The beauty, intelligence, and agility of horses has amazed me my whole life. I began taking riding lessons when I was eight years old, and spent several fun years exploring the trails and beaches of Nantucket Island with my pony, Whinnie. While she moved onto greener pastures in Vermont, I moved onto highschool. I was separated from horses for a few years, while I began searching for something else. I was content, but something was missing in my life. My senior year I began volunteering at a therapeutic riding barn, and I became whole again. Watching and experiencing the connection between horses and humans, and the healing that can happen has been amazing. It is beautiful to see the love the participants and horses have for each other. When I made the decision to go to UMass, I was very nervous. There are more undergraduate students there than people living year-round in my hometown! Some of my classes were the size of my entire highschool. As I was thinking that I would never find my place there, I took Animal Science 101 and immediately knew that it was right for me. I hope to begin a career in the animal welfare field. I am passionate about standing up for those whose voices cannot be heard. 

I am especially interested in animal behavior, and Blue Star Equiculture has given me an incredible opportunity to observe herd dynamics, and understand more about how horses relate to one another. There is a great sense of community and lots of love at this place, and I am so excited to be a part of it!!