Pat M. Comerford
- Extension Horse Specialist
- Instructor of Animal Science
- Undergraduate Adviser, Horses
308 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building
University Park, PA 16802
University Park, PA 16802
Email:
pxc26@psu.edu
Work Phone:
814-863-3657
Education
- PAS, Specialization: Horses, American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists
- M.S., Animal Science, Clemson University (Thesis topic: Equine Nutrition Supplemental Amino Acids and the Use of Chromic Oxide in Equine Rations)
- B.S., Animal Science with Minor in Environmental Science, Clemson University, (High Honors)
Interests:
-
Primary focus is youth equine extension (4-H) programs.
- Primary interests include safety education, horsemanship skills and applied production and mangement practices. Also work with adult equine extension programs and with undergraduate program in equine studies.
Extension Activities:
Youth Extension Programs - State 4-H Horse Program
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Direct and provide leadership for Pennsylvania 4-H horse program
involving over 7,600 youth and approximately 800 adult leaders
-
Develop, coordinate and conduct educational programs, horse shows,
judging contests, clinics and seminars including state 4-H horse show
with 1,500 entries, regional production shows with over 1,000 entries,
state 4-H Horse Forum, and 4-H Horse Judges School
-
Develop state 4-H
horse curriculum and reference materials for youth, leaders, and county
staff
-
Initiate and develop state 4-H horse safety education,
horsemanship skills, and horse show judges training programs
- Direct and coordinate activities of state 4-H horse program advisory and development committees
-
Provide technical expertise for youth and
adult 4-H leaders and volunteers on equine use, management practices,
4-H program policies and 4-H rules
-
Write and develop bi-monthly
newsletter and information packets for county staff and volunteers for
use throughout the state
-
Superintendent of Team Demonstration
(communication) Contest at Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup
- Serve on Pennsylvania 4-H Animal Science Curriculum Committee to develop and implement curriculum and educational programs for large animal youth programs
Adult Extension Horse Program
-
Serve as state extension horse specialist and direct and assist with
state extension horse programs for adults
-
Develop, direct and assist
with educational programs including Winning Ways horsemanship clinics
and Ag Progress Days Equine Educational Program
-
Initiated and
developed reproductive management seminars in cooperation with
veterinarians and pharmaceutical company representatives
-
Provide
technical expertise for adult clientele throughout the state on equine
use, production and management practices
-
Prepare and present
educational programs on equine use and management throughout the state
- Collaborate with equine industry groups and breed organizations
Undergraduate Education Activities
-
Taught undergraduate courses in introductory and advanced equine
production and management; currently assist with production,
merchandising, and equine industry issues and careers courses
-
Advise
and assist students in academic and career planning and job placement
-
Supervise students in independent study projects
-
Supervise student
presentations at national youth horse leader symposium and departmental
undergraduate seminars
-
Assist with development of curriculum and
course proposals
-
Recruit prospective students and promote
university's equine programs
-
Develop promotional displays and
materials for undergraduate programs
-
Serve on departmental horse
users, awards, and social committees
- Assist with planning and coordination of university horse sale with student participation
Current Activities:
Youth Extension Responsibilities
Major Youth Extension Programs
- PA 4-H Safety Program PA 4-H Horsemanship Skills Advancement Levels Program PA 4-H Judges Education Program PA 4-H Ethics Training Program
Major Youth Extension Events
-
PA 4-H Horse Forum
-
PA 4-H Horse Judges School
-
PA 4-H Regional Driving
Clinics
-
PA 4-H Regional Production Project Clinics
-
PA 4-H Regional
Reining Clinics
-
PA 4-H Horsemanship Skills Level Training Clinics
-
PA
4-H Regional Production Shows
-
PA State 4-H Horse Judging Contest
-
PA
State 4-H Hippology Contest
-
PA State 4-H Horse Bowl Contest
-
PA 4-H
Equine Skillathon PA State 4-H Competitive Trail Ride
-
PA State 4-H
Horse Show
- Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup AYHC National Youth Horse Leaders Symposium
Adult Extension Responsibilities
Major Adult Extension Events
-
Winning Ways Clinic
-
Ag Progress Days Equine Educational Program
-
PA 4-H Horse Forum
- PA 4-H Horse Judges School
Professional Service:
- American Youth Horse Council: Past President, Vice President and Secretary; safety manual co-author; developed membership brochure and AYHC promotional displays; Horse Industry Handbook advertising co-chair, chapter co-author and chapter reviewer; executive and membership committee
- Pennsylvania Equine Council: State Director; initiated and coordinate student participation in PEC activities for independent study credit; trail committee; assist with coordination of PEC Workday and Trails Symposium
- Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) Equine Health Committee: Interact with PDA and industry professionals on equine health and production and management practices
- Pennsylvania 4-H Horse Program Development Committee: Coordinate committee functions and subcommittees including curriculum, publications and project materials, 4-H projects and events, safety program, horse show rules, drugs and medications, and horsemanship skills
- Pennsylvania 4-H Horse Program Advisory Committee: Coordinate committee functions and subcommittees including curriculum, publications and project materials, 4-H projects and events, safety program, and horse show rules
- Pennsylvania Special Olympics: Coordinate trail events for riders with disabilities at statewide event
- Penn State West Nile Virus (WNV) Coordinating Committee: Cooperate with college extension faculty and staff to provide information on WNV to clientele throughout Pennsylvania
- American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) 4-H Task Force Identify and consider opportunities for collaborative youth horse curriculum and programs for youth in 4-H and American Quarter Horse Youth Association (AQHYA)
Membership in Professional Societies:
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American Youth Horse Council
-
American Horse Council
-
Pennsylvania Equine
Council
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Equine Nutrition and Physiology Society
-
American Registry of
Professional Animal Scientists
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American Quarter Horse Association
-
Pennsylvania Quarter Horse Association
-
USA Equestrian Alpha Zeta
Honorary Agricultural Fraternity
- Gamma Sigma Delta Agricultural Society
Professional Experience
1987-1991 Self-employed Boarding Stable Manager Warrior's Mark, Pennsylvania
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Managed horse boarding facility with 6-8 horses
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Provided daily
care, maintenance, and supervision of horses and facility
-
Provided
nutritional supervision of horses and consultation with owners
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Coordinated health care with veterinarian and clients
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Provided daily
"lay up" care of sick and injured horses
- Conducted educational programs on equine nutrition and management for local horse groups
1984 - 1987 Veterinary Teaching Technician University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine Athens, Georgia
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Supervised and instructed senior veterinary and veterinary technician
students in anesthesia procedures and techniques
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Revised and edited
tests and teaching materials
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Maintained medication, supply and
equipment inventories
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Coordinated hospital anesthesia schedules with
surgeons and students
- Anesthetized and monitored veterinary patients
1979 - 1984 Instructor of Animal Science Northeast Missouri State University Kirksville, Missouri
-
Taught undergraduate courses in introductory equine studies, horse
production and management, ration formulation, introductory animal
science, livestock judging, and senior agricultural seminar
-
Advised
and assisted students in academic and career planning and job placement
-
Developed curriculum and course proposals for equine studies program
-
Coordinated equine studies program
-
Worked with local producers to
incorporate student’s projects into horse farm operations
-
Prepared
plans for development of university farm and equine facilities
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Served
as faculty advisor to Horse and Rodeo Club and Collegiate 4-H Club
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Coordinated workshops and short courses
- Coordinated regional FFA livestock contests
1978-1979 Assistant County Supervisor Farmers Home Administration Macon, Missouri
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Assisted farmers in enterprise planning for farm operating and real
estate loans
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Evaluated loan applications
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Developed cash flow
statements and balance sheet information
- Conducted on-farm consultations with farmers to discuss operating plans and budgets
1976-1978 Graduate Research Assistant Department of Animal Science Clemson University Clemson, South Carolina
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Assistant instructor of livestock judging
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Prepared slides, tapes,
and other teaching materials for undergraduate animal science courses
-
Conducted equine nutrition research in amino acid metabolism with
digestion trials of ponies
-
Performed proximate analysis and other
chemical analyses for research project
-
Started young horses working
cattle
- Rode horses to work cattle for artificial insemination projects
Awards
- Partner in Safety Award from Certified Horsemanship Association for AYHC publication, Start with Safety: Horse Safety Guidelines (co-author with Tim Potter)
- Equine Educator of the Year Award from American Association for Horsemanship Safety, for leadership and innovative endeavors in superior horse safety educational materials
- Northeast Extension Directors Award of Excellence Honorable Mention for West Nile Virus outreach program (member of College of Agricultural Sciences West Nile Virus Coordinating Committee)
- Ayer-Hammett Award from American Medical Equestrian Association, for outstanding leadership in equestrian safety education
