Lindsey Beahm

Current Position:

Animal Care and Behavior Specialist at the Animal Rescue League of NH

What were you doing before entering the Masters in Animals and Public Policy (MAPP) program?

Prior to joining to MAPP’s program, I was a full-time student at the University of New Hampshire. During summers and breaks I worked with a behavior veterinarian, dog trainers, small animal and exotic veterinarians, at the local SPCA (summer camp counselor & vet tech shadow), and at other various retail jobs to make money. Most recently I have spent my entire COVID-19 quarantine at Sandy’s Pet Food Center selling dog/cat/small animal food, supplements, and toys.

What aspects of MAPP led to your decision to join the program?

MAPP’s smaller, single year program was a really big aspect of my decision. I knew that it fit my needs financially speaking, and was similar in aspects to Veterinary school,

since I would be location right on Cummings Veterinary School’s campus. Additionally, a huge draw was the externship post classes next summer. It really drew me in due to its outstanding opportunity to gain loads of experience, continue to network, and additionally, give me the chance to get job offers right off the bat when I graduate.

Interests in and experience with animals?

My primary interest is in animal behavior, more specifically canine behavior and canines with behavioral issues. I am also interested in policies that are intended to protect working service dogs and their handler(s). My animal experiences are primarily small animal & dog, however I have a strange few that I love to share. I have shadowed a exotic veterinarian, thus being exposed to bird and reptile veterinary care. Additionally, I spent two and a half years in 4H showing alpacas. Lastly, I have spent far too much time in dairy farms and love cows beyond belief.

What do you want to focus on at MAPP? What drew you to this?

I was drawn to the MAPP program because I knew I could learn more about the policy associated with animal behavior, human-animal interaction, and other related connections that provided me with greater knowledge of working canines, the policy set for their handlers, and other various canine training policy/regulations that all interest me and pertain to my future career. I was also drawn to animal abuse/neglect policy and the major differences between animals in the different categories, such as pets vs farm animals, vs zoo animals and wildlife.

What are your career goals?

My career goals are to impact the training, handling, behaviors, and relationships between human handler/owner and canine companion pairs. I find the relationship to be so unique and special, but also something that should not be taken for granted. All of these relationships require work and effort from both parties, so understanding canine body language, training, and other aspects of dogs, helps owners adapt with their dogs and create better relationships overall. I would like to help as many dogs as I can from rescues that have behavior issues, to be able to learn how to be normal “dogs” again and to feel more confident with their owner’s support.

What are your outside interests?

My outside of class interests include reading, creative writing, painting/art in general, and photography. These are definitely all my creative outlets when I am not focusing on my schoolwork or career! I hope to travel and be able to experience the world and share my art on top of my career, if that may be a book I write, art I create and sell, or something completely else.

Number of pets? What?

I have two animals. My family has a cat, named Mookie after Baseball player, Mookie Betts (named while he was still on the Sox team). And I have my own …