Mia Feola ’27 has always felt a calling to work with animals. This summer, she took a vital and illuminating step toward transforming that ambition into a fulfilling career. Feola, an animal behavior studies major, interned at the Penn Vet Working Dog Center (PVWDC), an organization dedicated to training working dogs to assist humans in various capacities.

“Interning for the PVWDC has opened doors for me to explore the world of working dogs and explore this new sector in dog training that I never thought of before,” she said. “I am excited to continue to explore the field of working dogs as a potential career.”

Mia Feola ’27

Major: Animal Behavior Studies

Summer Experience: Intern at Penn Vet Working Dog Center, Philadelphia

Funding Support: General Summer Experience Funds

Tell us about your summer experience. What is a typical day like?

This summer, I have had the amazing opportunity of interning at the Penn Vet Working Dog Center (PVWDC), a premier organization located in Philadelphia, that trains successful working dogs. I have learned about different careers the dogs can choose, such as search and rescue (SAR) or detection K9s. I am assigned to work under the direction of one of the SAR trainers, Danielle Berger, and am given plenty of hands-on opportunities to train with the dogs. The fun part about my internship is that no two days are alike. There are plenty of activities that the dogs participate in on a daily basis. Some days I hide inside barrels for dogs to find me on the rubble pile, while other days I observe the dogs doing fitness exercises and obedience training. 

How has your F&M journey prepared you for this experience? 

My experiences volunteering at the F&M Vivarium and utilizing F&M’s many student services helped prepare me for my internship. Working with the Capuchin monkeys in the Vivarium allows me to practice positive-reinforcement training concepts, which can be used to train search-and-rescue dogs. The Career Center helped me succeed in applying for this internship by supporting me in every step of the process. 

What has been the most fascinating aspect of your experience so far?

The most fascinating aspect of my internship is how much hands-on activity is offered to me on a daily basis. Since the first day on the job, the trainers started teaching me the importance of building drive and engagement with the dogs through play. One of the first responsibilities I was given involved taking dogs on potty walks and building engagement. That helped me establish a bond with each dog, which helps with training. As the weeks go on, I receive more responsibilities, allowing me to practice new concepts. I have been given the opportunity to engage in obedience training and handle dogs doing live finds on the rubble pile. 

How has this experience helped you along your chosen career path?

Interning for the PVWDC has opened doors for me to explore the world of working dogs. Before this internship, I have had experience in training companion dogs and service dogs, and this internship has allowed me to explore this new sector in dog training that I never thought of before. I am excited to continue to explore the field of working dogs as a potential career.

Looking back on your college search, why did you choose F&M?

I knew that I always wanted to work with animals. When I looked into F&M, I was excited to find out about the animal behavior program. There are not that many schools that offer such programs. When I took a tour of the campus, I knew that I was looking for a smaller school that has a strong community. I’ve been lucky enough to meet a great group of friends and get to know the professors and staff. 

“The most fascinating aspect of my internship is how much hands-on activity is offered to me on a daily basis. Some days I hide inside barrels for dogs to find me on the rubble pile, while other days I observe the dogs doing fitness exercises and obedience training.”

— Mia Feola '27