Clarke is a certified tradesman farrier.
Tell us about your background.
I grew up trail riding horses as well as riding on ranches in Oregon. I was fortunate enough to have a farrier as my father. I got to learn this trade and continue to learn every day.
When I turned 16 years old, I started running my own farrier service in Oregon. I grew up wanting to be a human doctor and was going to shoe horses to pay for school. It has been almost 8 years since I started on my own and haven’t stopped. (I might have caught the shoeing bug.)
My husband and I got married in February 2024 and moved to Illinois in May to continue my undergraduate degree. In October 2024 I completed my certified farrier exam and started working for the University. I am continuing to work toward the certified journeyman farrier exam.
What is your favorite part of being a farrier at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital?
My favorite part of the job is getting to see horses get better by collaborating with the fantastic veterinarians at the university. I enjoy gaining overall knowledge of and experience with the horse. I also enjoy helping students learn more about equine hoof care.
What are your special interests outside of work?
I spend my free time (when I’m not working on the weekends) with my husband riding horses, playing with our three dogs, and going on walks/hikes. I love to read books and crochet at home.
A fun fact about me: I have collected over 2,000 erasers and counting!
