SAS Student Spotlight: Daniela Garcia Llanos

Daniela Garcia Llanos

Major: Animal and Poultry Sciences with a double emphasis in equine and companion animal
Hometown: Manassas, Virginia

After graduation: 
I hope to go into the thoroughbred industry in the fall and have an intership through the Kentucky Equine Management Internship program at the start of next year. I caught a huge interest in the racehorse industry two years ago due to a student trip to Fasig-Tipton yearling sale, and I've been very passionate on pursuing this industry since. My goal is to eventually get to Lexington, Kentucky and work with thoroughbreds.

I was a member of: 

the Collegiate Horseman Association. This club gave so many opportunities to students to experience the reproduction of broodmares and the after care of their foals. It's like nothing I've ever experienced, and it's ultimately what helped me decided where I wanted to take my career. Two other clubs I was able to be a part of were Latin Link and Latino Association of Student Organizations. These clubs helped me so much as a Hispanic student trying to find my way on campus. I wanted a place that felt like home, and that's what they gave me.

I also worked as: 
a volunteer in the equine volunteer program, which was where my love for horses began. Besides animals, I like to involve myself in intramural sports with my friends. It's a really nice release of stress, especially during busy school weeks.

My biggest achievement is: 
where I am with horse experience for having first touched a horse my first year of college. I was given so many opportunities and experiences because of Natalie Duncan, our barn manager. She was a huge part of why I was able to even know what I truly wanted to do with my life, and that wasn't until two years ago.  

My favorite fun fact: 
has to be how helpful students can be because we are all going through a lot of school stress. I like how I was able to find my community here, a place that felt like home.

My favorite VT memory: 
is when I went abroad to Germany for two and a half weeks. It was unlike any experience I've ever had in my life. The sights and the knowledge were all so beautiful. Half the time I couldn't believe this was real life, I was able to learn so much from a different industry perspective which was so very cool. We got to see so many people and horses, which gave me a real glimpse in the European horse industry.

Some music that defines my time at Virginia Tech: 
Don't Stop Believin' by Journey

The thing I am most excited for in the future is: 
to be able to help so many animals in different places. My hope is to foster dogs when I graduate and give rescues another chance at life. I remember it's all I wanted to do as a little girl, so I hope to be able to fulfill that dream.

My advice to incoming freshman is:
enjoy every single moment of college. Take every opportunity presented, every chance you can get. If I knew how fast time would go I wish I did more and enjoyed the little things. Even with all the bad that came with the good. I wish I enjoyed more moments but I am so grateful for everything Tech has given me in my time here.

By: Kiera Porter, School of Animal Sciences Communications Intern