By Scout Nelson
Amiah LaFrinier, a biology major on the pre-veterinary track at the University of Minnesota Morris, has strengthened her commitment to a veterinary career through a swine research internship at the West Central Research and Outreach Center (WCROC). The hands-on experience provided valuable exposure to animal care, research, and livestock management.
After spending the summer at WCROC, LaFrinier became more confident in her goal of pursuing veterinary medicine. The internship also sparked her interest in mixed-animal practice, allowing her to gain experience with both large and small animals.
Seeking practical veterinary experience, LaFrinier applied for the swine research internship to expand her knowledge of livestock care. In addition to working with pigs, she also gained exposure to dairy cattle, broadening her understanding of animal agriculture.
The internship's primary research project focused on reducing tail-biting behavior in pigs. LaFrinier and another student monitored pig behavior in multiple pens, studying whether environmental enrichment tools, such as ropes, could help decrease stress-related behaviors and improve animal welfare.
While conducting the research, the students worked closely with Yuzhi Li, a swine behavior and welfare specialist at WCROC. Regular meetings with faculty mentors helped guide the project and support data collection and analysis efforts.
A major highlight of the internship was participating in graduate-level research as an undergraduate student. LaFrinier and her fellow intern coauthored an abstract for submission to the American Society of Animal Science, gaining valuable experience in scientific research and communication.
Beyond research, LaFrinier developed practical veterinary skills through activities such as ear tagging, breeding assistance, and administering vaccinations. These experiences provided direct insight into the medical procedures commonly performed in veterinary practice.
The internship helped strengthen both her technical abilities and professional confidence. Through her work at WCROC, LaFrinier gained a clearer understanding of her future career path and confirmed her interest in veterinary medicine, particularly within a mixed-animal practice setting.
Photo Credit: istock-srdjan-stepic
Categories: Minnesota, Education, Livestock