate intern at the Peterson Smith Advanced Fertility Center.
Amber Engle
“I enjoyed getting real hands on experience to grow my horse handling skills.”
Amber Engle is from Norwich, Connecticut, and is attending the University of Connecticut. Amber is an undergraduate intern at the Peterson Smith Advanced Fertility Center.
Chelsy Lopez Esparra
“I’m so grateful for all I have learned in the AFC, from horse handling to reproductive medicine. Without doubt, it has been four months of learning, along with professional and personal growth.”
Chelsy Lopez Esparra is from Puerto Rico and graduated from the University of Puerto Rico with a bachelor’s degree in animal science and a concentration in pre-vet. Chelsy is an undergraduate intern at the Peterson Smith Advanced Fertility Center.
Josie Roberts
“Over the past few months I have really enjoyed learning about all the components of equine reproduction, as well as managing general herd health. My favorite rotation so far has been working with the stallions and semen collection because it was an entirely new part of the reproduction industry that I found to be really interesting.”
Josie Roberts is from Lapeer, Michigan, and is studying animal science at Purdue University. Josie is an undergraduate intern at the Peterson Smith Advanced Fertility Center.
Maria Escanellas
“I’ve enjoyed the hands-on experience. The doctors are always there to teach and help us in every step of this learning experience during the breading season. They truly served as an inspiration to make equine reproduction a path to consider in my future endeavors.”
Maria Escanellas is from Juncos, Puerto Rico, and recently graduated from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez. She will be attending St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine. Maria is an undergraduate intern at the Peterson Smith Advanced Fertility Center.
Paulina Nieves
“My experience at the AFC has been full of personal and professional growth. Dr. Melissa Prell, Dr. Phil Matthews and Sara Clausen, the stallion technician, offered me the opportunity to develop many skills necessary for the veterinary medicine path that I will never forget. I definitely would say that the rotations I enjoyed the most were foaling watch and working in the stallion lab.”
Paulina Nieves is from Arecibo, Puerto Rico, and is studying animal science/pre-vet at University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez. Paulina is an undergraduate intern at the Peterson Smith Advanced Fertility Center.
Taylor Gertgen
“My favorite experience working at the AFC is getting to observe the different procedures such as flushes and aspirations. During the internship we got to see different sides of equine medicine and care from inseminations, births, administering intramuscular and oral medications, wound care and treatments. This has been a great experience to learn and grow from.”
Taylor Gertgen is from Prior Lake, Minnesota, and is studying animal science with an equine emphasis at the University of Wisconsin River Falls. Taylor is an undergraduate intern at the Peterson Smith Advanced Fertility Center.
