VMCVM Staff Spotlight: Morgan Sowers

Morgan Sowers

Equine Field Service Technician in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences

When did you join the veterinary college?
I started working part-time at Virginia Tech's riding lesson barn (Campbell) over the summers from 2016-2018. Then I became full-time on Equine Field Service in January 2022 after graduating from Bridgewater College.

What is your role at the veterinary college?
I am an Equine Field Service Technician.

The best part of being at VMCVM...
I have enjoyed getting to learn and grow as a technician because we do not always see the same cases every day. I have learned a lot working alongside the Equine Field Service team.

Best advice I've gotten...
That I am enough, even on the hard days; do not give up; tomorrow is a new day!

My hidden talent...
I am not sure if this is a talent, but I have a knack for staying positive and always getting things done even when things around us are stressful.

Morgan's positivity (as well as our other technician) helps our team flourish and be successful. - From Amy Santonastaso, VMD

A person who has inspired me...
My mother. She has always pushed me to be the best woman I can be.

Can you share a memorable experience or story from your time working with animals?
The journey I am currently on with my own horse that I have trained to get my USDF Bronze medal. It has been a fun journey growing with and training him.

What do you find most inspiring or fulfilling about working with students and helping them pursue their careers?
Watching them grow and open up to us. They become much more comfortable around horses and I believe our impact on them has allowed a few of them to branch out more and become mixed animal vets and not just small animal vets.

One misconception that all students seem to have is?
A lot of students believe all horses are mean, but sometimes you have to read the horse's personality and body language, which I believe the students begin to learn and understand this the longer they are on this rotation.

If I had a superpower, it would be...
Super strength; more specifically; The ability to carry/lift 100 square bales - feeding the horses would be so easy!!!!

If you could magically grant an animal the ability to talk, which one would you choose and what do you think it would say?
My bottle calf, Dally. His mother passed away so I raised him, I would love to know what he thinks of his life, haha.

A cause I'm most passionate about...
Responsible animal ownership and welfare.
If more people did not "backyard breed", we could almost empty shelters and stop animal abuse by not allowing animals big and small into the wrong hands.
Also supporting some Equine Rescues who do it for the love of the horse; not for profit.

Favorite way to end the day...
I enjoy in the summer getting to go on a trail ride around our property after work on one of my horses.
In the cooler months, it is nice to go home and relax with the dogs with an ice cold Dr Pepper..

Top of my bucket list...
To ride a horse or mule in the Grand Canyon.

My favorite quote...
My favorite quote is also my favorite Bible verse; which is Mark 10:27.
"With man this is impossible, but not with God, all things are possible with God."

How many pets/animals live at home? Can you tell us about them?
I have 3 horses; Duke (He is my Dressage show horse), Lonesome (older cow horse, enjoys trail rides and giving younger kids riding lessons), Wyatt (one-eyed Quarter horse who is young and a very good boy)
I have 2 dogs, 2 blue Heelers, One is Willa and One is Frankie. Frankie is deaf and is the best dog to have around, she is my best friend. Willa is a typical heeler....if you have one, you know. haha.
We also have a lot of cattle on our property. We breed, raise, and sell Angus cross cattle.