Have you ever taken a class that felt like it was designed just for you? For Abby T. ’25, that moment came during her NextTerm course, Paws, Hooves, and Healing: Exploring Animal-Assisted Service and Therapy. As a lifelong animal lover and aspiring veterinarian, the course was a perfect fit, and provided Abby insight into the therapeutic benefits of animal-human interaction. For three weeks, Abby and her classmates explored the science behind animal-assisted therapy, working with a variety of animals and traveling to training centers across the state. They studied the vigorous training that makes an interaction truly therapeutic, examined the regulations of animal therapy centers, and collected data on the profound benefits of animal-assisted service. Animals have always been central to Abby’s life. Growing up, Abby jokes that her mom let her have any pet she wanted — besides a cat or dog. Instead, she raised goats, turtles, horses, and no less than twenty chickens at a time: “Between taking care of so many animals myself and working at a nearby vet clinic for several years, I’ve always been on the medical side of things where I see how humans help animals. After taking my NextTerm class, I now realize that the relationship between humans and animals is far from one-sided, and animals help humans just as much, if not more.” (fb)

How and why are National Parks essential to the American experience, and what role do we play in their stewardship and legacy? That's the essential question Amelia R. '25 explored while taking the NextTerm course Into the Open Spaces: America's National Park Experience last spring. She and her classmates traveled to Mesa Verde, Canyonlands, Yellowstone, Arches, and Grand Teton National Parks, learning about everything from wildlife conservation and the stars to the history of ancient cultures and geology as they literally hiked their way to a better understanding, then shared that knowledge with the Hun community during their immersive NextPo presentation. "I think my biggest takeaway was to always look behind the scenes when you go to these parks and ... just notice why it's so important to have these parks." See more of the adventure: (fb)