Profiles

Where Books and Barn Life Meet

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Story By: Emma Zwank

Morgan Mineart ’26 grew up around animals. She showed goats through 4-H and FFA throughout her childhood and high school and watched her sister show horses. This sparked a lifelong passion for learning about animals and has developed into a desire to go to vet school. Mineart’s Central experience has prepared her for vet school after she graduates, both through the classes she has taken as a biology major, and most recently, through her internship.

Thanks to a connection made by Sara Shuger Fox, associate professor of kinesiology, Mineart is spending Summer 2025 interning with Grace Therapeutic Riding.

“I took sports nutrition with her this last spring, and I was telling her about how I want to stay in Pella for the summer,” Mineart says.

From there, Shuger Fox connected Mineart with Allison Van Wyngarden, the founder of Grace Therapeutic, and she hasn’t looked back.

Mineart’s internship at Grace has given her further insight into how to care for different kinds of animals, especially large animals like horses.

“My main role so far has been working with the horses,” Mineart explains. “We have a couple of horses with navicular (inflammation or degeneration of the navicular bone). I’ve been working with Allison taking them to different vets and doing some hydrotherapy here at the barn.”

Mineart has also observed the horses working with their patients. She explains, “They’re trained to work with kids with special needs, and my role is to make sure they’re on the top of their game, listening to us and just being in tune with them.”

This internship has strengthened Mineart’s desire to pursue veterinary medicine after graduation.

“I grew up with livestock and around animals,” Mineart shares. “I have always had a really strong connection with animals, and I’ve looked at other options that would be easier than me going to vet school for 4 years. But I’ve never wanted anything more and I’m not giving up.”

Mineart has developed a deep connection with many of the horses and other animals around the barn, including Spirit and Casper, a quarter gelding and miniature horse duo with sweet souls and a goofy friendship.

“My biggest thing I’ve learned here is the connection with your horse and your horse handling. They’re such beautiful creatures that God has given us to be able to help others. The connection that the kids have or with the older people who come ride here is something truly special.”

Mineart didn’t know internship opportunities like this were possible.

“I never thought I could have an internship that I enjoyed so much; it doesn’t feel like I’m going to work,” Mineart admits.

This internship would not have been possible without the connections Mineart has made at Central. Her mentor-mentee relationship with Shugar Fox led her to this internship, and her experience in biology helped immensely.

Mineart says these very connections, along with the connections she has made on the Central softball team, have been the best part of her Central experience.

“My favorite part of Central, other than being on the Central softball team is just the community I found here — through sports, classes and just meeting people walking to class,” Mineart says.

Central has a way of connecting students to lifetime friendships and lifelong opportunities; it sure did for Mineart. Wherever life takes her next, Mineart will carry her Central connections with her.

“It’s a community I didn’t have in high school. I have met my lifelong friends and people I will stay connected with my whole life,” Mineart adds.

 

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