The Veterinary and Animal Sciences Department Peer Advisors hold weekly drop-in office hours to provide support, information, mentoring, and a sense of community for other undergraduate majors in VASCI. Animal Science Peer Advisors have received training in department curriculum, academic procedures and policies, academic enrichment, non-academic resources, and referrals for personal concerns and emergencies. Office hours are held in the Integrated Sciences Building - ISB in the Reception Area adjacent to 427X and 427U. Fall 2024 semester hours will be Mondays 1:25-2:15pm, Tuesdays 2:30-3:45pm, and Thursdays 2:30-3:45pm.
All peer advisors can help with basic questions, for example, the requirements of the different Animal Science concentrations, the Pre-Vet major requirements, changing to the Pre-Vet major, using Spire, GenEds, etc. They can also discuss their experiences with courses, internships, applications, and other activities. However, questions on more advanced courses in Animal Science and Pre-Veterinary Science may be better directed to the advising office or a faculty advisor.
We invite undergraduates to meet with Peer Advisors who have experience in their potential areas of interest.
For additional information, please contact Dr. Katie Beltaire.
Meet our peer advisors:
My name is Julia and I am a senior Pre-Veterinary Science major and a member of the Commonwealth Honors College. I am applying to veterinary schools this cycle and would like to go on to specialize in small animal internal medicine. I am a veterinary assistant at a companion and exotics hospital, and I have been part of this incredible team for the past five years. Previously, I shadowed at an equine practice that works with the racehorses at Belmont Park and I worked for a group that provides animal assisted therapy. My passion for research led me to the Pobezinsky lab in the VASCI department, where I work with PhD students to look at mechanisms surrounding the maturation and differentiation of T cells. I am very grateful for the opportunity to be a VASCI peer advisor and I can't wait to meet everyone!
My name is Carol Ann Perry, and I am a senior Pre-Vet student. I am applying to vet schools this cycle, and I have been a veterinary assistant (now technician!) at a small animal clinic for over three years. At UMass I have been a member of various club sports including golf and gymnastics. I am also involved in research in the Mager Lab, where we are studying Knock-out Mice and the effects of these missing genes on preimplantation development. I am looking forward to being a peer advisor and helping students navigate their academics and general life at UMass. Having taken a medical year leave of absence and learned the ropes with university administration, I am eager to offer my support and advice. I am always around for assistance or even just a chat. The only stupid question is the one unasked!
My name is Lianna and I am a senior pre-vet major with a minor in natural resource conservation.
During the school year I work at the Hadley Livestock Farm, helping to take care of the sheep, goats, and the sow. I serve as a student herd advisor for the Goat Management class where I work closely with the teaching team to design the course material and assist with the kidding season. I’m also involved with research on campus; I was a senior lab assistant in the Warren/Lerman lab working at the intersection of ornithology and citizen science, and am currently working with the Rich lab/NEWVEC developing methods of tick reduction in wild white-tailed deer populations. During the winter and summer breaks I work as a vet assistant at a local small animal clinic, shadow an exotics vet, and ride along at an equine practice. Over the past several summers, I’ve enjoyed a wide variety of opportunities including volunteering at the Pittsburgh Zoo and interning at the National Aviary and Cape Wildlife Center. Please reach out with any questions!
My name is Ethan Dixon and I am a senior planning to graduate with a dual degree in Pre-Vet and STEM-German. I have wanted to be a veterinarian since I was three years old, and my parents can attest that my dream has never wavered. I’ve recently gained experience working in a small animal hospital, but my goal is to become a zoo veterinarian, where I hope to work with large exotics. I’m in the process of applying to vet school (wish me luck) and will be patiently awaiting a response as the semester rolls on. Apart from school, I like hanging out with friends, snowboarding, and playing electric guitar and bass. This will be my second year as a VASCI peer advisor, and I am very excited because I enjoy helping others! I will be more than happy to answer any questions or chat, so please reach out and come to our office hours. I look forward to meeting you all!
Howdy! My name is Courtney Rowland! I am a senior Animal Management major and I am also a researcher in a neuroscience lab (Vazey Lab). I am also an athlete on the University of Massachusetts Amherst track team. Since I was a child, I have always loved animals and knew I wanted to be hands-on in my future career. I am interested in working for the USDA in the future, more specifically farm inspections! The VASCI Peer Advising program is amazing and I am so excited to be an advisor! I will be able to help students with time management skills, study skills, choosing classes to fulfill requirements (and minors!) and other program specific questions. I am happy to offer my support or just talk to anyone who wants to stop by! Please feel free to reach out!
Hi, my name is Kiernan Hjalmarson and I’m a Junior on the Pre-Vet track! I have a passion for animals that started at a very young age from my pets and visiting our local zoo. More specifically, I have an interest in wildlife, large animal, and radiology. I have been volunteering at the animal shelter in my area and have enjoyed supporting their mission. In my free time, I play hockey and have been coaching for over 4 years. When I feel like staying in, I enjoy crocheting, a good cup of coffee, and a movie. I’m here for anything from missing home to needing guidance with classes to any questions that you may have. Please feel free to reach out! I look forward to meeting you!
My name is Sherly Gomerez, and I am an Animal Science major with a concentration in Animal Management. After I graduate from UMass, I hope to attend veterinary school and pursue a career in mixed or large animal medicine. During my time at UMass, I have worked as a Resident Assistant in Emerson Hall, and currently, I work at the UMass Livestock Barn. I also serve as a Teaching Assistant for the Sheep Management class during the school year. In addition to my campus roles, I’m a volunteer firefighter with the Amherst Fire Department. I’m thrilled to serve as a peer advisor this year—please feel free to reach out with any questions! I’m looking forward to meeting you all!
Hello! My name is Lily Smith, and I am a senior Pre-Veterinary major with a strong passion for large animal medicine, as well as public health. Over the past five semesters, I’ve had the privilege of working at the UMass Hadley Livestock Barn, where I’ve gained hands-on experience with our teaching herd and flock. I have also had the opportunity to serve as a Teaching Assistant for both Animal Science 101 and 103. Back home, I work as a veterinary assistant and kennel technician for cats and dogs boarding at a small animal clinic. Outside of the hospital, I have spent the last five years waitressing at a diner in my hometown. I am eager to be a VASCI peer advisor, so I can be not only a mentor, but a friend as well!
My name is Catherine Bezio and I am a senior animal science major. I am applying to veterinary schools and hope to practice equine medicine in the future. I have worked with veterinarians throughout my undergraduate career as well as working at a horse farm. I recently returned from a spring semester internship at a thoroughbred breeding farm in Kentucky. I am a teaching assistant for the equine management class and very excited to be back on campus this fall. I am a commuter student and have several pets at home and they fill most of my free time. I’m very excited to be a peer mentor this year and feel free to reach out with any questions!
My name is Victoria Larson. I am a Junior pre-veterinary major. I currently have two cats of my own and two sugar gliders. I have been working in veterinary clinics since junior year of my high school career and have been in love with the veterinary field since I was little. Growing up I would go to a summer camp and take care of horses and then I continued to work with animals by going to an agricultural and technical high school that had a farm on campus and a veterinary science program. I learned how to take care of different livestock and got more familiar with small animals as well. I was a TA for animal science 101 and 103 at UMass my sophomore year and helped deliver a lamb during lambing season. UMass has so many opportunities to get engaged in the animal world in many different ways and I am excited to help others navigate it as a VASCI Peer Advisor. Looking forward to the year to come.
My name is Sarah and I’m a Junior Pre-Veterinary Science Major. I hope to go to veterinary school after I graduate and study to become a zoo veterinarian. I interned at Brookfield Zoo in Chicago for a summer where I worked with a wide variety of animals. This past summer I studied veterinary medicine through Loop Abroad in South Africa. While I was home during the summer I got veterinary clinic experience and volunteered at my local animal shelter. I’d love to share more about any of these experiences! At UMass, I will be an organic chemistry PLTL tutor this semester. Additionally, I take American Sign Language classes at UMass which I really enjoy. I’m so excited to be a VASCI Peer Advisor and I’m happy to answer any questions. I can't wait to meet everyone!