TREENA MIELKE/Rimbey Review
For as long as she can remember, Amy Mayner has wanted to be a veterinarian.
The 21-year-old Bluffton native has a natural affinity for animals that began when she would tag along with her parents when they went to visit the vet.
“I remember going into the Rimbey vet clinic before I could see over the counter and asking what it was like to be a vet,” she said.
Now in her final year of studies at the University of Alberta where she is enrolled in a bachelor of science in agriculture program, majoring in animal science, Mayner still has a dream of being a vet.
Once she has completed her studies at the University of Alberta, she plans to take the four-year veterinarian program to allow her dream to become a reality.
“I want to eventually have a rural practice and work with mixed animals,” she said.
Now, employed at the Lacombe Research Station for the summer where she is assisting with pasture management research, she is happy to be home.
“I found it hard to go back to the city as it’s calving season. When someone asks me what my favorite season is, I say it’s calving season for sure,” she added with a smile.
Mayner’s dedication to her studies and her commitment to helping others in a similar field were, no doubt, determining factors which led her to be one of the recipients of the 2010 Leaders in Agriculture Award.
The $4,000 award sponsored by Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, the 4-H Foundation of Alberta and the University of Alberta is given to students based on their outstanding community involvement and academic achievements in the agriculture field.
Mayner, who is a member of the agricultural club at the university, as well as the judging club and pre-vet club, is pleased to receive the award that she will use to further her studies next year.
Working with others in her field is satisfying for the Bluffton native.
“I enjoy being involved with 4-H and working with the kids. Sharing my knowledge and giving back to 4-H is very important to me. I gained a lot from 4-H and it’s good to be able to give some of that back.”
Mayner, the daughter of Rodney and Ann, grew up on a farm where her parents raised cattle. Her background, no doubt, was instrumental in determining her own direction in life.
“I like working with cattle and cows are my favorite,” she said.
This year she plans to take steers to the Calgary Stampede to show in the UFA Steer Classic.
She has taken animals to the Stampede for the last two years, winning first in class each year.
Growing up in rural Alberta has been wonderful, said Mayner, adding that she always looks forward to coming home.
“It’s really great that I live in a community like Rimbey,” she said. “I have so many people supporting me. Hopefully I’m successful in meeting my goals.”