Aims Community College Animal Science students placed third in the undergraduate junior division at the 2025 American Veterinary Medical Association Animal Welfare Assessment Contest held last month at Texas A&M University.
Aims Agriculture Students Place in International Animal Welfare Contest
December 15, 2025
This is the second time an Aims team has been among the top-placing groups, following Aims' fifth-place finish in 2024. It is the fourth time that the school has participated in the competition.
Aims was the only associate degree program to compete in this event, facing off against four-year universities and international teams. Agricultural Sciences and Technology Department Chair Amy McFarland emphasized the significance of the achievement, noting, “The fact that our students placed as the only two-year college in an international competition shows the exceptional quality of education they receive at Aims.”
The Aims team showcased their skills by employing science-based methods to assess animal welfare across a diverse range of species, including farm-raised tilapia, pet gerbils, snakes in a zoo and dressage horses. The contest used both live and computerized scenarios for students to assess the health of the animal and then defend their reasoning.
Throughout the fall semester, students participated in weekly practice sessions that focused on independent research, scenario analysis and oral presentations. Students also engaged in hands-on experiences, including field trips to facilities like the CU Anschutz lab and guest lectures from industry professionals in aquaculture. They grew skills in collaboration, managing high-pressure situations and effective communication.
Professor Amy McFarland and instructor Tammy Schneider coached the students, who each earned their entry to the national competition through an internal selection process. The team that placed third included the following Aims students: James Barrera, Abby Flores, Isabel Garcia, Avery Loveland and Zoey Snyder. A second team also competed, featuring students Tayen Albrandt, Rowen Ben-Joseph, Morgan Crawford, Scott Steagall and Halle Vilhauer.
“Competing so well at this high level attests to the rigor of our Agricultural Sciences program and the tremendous dedication of our students and faculty,” said Aims Academic Dean for Business and Technology Jim Vernon.
Learn more about Aims programs at aims.co/agriculture.
