From left to right: Joshua Neumann, Krystaliz Ocasio-Ortega, Katy Hagopian, Elayna Anderson, Paola Colom Diaz, Stephanie Delgado Dávila. Not pictured: Raven Walters.
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. Read about the our hospital department undergraduate interns’ experiences below.
Elayna Anderson
“I have loved seeing the variety of cases that the hospital receives. I enjoy being a part of emergencies, and the foals have certainly grown on me. Dr. Clark has opened my eyes to the intricate and vast world of internal medicine, and combined that with foals to make it even more interesting. I feel like I have learned valuable clinical skills, as well as conceptual and personal skills from working in the hospital at all hours around the clock. I’m excited to take all of these new skills and experiences to vet school with me in the fall!”
Elayna Anderson is from Jacksonville, Florida, and is studying animal science/pre-vet at Kansas State University. She has been accepted into the veterinary program at Kansas State University and will start in the fall. Elayna is an undergraduate intern in the hospital department at Peterson Smith Equine Hospital + Complete Care.
Joshua Neumann
“My favorite part of this experience has been working with the foals.”
Joshua Neumann is from Long Island, New York, and recently graduated from Cornell University with a degree in animal science. Joshua is an undergraduate intern in the hospital department at Peterson Smith Equine Hospital + Complete Care.
Katy Hagopian
“I have enjoyed getting to see and work on unique cases I otherwise would not have been able to see during my undergraduate career.”
Katy Hagopian is from Raleigh, North Carolina, and is studying animal science at North Carolina State University. Katy is an undergraduate intern in the hospital department at Peterson Smith Equine Hospital + Complete Care.
Krystaliz Ocasio-Ortega
“I enjoyed the Peterson Smith Equine Hospital + Complete Care undergraduate internship in all aspects. Every step led me to have enrichment experiences of professional development that have reaffirmed my passion for equine medicine and surgery. It was exciting to work hand in hand with professionals, not in the theoretical, but rather, the practical areas of the equine medicine, and to create vet/tech/patient relationships. It was an experience that exceeded my expectations.”
Krystaliz Ocasio-Ortega is from Corozal, Puerto Rico, and is studying animal science/pre-veterinary at University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus. Krystaliz is an undergraduate intern in the hospital department at Peterson Smith Equine Hospital + Complete Care.
Paola Colom Diaz
“While doing this internship I have definitely enjoyed being exposed to different clinical cases, in which I get to be a part of and work alongside a diverse team. I’m extremely grateful for all of the veterinarians and technicians that have offered their training and mentoring. Thanks to their support, I will continue to acquire the knowledge and skills to reach my career goals, where I plan to innovate within the field of veterinary medicine.”
Paola Colom Diaz is from Puerto Rico and recently graduated from the University of Puerto Rico with a bachelor’s degree in animal science and pre-vet. Paola is an undergraduate intern in the hospital department at Peterson Smith Equine Hospital + Complete Care.
Raven Walters
“I have enjoyed the hands-on learning, along with working with vets and learning from them.”
Raven Walters is from Florida and is studying equine exercise physiology at College of Central Florida. Raven is an undergraduate intern in the hospital department at Peterson Smith Equine Hospital + Complete Care.
Stephanie Delgado Dávila
“Before Peterson Smith I had little experience working with horses, and this experience allowed me to gain confidence working with them and learn a lot more medical procedures from the variety of cases arriving daily at the hospital. My favorite parts of this experience were providing urgent care, working along side doctors and technicians, and constantly searching for better ways to improve the well-being of young and adult horses.”
Stephanie Delgado Dávila is from Puerto Rico and recently graduated from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, with a bachelor’s degree in animal science and pre-vet. Stephanie is an undergraduate intern in the hospital department at Peterson Smith Equine Hospital + Complete Care.
