Ava Buckingham
I have been actively involved in 4-H for 5 years, gaining extensive hands-on experience working with a variety of animals including, dogs, chickens, light horses and draft horses. i have also owned and cared for dogs, cats, rabbits, and a hamster. Through these experiences I have developed strong animal care, handling, and responsibility skills.
I have owned five horses and currently care for one, giving me experience recognizing and managing injuries, working with veterinarians and administering medications. I am currently treating a horse for Lyme disease, which has further strengthened my knowledge of equine health and ongoing medical care. Additionally, i have taken in four severely underweight horses and developed weight management and rehabilitation programs to help them regain their health and condition through dedicated care and consistent management. I was able to restore their health, and I went on to show several of them at the county fair and various open shows.
I also have experience leading camp trail rides and public trail rides on horseback, which has helped develop my leadership, communication, and teamwork skills. I am passionate about animal welfare, enjoy working with others , and take pride in providing responsible, compassionate care while helping animals reach their full potential.
Work History
Pet Sitter
3 Years- Cleaned litter boxes, cages, and living areas to maintain sanitary conditions.
- Exercised dogs through walks, playtime, and supervised outdoor activity.
- Cleaned out and scooped litter trays and food and water bowls to provide a clean environment for pets.
Babysitter
4 Years- Supervised children during daily routines, ensuring safe play and consistent attention.
- Followed bedtime routines, including bathing, reading, and settling children for sleep.
- Prepared snacks and meals according to household instructions and dietary needs.
- Communicated clearly with parents about behavior, activities, and schedule updates.
- Responded calmly to minor conflicts, tears, and unexpected changes in routine.
- Played games, worked on puzzles, and read books to young children.
- Assisted with meal preparation, light housekeeping and laundry to support family with additional chores.
Wrangler for a barn
4 Years 9 Months- Supervised animal care routines, including feeding, watering, grooming, and stall cleanliness.
- Managed livestock handling, maintaining calm movement and safe positioning during daily barn operations.
- Coordinated corralling and loading tasks, reducing stress during transfers and transport preparation.
- Inspected pens, fencing, and equipment, addressing hazards before they disrupted operations.
- Responded quickly to unpredictable animal movements, ensuring safety for staff and livestock.
- Provided essential first aid treatment for injured horses, addressing health concerns promptly to minimize recovery time.
- Improved horse handling skills by implementing safe and effective techniques for daily care and training.
- Evaluated horse behavior patterns to develop tailored training strategies that improved overall performance levels.
- Enhanced guest experience with engaging trail rides, incorporating local history and wildlife information.
- Maintained cleanliness and safety of corrals and horse facilities.
- Demonstrated strong commitment to continuous learning by attending industry conferences, workshops, and training sessions in order to stay current on best practices and trends.
- Optimized the use of available resources by repurposing materials whenever possible to reduce waste without compromising quality standards.
- Assisted in the design of training programs to meet individual horse needs, promoting optimal performance levels.
- Managed inventory of tack, feed, and supplies to ensure availability for daily operations.
- Kept pens, stalls and farm equipment clean and sterilized to support animal wellbeing.
- Examined animals for signs of sickness and overall herd health.
4-H Member
4 Years 9 Months- Presented project work confidently during meetings, competitions, and community events.
- Maintained organized records for project progress, supplies, and completion requirements.
- Participated in 4-H projects, following guidelines and completing assigned activities accurately.
- Assisted with club activities, supporting event setup, cleanup, and member coordination.
- Practiced animal care, feeding, grooming, and daily monitoring for project livestock.
- Demonstrated responsibility by meeting deadlines, preparing materials, and completing tasks independently.
- Implemented hands-on learning opportunities with livestock management, enhancing real-world agricultural experience for members.
- Fed and watered animals to provide necessary nutrients and keep pets healthy.
- Cleaned animal enclosures to maintain clean living spaces for pets and prevent spread of disease.
- Kept animals clean and free of contaminants to promote optimal health.
- Herded livestock using horses or ranch ATVs.
- Documented animal growth, production costs, individual behaviors, feeding patterns and other data in daily logs and main database, noting trends, and identifying areas of concern.
Volunteer
4 Years 9 Months- Supported animal care routines, including feeding, watering, and stall upkeep
- Assisted with daily barn operations, maintaining clean, organized work areas
- Followed safety procedures while handling tools, supplies, and livestock areas
- Loaded, stocked, and moved feed, bedding, and equipment as needed
- Cleaned pens, aisles, and common areas to support hygiene and animal welfare
- Assisted with special events and programs.
- Supported engaging, fun, and smooth-running events by helping with organization and planning.
- Represented organization positively and professionally while providing community with much-needed services.
- Mentored new volunteers, fostering a supportive and inclusive team environment.
Camp counselor
2 Months- Supervised campers during daily activities, maintaining a safe, a structured environment.
- Supervised campers during daily activities, maintaining a safe, a structured environment.
- Monitored camper behavior and addressed conflicts using calm, consistent communication.
- Assisted with meal periods, transitions, and cleanup tasks to support smooth routines.
- Enforced safety rules and reported incidents promptly to camp leadership.
- Supported campers with encouragement, helping build confidence and participation.
- Worked with children of varying age, interest, skill, and developmental levels.
- Acted as a positive role model, demonstrating strong leadership skills and exemplifying the camp''s core values.
- Collaborated with fellow counselors to create memorable events that promoted teamwork and strengthened bonds among campers.
- Participated in regular staff meetings to discuss strategies for improvement in areas such as programming, behavior management, and staff training.
- Taught kids to properly groom, tack, use safe manners around the horses, ride, lead and use horse companionship.
Education
- Equine
- Certificate of Completion From The Equine Institute.
- Advanced Equine Nutriton - Digestive Health & GI Function.
Skills
Accomplishments
I placed 1st place in all my dog shows the year I took my lab to the county fair.
I have placed in many equine contesting and ranch shows at the 4H county level and open shows.
I have raised quility meat projects that sold at the jr county fair.
I started online courses through The Equine Institute and have earned one certificate thus far for Avanced Equine Nutrition - Digestive Health and GI Function.