Four students from Texas Tech’s Department of Animal & Food Sciences earned high honors over the weekend at the 24th Annual Animal Welfare Judging & Assessment Contest, a national competition that challenges students to evaluate real-world animal welfare scenarios across species through the lenses of science, ethics and communication. It was Texas Tech’s first time participating in the competition.
The event, held Nov. 7–9 at Texas A&M University, drew competitors from institutions across the U.S. and Canada. According to organizers, the contest aims to equip future animal scientists and veterinarians with the skills to make evidence-based welfare assessments and articulate their reasoning with clarity and professionalism.
“I’m so proud of how our students carried themselves throughout the competition,” said Anastasia Stellato, graduate division coach and assistant professor of companion animal science at Texas Tech. “Watching them grow in confidence and communicate complex welfare concepts to a panel of experts with such professionalism and clarity was incredibly rewarding.”
Among the Red Raiders’ top achievements was a fourth-place overall individual finish in the graduate division by Bianca Metallo, a master’s student from Berkeley, California. Metallo’s research, recently published in Livestock Science, explores the ideal weaning age for pigs; a topic that underscores the contest’s emphasis on applying scientific inquiry to welfare decisions.
“In preparation for this competition, we learned about animals I never anticipated learning about, and I’m excited to have this unique knowledge now,” Metallo said. “I appreciate Dr. Stellato and Dr. O’Hanley’s dedication to preparing us for the competition, and for all those who helped to teach us about such cool species.”
Metallo, who earned her bachelor’s degree from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, expects to complete her master’s program in early 2026.
In the undergraduate senior division, Christopher Jarrett, a senior animal science major from Buda, Texas, was recognized as the top-placing individual in interactive assessment, an event that tests competitors’ ability to conduct a live welfare evaluation of animals on-site and defend their reasoning before a panel of judges.
Rounding out the Texas Tech competitors were Emily Webberson, a doctoral candidate from Richmond, Virginia. "I’m grateful for the opportunity to not only participate in the AVMA Animal Welfare Assessment Contest and network with collogues there, but also to use this competition to grow my knowledge of new species and learn to make quick, informed assessments,” Webberson added.
Aaron Jimarez, a senior animal science major from Lubbock, added, “I left Texas A&M feeling really grateful for the unique experience. It was the ideal combination of challenging academic rigor - learning to substantiate my reasoning - and pure enjoyment.”
The dedication and passion the students showed regarding animal welfare was truly inspirational, said Kristina O’Hanley, an assistant professor of practice in companion animal science, and coach of the undergraduate senior division students. “We are grateful for their hard work and contributions to have Texas Tech compete at this event for the first time,” she said.
CONTACT: Chance Brooks, Chair and Professor, Department of Animal & Food Sciences, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or chance.brooks@ttu.edu
1117NM25 | PHOTO: (L-R) Anastasia Stellato, Bianca Metallo, Christopher Jarrett and Kristina O'Hanley