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From the classroom to the barn, 91���� third-year students Maddie Closson and Samantha Martin lead the herd for the Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AVS) program as farmworkers, teaching assistants and interns. 

Each week, Closson and Martin travel to Witter Farm to work in the equine and dairy cattle barns, greeted by the sounds of mooing cows, neighing horses and cliquing hooves. Closson, an animal and veterinary sciences major with a concentration in equine sciences, oversees her peers as they feed the horses, clean their stalls and take them on trail rides. Martin, third-year animal and veterinary sciences major with a concentration in pre-veterinary sciences, teaches other students how to milk cows and monitor their health. 

According to Closson and Marin, hands-on learning experiences like these are a unique aspect of 91����’s AVS program. Students like them gain a tremendous sense of fulfillment from working with and learning from the animals on campus. Martin explained her interest in the program with a quote from her mother: “Chase the dream, not the money.” 

Galloping toward success

Before attending 91����, Closson of Hancock, Maine had no experience working with horses. Despite the lack of experience, she found an opportunity to grow and develop her skills with the program’s equine internship. 

“I had never interacted with horses before starting the AVS program. After I started working with the 1,200-1,500 pound animals, I realized that this is what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. Through school, I get to work with these animals, and it makes getting through tough classes worth it,” said Closson.  

The hands-on experiences the program provides were crucial in developing Closson’s confidence to properly work with the horses in the barn. 

“Maddie has always been passionate about animal science and seeks every opportunity to learn about livestock and the industry. She has held multiple positions in the industry and I have no doubt that she will be a key player in Maine agriculture in the future,” said Maddy Philbrick, AVS program coordinator and advisor. “She is driven and passionate, I have seen her thrive at the Witter center really becoming an agricultural leader. Maddie has experience in the Maine commercial dairy, poultry, and equine industries and brings all of this experience into her work at Witter.”  

Learning with livestock

Martin of Pittsfield, Maine, gained experience working with small animals before starting her studies at 91����. 

“Samantha served as an undergraduate TA in my course last semester and proved she was a natural leader and manager,” said Philbrick. “She helped facilitate and manage her peers in the dairy barn showing an impeccable amount of tenacity and time management balancing the needs of the course and her own courses.” 

Martin worked as a teaching assistant for the AVS 347 Dairy Cattle Technology Laboratory course, through which students learned not only how to properly milk the cows, but also draw blood, complete a successful pregnancy test and perform other tasks that support cow health. 

“I had never worked with livestock before college. However, after I started working with the cows on the farm, it gave me a broader outlook on the field of veterinary medicine and veterinary sciences itself,” said Martin. “It has taught me a lot about leadership. I needed to step up with being reachable, my communication has improved dramatically this semester, I have also become more organized taking ownership of situations.” 

Memorable mentorship 

Closson credits her academic success to various mentors in the Animal and Veterinary Sciences program, including associate professor Robert Causey, Philbrick, Witter Farm Superintendent Patricia Henderson and other students and faculty who accompanied her on the farm. 

“Maddy Philbrick and Patricia Henderson are my biggest supporters through my program as they will answer any of my questions no matter how ridiculous and have pushed me to be my best self at Witter farm. I’m able to work alongside Patricia and learn from her,” said Closson.   

Martin said Philbrick is one of the most important mentors to her academic success. 

“She was the herd manager for my first two years, then recently she became an advisor for 91����. She has helped us bring funds and attention to the program. She will fight and advocate for you to help you get the opportunities you want,” said Martin.

Learn more about Closson’s and Martin’s experiences in the Animal and Veterinary Sciences program in their episode of 91����’s “Day in the Life” series available on and . 

Story by news and social media intern Luke ONeil.

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu