The Animal Veterinary Science curriculum at the University of Maine is a rigorous 4 years that only the students who are up for challenges and have big goals continue to pursue and succeed in. Juggling the intense science courses with chores that we must complete for our hands on courses is something that no other student in any other major can relate to. As I’ve had to push myself to and beyond my breaking point in order to succeed in some of the hardest points in my life, I have realized in the last semester the comforting therapy of chores here at Witter.
Driving my truck down the farm road, as my clock reads 3:40 AM, my window half rolled down to get the chilly October morning air in my face and help wake me up as I attempt to mentally prepare for my long day ahead of me.
I have had drives to the farm where I am in complete tears, just struggling to make it through the day. Dragging myself to the barn on too little sleep and too much caffeine, chores have taught me the true meaning of pushing through. Sitting in parking lot I have had serious conversations with myself that I would not have spaced time out for otherwise.
Cleaning the calf barn with the noises of day old calves attempting to figure out their legs and older ones munching on hay, I can escape reality for 45 minutes and be comforted by these adorable creatures.
I am a sucker for calves, and I think pretty much everyone on earth can attest to the fact that newborns are probably the cutest things ever. Struggling to get out an official “moo”, learning to use those awkward 4 legs, and frolicking around in their pen they are perfect entertainment as I make my way through the barn cleaning. I finish graining them all and begin to sweep the barn and realize my mind hasn’t thought about the stressors in my life it had been fixated on before starting here. These calves serve as the perfect temporary distraction from life when I need it the most.
Scraping back each cow’s stalls , one after another, manure and shavings being pulled away to be replaced with new shavings I have had the quiet alone that I sometimes do not get for days on end.
I almost always choose to clean beds because most people think it’s a tad on the boring side and because it is a satisfying job to me. Completing this job, I have had the opportunity to make critical decisions in my life as I move further down the barn, cleaning the next stall. I have conversations with myself about the serious worries on my mind and possible solutions as the number of cleaned beds increase. As I make my way to the end of the barn I feel a sense of satisfaction both mentally and physically.
As the milking units get attached to the system and cows begin to start getting milked, now is when the magic happens. The cyclical pattern of the noise the machines make, mixed with the random “HEY” as someone attempts to kick their machine off is the sound of milking time.
Milking takes about an hour and a half but some days cows love to be a little spontaneous and lengthen that out. Each cow has her own personality and tendencies, some of them naughty and some of them angelic. There really is no better self confidence boost then prepping and milking a cow that can be a handful and successfully handling her well. I love moments like these because it reminds yourself that “Yeah, I am a bad-ass and this cow is nothing for me”. The satisfaction as we move further down the barn and suddenly we are down to 4. Now 3. 2. And then 1 cow left to be milked. It gives you a sense of determination that can be hard to come by some days.
Turning off the lights and walking down the barn one last time to make sure everyone is happy, I stop in front of one of my favorites, who is already lying down on her fresh bedding.
I bend down and give her her favorite chin rubs and she looks at me with her almond shaped, dark brown eyes. I scoot myself under her head and sit there for a second as she inhales and exhales enjoying my company as I enjoy hers. I close my eyes for a second, take a deep breath and just relax for a few minutes. Blue’s cuddles are unmatched and have seen me with tears in my eyes and at other times with a smile on my face. She makes leaving a little tougher, but my hungry stomach is telling me to eat something, please. As I leave the farm I begin to mentally prepare for the day, trying to organize my thoughts and my to-do list. I feel accomplished for having done this much before 8 AM, and determined to tackle the remaining to come by anywhere else. I love it here. 12 hours of my day. I realize this place offers a level of therapy and guidance that is really hard to come by anywhere else. I love it here.