From left to right: Ana Gabriela Marín-Jiménez, KeeLeigh Jenkins, Ashley Joyce, Sydney Cunningham, Ashton Bazzell.
As we near the completion of our Spring 2022 Undergraduate Internship Program, we have asked each of our 19 undergraduate interns about their experience at Peterson Smith Equine Hospital + Complete Care.
Ana Gabriela Marín-Jiménez
“When I first came here, I didn’t know anything about working with horses in the medical field. This internship has given me so much knowledge and experiences than what I originally expected. It requires long hours, discipline, effort, patience, resilience and many other skills in order to really get the best out of this amazing opportunity. Getting to know from the basics to the more complex procedures alongside Dr. Rood was for sure my favorite part of the internship. Every day was different and the challenges presented where more exiting every time. I acquired and reinforced good habits during my stay that I know in the long run are going to help me in whichever road I decide to follow and for that I will be forever grateful.”
Ana Gabriela Marín-Jiménez is from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and is studying animal science at Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto Universitario de Mayagüez. Ana is an undergraduate intern in the ambulatory department with Dr. Rood at Peterson Smith Equine Hospital + Complete Care.
Ashley Joyce
“I have enjoyed the various learning opportunities presented by my work with Dr. Cayot. These experiences included a wide range of opportunities from assisting at HITS Ocala horse show which included a series of CSI2* show jumping classes to helping with pre-purchase exams and breeding mares. This internship gave me the opportunity to see the many different sides of equine veterinary medicine and showed me the lifestyle of an equine veterinarian in horse country. I would not be able to trade it for anything.”
Ashley Joyce is from Concord, Ohio, and is studying animal health with a concentration in pre-veterinary medicine with an equine track at Centenary University. Ashley is an undergraduate intern in the ambulatory department with Dr. Cayot at Peterson Smith Equine Hospital + Complete Care.
Ashton Bazzell
“I have enjoyed working with Dr. Hahn, Dr. Reynolds, and Dr. Lopez and gaining experience in the equine field.”
Ashton Bazzell is from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in December 2021 with a bachelors degree in Animal Science with Honors Distinction. She will be attending the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in August. Ashton is an undergraduate intern in the ambulatory department with Dr. Hahn at Peterson Smith Equine Hospital + Complete Care.
KeeLeigh Jenkins
“I have most enjoyed getting to know the talented doctors and their diverse journeys that brought them down the path they are on. Learning underneath them has truly been amazing and the breadth of knowledge I’ve gained has been astounding.”
KeeLeigh Jenkins is from Rockledge, Florida, and is studying animal science at University of Florida. KeeLeigh is an undergraduate intern in the ambulatory department with Dr. McFarlin at Peterson Smith Equine Hospital + Complete Care.
Sydney Cunningham
“One thing I love about this internship is that by being a part of the ambulatory team you get to see a wide variety of cases while also forming relationships with clients that you couldn’t while in a hospital setting. The changes in day-to-day work keeps things interesting and has helped strengthen my veterinarian skills in the field.”
Sydney Cunningham is from Orlando, Florida, and is studying biology at University of Central Florida. Sydney is an undergraduate intern in the ambulatory department with Dr. Thacker at Peterson Smith Equine Hospital + Complete Care.
