Grace Covan, Class of 2027
Highlighting the incredible summer experiences of our College of Veterinary Medicine students.
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This summer, Grace Covan, DVM student at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, put her passion for large animal medicine into action. Originally from Honea Path, South Carolina, Grace participated in the Summer Veterinary Externship at the ST Genetics Ohio Heifer Center—a six-week immersive experience designed for veterinary students who are pursuing a career in bovine medicine or reproduction. 
Located in central Ohio, the Ohio Heifer Center is a research-oriented dairy facility operated by STgenetics, a global leader in livestock reproductive technologies. Known for helping breeders maximize herd productivity through advanced artificial insemination techniques, STgenetics provides externs with access to over 6,000 animals—from calves to lactating cows. Students in the program gain hands-on experience in pregnancy confirmation via ultrasound, calf health diagnosis and treatment, calving assistance, and more.
Grace’s daily rotation takes her through the veterinary team, maternity barn, and reproduction/IVF/embryo transfer barn. Mondays are spent evaluating and treating calves throughout the facility. On Tuesdays, she assists with difficult births in the maternity barn. Wednesdays begin with elective C-sections and transition to oocyte retrieval in the afternoon. Thursdays and Fridays are devoted to work with the reproduction team, collecting oocytes, transferring embryos, conducting pregnancy checks, and performing artificial insemination.
Throughout the externship, Grace has assisted with numerous procedures and pulled more calves than she can count. “I love being able to assist with C-sections!” she said. “I also love that I am hands-on every day.”
We are proud to see students like Grace gaining real-world, hands-on experience in reproductive health and large animal medicine. Her experience underscores our college’s commitment to training veterinarians who are well-prepared to meet the needs of our rural and agricultural communities.
