Gabby comforting a goat in discomfort.
This summer was more than an academic requirement for Gabby Williams; it was 320 hours dedicated to an organization where she found purpose. Williams was eager to study Agricultural Business Management at the Institute of Applied Agriculture in Fall 2018 with the intentions of starting her own business committed to rescuing animals. In order to determine the practicality of this, she interned with Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary.
Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary is a non-profit refuge in Poolesville, Maryland for farm animals and wildlife. Williams was piled with tasks when she arrived at the sanctuary, averaging more than 30 hours a week all summer. She enjoyed all the newfound responsibilities she was given. For instance, she was instructed to give intramuscular shots to pigs. This opportunity to learn how to treat an animal that needed her help was thrilling. In addition to intramuscular shots, she provided medicine to different animals at the sanctuary. Williams tended to pigs that had arthritis pain due to the increase of their lifespan. Williams welcomed this experience, as she has learned different behaviors of animals through these practices and now feels confident in determining the cause of an animal's pain or discomfort.
Williams internship advisor, Heather McHale, witnessed this as well during her internship site visit saying, “She administered medications, helped to provide specific care for particular animals, and worked with the rest of the staff to make sure that the various animals could live together harmoniously.”
Overall, Williams enjoyed working with the animals by getting to know them and gaining back their trust. She found that the animals were familiar to her company. Williams noted the difference between the animals interacting with each other and how they interacted with her saying, “The pigs and goats would play and roughhouse with each other, but with me they would be loving and gentle.”
Williams found purpose while interning with the Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary. Her time with them gave her a better understanding of how to run a sanctuary. Moreover, it confirmed her desire to start her own sanctuary. Williams anticipates she will work with Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary more in the future. But for now, she will continue her education in how to better apply what she learns in school to her workplace.
