MSU 4-H Animal & Veterinary Science Summer Camp

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY – 4-H
ANIMAL & VETERINARY SCIENCE CAMP

WIF was proud to partner with Mindfulness and S.T.E.A.M. Lab—an organization devoted to empowering young minds through the cultivation of self-esteem, mindfulness, and STEAM education—to deliver mindfulness training to high school students attending the 2024 edition of Michigan State University (MSU) – 4-H Animal & Veterinary Science Camp.

Mindfulness is an critical component of mental health for veterinarians, and WIF believes it is just as important to expose Black and Latinx youth interested in veterinary medicine to mindfulness as it is to expose them to role models in the field who look like them.

This year’s camp is the first to include mindfulness as part of the curriculum and the first to utilize the services of an organization external to MSU.

WIF is honored to have contributed to the camp in alignment with the mission and vision of our Youth Veterinarian Initiative (YVI).

DR. TORI ELLIS AND SHALTREECE CHANDLER

Camp Session 1 ran from July 8-9, 2024, and Camp Session 2 ran from July 10-11, 2024. 

Dr. Tori Ellis (Dr. T.) of Mindfulness and S.T.E.A.M. Lab and Shaltreece Chandler, WIF’s Development Volunteer, represented WIF at both sessions.  

Here’s how they introduced themselves during Camp Session 1.

CAMP ACTIVITIES

Participating students experienced two days of intense activity.

In addition to presentations on careers in animal science, zoo medicine, degree planning, and admission to MSU’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Veterinary Nursing program, and School of Veterinary Medicine, students toured the Clinical Skills Lab and participated in sessions that provided hands-on opportunities to perform wellness exams, injections, and piglet dissection.

Students participating in Camp Session 1 got to visit the Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, MI.  Currently home to over 160 species of animals, it is the oldest public zoo in Michigan.

Unfortunately, the zoo visit for Camp Session 2 was rained out.

MSU STAFF

As student group leaders, Dr. T. and Shal worked closely with MSU staff during both two-day sessions of the camp.

They had the pleasure of meeting 4-H Livestock and Veterinary Science Educator Autumn Converse, MSU Statewide Program Instructor Jermo Reese, and Veterinary Nurse/Techs Natalie Hamilton, Helen Mayer, and Monica Nestale.

MINDFULNESS PRACTICE

Dr. Tori Ellis led the students in a mindfulness practice lab for three of the four days that camp was held.  She based the interactive portion of the lab on the use of crystal bowls tuned to 432 Hz, the frequency of love.

Dr. T. demonstrated sound bowl healing and then invited students to come forward and activate them.

ONE-ON-ONE MINDFULNESS INTERACTIONS

Dr. T.’s delivery of the mindfulness sessions and demonstration of the sound bowls struck a powerful chord with the students.  They inspired three young women participants to interact with her on an individual basis.

Maya Murphy (who is wearing the green sweatshirt in the images below) approached Dr. T. to say that she wasn’t sure about the meditative processes she was currently using.  She said she found Dr. T’s presentation and demonstration of the sound bowls very helpful and confessed to feeling overwhelmed by things.

Dr. T. invited Maya to walk and talk as they discussed Maya’s concerns.  While Maya did not go into detail, she said she appreciated the opportunity to talk with Dr. T.

Reounna Dyas‘ mom approached Dr. T. at the beginning of the first day of camp and posed questions about the student group that her daughter would be joining over the course of the two-day event.  This brought Reounna to Dr. T’s attention, so she observed Reounna (who is wearing the grey sweatshirt in the images below) for the first half-day of the camp.

Watching Reounna self-isolate during the morning sessions, Dr. T. sat with her during the first lecture after lunch that day.  She noted that Reounna was quiet until she felt comfortable, after which time she let her true personality show.  They talked, and Dr. T. told her that they could have lunch together the following day.

Dr. T. and Shal Chandler learned that Reounna is an excellent student and is eligible for a grant that will allow her to attend college at no charge.  They encouraged her to tell Autumn Converse about this, which she did.  Shal, Autumn, and Jermo Reese have committed to helping Reounna navigate the application process.

Kya Heinrich (who is wearing the maroon sweatshirt in the images below) sent Dr. T. a text message to say she was dealing with life changes that began about a month ago and felt comfortable enough to share them.  She did not wish to interact with Dr. T. in person, but appreciated the opportunity to communicate virtually and to seek advice.

After going through the appropriate channels, Dr. T. counseled Kya to do deep breathing during times of stress, journal once a day, find time to engage in a hobby for one hour a week, and listen to a meditation recording.

INVITATION TO RETURN

By the end of Camp Session 1, WIF had been invited to return to East Lansing to participate in the 2025 MSU 4-H Animal and Veterinary Science Camp.

By the end of Camp Session 2, we had been invited to participate in the MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences) conference for Region IV/V in St. Louis, MO in October 2024.

A few days later, we were also invited to participate in the National MANRRS conference in Memphis, TN in April 2025.

The MANRRS Pre-College Initiative Program provides opportunities for youth in grades 7-12 to grow in academic, professional, and leadership skills in order to maximize their success in life.

We look forward to expanding the influence and impact of our Youth Veterinarian Initiative through this exciting new collaboration!