Aims Community College Animal Science students placed fifth in the undergraduate junior division at the 2024 American Veterinary Medical Association Animal Welfare Assessment Contest held last month in Wisconsin.
Aims Community College Excels at National Animal Welfare Competition
December 18, 2024
Pictured from left to right: Amy McFarland, TJ Virgil, Ian Hartmann, Isabel Garcia, Maria Roman, Annie Boe and Tammy Schneider.
The Aims team showcased their skills by employing science-based methods to assess animal welfare across a diverse range of species, including dogs, dairy cows, frogs, and penguins. Attendees took part in educational tours, networking events, live and computerized scenarios, oral presentations of assessments, and an awards reception.
Agricultural Sciences and Technology Department Chair Amy McFarland emphasized the significance of the achievement, noting, “The fact that our students placed as the only two-year college in an international competition shows the exceptional quality of education they receive at Aims.” The community college placed among major four-year universities and international teams.
This is the first time an Aims team has been among the top-placing groups. It is the third time that the school has participated in the competition. The program was initiated by Tammy Schneider, a part-time instructor and certified veterinary technician, who brought awareness of the contest to Aims. Schneider participated in the individual professional category this year.
Participating student Ian Hartmann said, “Bringing back a trophy felt like being a football player — just for academics. I’m proud to show what we’re capable of.”
Student Hard Work Pays Off
Students in Aims Agriculture programs and the Ag Club were encouraged to participate in the contest. Due to Aims’ support of the program, students could attend this out-of-state conference at virtually no cost. “We’re fortunate that from the very beginning, we were able to run this through our department’s budget,” McFarland said. “This means there’s little to no financial commitment for the students, which opens access for many who might not be able to attend otherwise.”
Throughout the fall semester, students took part in weekly practice sessions focusing on independent research, scenario analysis, and oral presentations. Students also engaged in hands-on experiences, including field trips to facilities like the University of Colorado Anschutz’s research laboratory and guest lectures from industry professionals, such as a behavioral analyst from Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. They grew skills in collaboration, managing high-pressure situations and effective communication.
“The competition opened a new door for me in the animal welfare field, beyond what I initially imagined,” said Isabel Garcia, an Aims student who participated in the contest. “The competition isn’t just about learning animal science. It’s also about learning how to become a better adult — working under pressure, collaborating as a team, and analyzing information quickly and effectively.”
Maria Roman, an Aims Fall 2024 graduate, was glad she was part of the team. “Competing against four-year universities and being able to place as a two-year school shows how strong the program at Aims really is. It’s a great feeling to be part of that.” She added, “It was really cool to see animal welfare as a growing field that can be applied to any career I decide to pursue in animal science, whether it’s veterinary medicine or something else.”
Hartmann said that he gained both professional and personal skills being a part of this program. “This contest has helped me analyze how animals are doing in their environments. Even with my own pets, I’ve started rethinking their setups and care to make sure everything is the best it can be.”
Study Animal Science at Aims
Aims Community College's Animal Science program offers Associate of Science and Associate of Applied Science degrees and certificates. The program is headquartered on the Aims Fort Lupton Campus. It equips students with practical skills in livestock care, feeding, anatomy, and physiology. The curriculum includes hands-on learning opportunities and covers farm and ranch management, agricultural marketing, and animal science internships. Graduates are prepared for various roles in the agriculture industry, including livestock feed processing, sales, pharmaceuticals, and feedlot management. After completing the program, students can transfer to a university to complete a bachelor's degree and beyond. Learn more at aims.co/Animal-Science.
