Laura Archer's enthusiasm for animal welfare earned her an internship with Alberta Farm Animal Care (AFAC).

As a recipient of AFAC's Livestock Care Educator Internship, the first-year Lakeland College animal health technology student will bring public awareness to animal agriculture, animal care and on-farm welfare.

“I'm excited because I get to talk to the public about the industry and animal welfare. I find animals fascinating, especially how they think and work. Animals do a lot for us - we use them for food, clothing and companionship - and I think we owe it to them to treat them right,” says Archer, of Mossbank, Sask.

As a Livestock Care Educator intern, Archer will engage with the public at a variety of events, including the Mane Event in Red Deer in April and the Calgary Stampede in July. She is required to complete 56 volunteer hours by August 1.

“I'm looking forward to meeting tons of people and sharing Alberta Farm Animal Care's message,” she says.

To qualify for the internship, Archer had to possess knowledge of farming and farm animal care practices, be an approachable and personable individual, and have the ability to speak confidently to the public. She says Lakeland has played a huge part in fueling her passion for animal welfare and behaviour.

“I am currently in a program where I am able to bring my love for animals to the table and help them, as well as learn about their behaviours and how they can be treated in a way that supports their welfare. I am also lucky to have the opportunity to get to know my instructors, which is why I am an intern for AFAC,” says Archer, adding her Lakeland instructors are extremely helpful. 

“Whether it be answering questions about tests, labs or sending information about things you're interested in, my instructors are incredible. For these reasons Lakeland College is one of my favourite schools and I look forward to continuing my education here.”

Prior to attending Lakeland, Archer earned a degree in animal science at the University of Saskatchewan in 2017. Archer says Temple Grandin, an American professor of animal science, and Jane Goodall, an English primatologist and anthropologist, as well as her university and college instructors, inspired her passion for animal welfare and behaviour.

“Throughout my education, I had this intense focus for animal care and welfare and I had great professors that pushed me in that direction. I applied for the internship with the thought that many people do not know about the animal industry, and I could be the one to educate them.”

Archer says she is looking forward to fulfilling the internship position and hopes to work in an animal-related field during the summer before returning to Lakeland in the fall.