Educational Opportunities abound for college students at Brook Hill Farm. It is not only important to rehabilitate unwanted horses, but also to educate the public on equine welfare, and how horses can provide amazing healing benefits for people. Brook Hill Farm can help more horses through educating the public than the farm can physically house. The farm offers a unique opportunity for personal growth and equine education for college students, and is pleased to offer the following college programs.
College Interns
In collaboration with regional schools including Virginia Tech, Randolph College, University of Lynchburg, Sweet Briar, and Liberty University, the farm provides many opportunities for college students to participate in a variety of internships which earn them college credit in many fields. Brook Hill Farm averages 4-6 interns per semester. The internships are tailored to meet their individual needs.
Pre-Vet and Vet Tech Students
Students interested in Veterinary medicine are given their own “case load”, working closely with the Veterinarians and staff. These students will gain extensive experience working with the equines on the farm, which gives them valuable large animal experience that will help them when applying to Vet School. This internship can also help to meet the requirements for a Vet Tech degree.
Pre-Med and Biology
Students interested in medicine and biology can pursue internships at Brook Hill Farm. The young lady in the picture is getting her PhD in Veterinarian Medicine, not as a Veterinarian, but as a research scientist.
Psychology, Social Work and Counseling
Many college interns with backgrounds in Psychology, Sociology, and Counseling are work with participants with diverse needs.
Education
Education majors are able to tutor students in academics during the United Neigh Program, the Schooling with Horses program, and the Pandemic Pod using experiential learning experiences to help the students.
Riding Instructor
Interns interested in becoming a riding instructor, for the general population or for adaptive riding, participate in teaching actual lessons. The instructors that have interned at Brook Hill Farm have gone on to have successful careers in the industry.
College Course Offerings
Dedicated to the mission of education, it is only natural that Brook Hill Farm has established a strong connection with local colleges. The Executive Director is an Adjunct Professor at Randolph College, teaching “Introduction to Equine Science”, and “Equine Assisted Services”. She has been been a guest graduate lecturer at the University of Lynchburg, and has taught enrichment classes at Central Virginia Community College.
