Steffanie Burk

Steffanie Burk

Phone
614-823-1102

Email
sburk@otterbein.edu

Office
Science Center 144B

Associate Professor

Dr. Burk teaches a variety of courses, including Horsemastership, Horsemastership Lab, Equine Anatomy and Physiology, Forage Analysis, Therapeutic Riding, Animal Welfare and Operant Conditioning, Animal Nutrition and Feeding, Service Learning, and summer travel courses. She has advised student research projects in the areas of equine parasitology, equine-assisted services, equine nutrition, and canine welfare and behavior, while her PhD research at the University of Kentucky focused on antibody responses of mares and foals to Parascaris equorum excretory-secretory antigens. After completing her MEd, she worked as assistant director, faculty, and riding instructor at a therapeutic horseback riding center at Slippery Rock University. Dr. Burk currently co-coaches the Westerville Special Olympics team at the Austin E. Knowlton Center. She has two horses of her own (and a plethora of other animals, including foster dogs and horses) and enjoys horseback riding, reading, running, hiking, and other outdoor activities in her spare time.

Education

  • Ph.D., University of Kentucky, 2013. Animal Science
  • M.Ed., Slippery Rock University, 2007. Secondary Education: Math/Science STEM Concentration
  • B.A., Slippery Rock University, 2005. Biology

Research, Creative, & Professional Work

  • Equine parasitology
  • Equine-assisted services
  • Animal nutrition

Publications

  • Burk, S., Zynda, H., Mastellar, S., Share-Duling, E., McDermott, T. 2023. Equine Parasite Control Methods. [Factsheet]. Ohio State University Agricultural Extension. Factsheet #AS-H-2-22: https://ansci.osu.edu/extension/factsheets-0
  • Zynda, H., Burk, S., Mastellar, S., Share-Duling, E., McDermott, T. 2023. Equine Internal Parasites. [Factsheet]. Ohio State University Agricultural Extension. Factsheet # AS-H-1-22: https://ansci.osu.edu/extension/factsheets-0
  • Kemeny, B., Burk, S. , Hutchins, D., Gramlich, C.E. 2021. Therapeutic riding or mindfulness: Comparative effectiveness of two recreational therapy interventions for adolescents with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 52(6):2438-2462.
  • Keating, D.L., Lehman, J.S., Burk, S.V. 2021. Salivary cortisol, equine characteristics, and management factors associated with strongyle-type egg shedding of Ohio horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 101.
  • Shields, M.M., Kemeny, E., Gramlich, C.E., Hutchins, D.A., Burk, S.V. 2019. The effect of grooming and therapeutic riding by adolescents with autism spectrum disorder on equine salivary cortisol concentrations. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 76:129.
  • Kemeny, E. Gramlich, C., Hutchins, D., Burk, S., Dietrich, J., Jones, E., and Kronyak, A. 2018. Comparative  Effectiveness of Therapeutic Riding and Stress Management Class on Cortisol Levels and HRV in Youth on the Autism Spectrum. ATRA Research Institute Research Poster Abstracts, Annual Therapeutic Recreation, 26.
  • Burk, S.V. and C.E. Gramlich. 2018. College coursework and skills valued for employment in the equine-assisted activities and therapies field. NACTA Journal. 62(1): 16-20.
  • Keating, D., Lehman, J., and S. Burk. 2017. Cross-sectional analysis of salivary cortisol and strongyle-type egg shedding levels in horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 52: 51-52.
  • Kmietsch, J., Samuels, S., Lehman, J., and S. Burk. 2017. The effects of benzyl isothiocyanate and papain on cyathostome egg hatching. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 52: 42-43.
  • Lowe, S., Burk, S., and S. Birmingham. 2017. The effect of whole body vibration on equine hoof growth. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 52: 41.
  • Burk, S.V., S. Dangoudoubiyam,T. Brewster-Barnes, D.K. Howe, C.N. Carter, U.K. Bryant, and M.G. Rossano. 2016. Equine antibody response to larval Parascaris equorum excretory-secretory products. Veterinary Parasitology. 226:83-87.
  • Burk, S.V. and C.E. Gramlich. 2015. College curricula valued by equine-assisted activity and therapy centers. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 35(5): 453.
  • Samuels, S., Heskett, N., Burk, S. 2015. Efficacy of Carica papaya seeds for reducing equine strongyle fecal egg counts. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 35(5): 390-391.
  • Rossano, M.G., S.V. Burk, A.M. Leed, W.J. Silvia, A.J. Pescatore, and E.S. Vanzant. 2015. Factors associated with persistence in the animal and food sciences degree program at the University of Kentucky: From Animal Science 101 to the capstone class.  Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 35(5): 453.
  • Burk, S.V., Dangoudoubiyam, S., Brewster-Barnes, T., Bryant, U.K., Howe, D.K., Carter, C.N., Vanzant, E.S., Harmon, R.J., Kazacos, K.R., and M.G. Rossano. 2014. In vitro culture of Parascaris equorum larvae and initial investigation of parasite excretory-secretory products. Parasitology Research 113(11):4217-4224.
  • Burk, S.V., M.G. Rossano, S. Dangoudoubiyam, T. Barnes, D.K. Howe, C.N. Carter, R.J. Harmon, and E.S. Vanzant. 2013. Passive transfer of antibodies that recognize larval Parascaris equorum excretory-secretory antigens. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 33(5):360.
  • Rossano, M.G.,  S.V. Burk, W.J. Silvia, E.S. Vanzant, A.J. Pescatore, and R.J. Harmon. 2013. Comparison of demographic characteristics, animal science subject knowledge, academic performance and critical thinking skills in students majoring in animal science and equine science. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 33(5):388.
  • Rossano, M.G., and S.V. Burk.  2013. Factors associated with student performance in an equine management course.  NACTA Journal 57(2): 11-15.
  • Burk, S.V., M.G. Rossano, W. J. Silvia, E.S. Vanzant, A.J. Pescatore, and R.J. Harmon.  2013. Factors associated with course withdrawal and final course grade in an introductory animal science course. NACTA Journal 57(2): 16-23.
  • Gould, J.C., M.G. Rossano, L.M. Lawrence, S.V. Burk, R.B. Ennis, and E.T. Lyons.  2013. The effects of windrow composting on the viability of Parascaris equorum eggs.  Veterinary Parasitology 191: 73-80.
  • Burk, S., M. Rossano,W. Silvia, E. Vanzant, A. Pescatore, and R. Harmon. 2012. Predictors of course completion status and final course grade for students in an introductory college animal science course. NACTA Journal 56 (Suppl. 1), 35. Abstract #0303.
  • Pescatore, A., S. Burk, E. Vanzant, M. Rossano, W. Silvia, and R. Harmon. 2011. The capstone course as a means of measuring assessment in an animal sciences program. NACTA Journal 55 (Suppl. 1): 80-81. Abstract #172.
  • Burk, S., M. Rossano, E. Vanzant, W. Silvia, and R. Harmon. 2011. Developing an assessment plan in an animal science department. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science31 (5-6): 347-348.

Affiliations & Awards

  • Choose Ohio First (COF) grant (with Janelle Hallett, Dr. Rob Braun, Jefferson Blackburn-Smith, Kate Lehman, Kristen Crotte, and Susan Bolt) from the State of Ohio and Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) for scholarship support for students from Ohio majoring in allied health, equine pre-veterinary, and veterinary technology. Fall 2022. $462,621.60.
  • Horses and Humans Research Foundation grant for “The Effect of Therapeutic Riding on Stress Levels in Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders.” Collaborator. Assisted with study design and wrote sections of grant proposal. Responsible for laboratory assays and relevant data analysis. December 2016. $88,000, $8,000 subaward to Otterbein University.
  • Certified PATH International Therapeutic Riding Instructor
  • Equine Science Society member
  • National Association of Equine Affiliated Academics member
  • American Quarter Horse Association member
  • Ohio Horseman’s Council member
  • Acta Parasitologica, Journal of Parasitic Diseases reviewer
  • American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists member
  • Annual Midwestern Conference of Parasitologists member
  • North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture member