A BARNSLEY College student who admits animals are ‘her whole life’ has been nominated for a Young Champions award.

Nominated by teacher, Mel Thompson, Summer Ryan has been nominated for her resilient and hardworking attitude toward her studies.

The 17-year-old studies level three animal care at the college’s Wigfield Farm site and for the youngster, there’s no place she’d rather be.

With a combination of practical skills and more traditional classroom-based learning, Summer is hard at work, preparing for her future career in animal care.

The Hoyland teenager recently participated in the farm’s spring event, taking a hands-on approach to their signature sheep showcase.

Here, students displayed their prowess with grooming and handling their ovine companions, with standout participants being awarded with rosettes.

Summer stood out with her calm and mature approach to the competition, with judges noting her sheep’s calm demeanour.

In her second year of the course, Summer admits that looking after animals is her ‘passion’ - and is looking forward to the possibility of working with dogs or farm animals in the future.

She said: “My favourite thing about the course is literally everything.

“If I could go back I wouldn’t pick anything different.

“I love animals, so that’s one thing, but all of the people here are so friendly.

“I came to visit the farm a lot when I was younger, there was nothing else I was so passionate about so I knew I had to work with animals.

“I’ve learned new skills like grooming and getting to know signs of stress in an animal.

“I want to work with dogs, but I’d also like to work with farm animals too.

“Outside of college, pretty much my whole life is animals too.

“I have two dogs at home and I used to have a hamster.

“On a Tuesday, I volunteer at a dog kennel and we play with them, feed them and clean up after them.

“I could definitely see myself doing something like that in the future.”