Abbey Peloquin
After graduation, Abbey plans to attend physical therapy school and eventually work as a physical therapist. When she isn’t studying, Abbey enjoys spending time outdoors, playing with her dog, and coloring.
Get to know Abbey
- Major: Kinesiology and health, pre-health professions option
- Class: Senior
- Hometown: Lino Lakes, Minnesota
- Career goal: Physical therapist
- Clubs/activities: Kinesiology Club, Pre-Physical Therapy Club, Student Health and Wellness Ambassador, Physical Activity and Aging Study undergraduate research assistant
- Awards/honors: Dean’s list
- Favorite place on campus: Hammocking in trees outside of Horticulture Hall
- Most influential ISU mentor: Jason Gillette
- Favorite class: KIN 480, Functional Anatomy
- Why Iowa State: Wide variety of major options, creative and inclusive atmosphere made it feel like home
Abbey Peloquin engages curiosity, works as a certified nursing assistant
Working as a certified nursing assistant, Abbey Peloquin has learned many things. Perhaps of the most importance, she has learned the value of individuals.
“There is no cookie-cutter way to create a plan of health care for one person,” Abbey said. “Everyone is different and it needs to be an individual process.”
As a senior studying kinesiology and health, Abbey has learned to acknowledge the specific health needs of patients—particularly focusing on those within the older adult population.
“I think [the older adult] population specifically has a lot of room for improvement in how we go about rehabilitation, and how we can improve the quality of life for these individuals,” Abbey said. “I think that’s something I’m interested in—figuring out better ways to improve quality of life in older adults.”
In addition to her work experience, she has also been involved as an undergraduate research assistant in the Physical Activity and Aging Study. Led by associate professor of kinesiology, Duck-Chul Lee, the study focuses on how physical activity and a physically active lifestyle impacts the aging process.
“Working with [the older adult] population has definitely been interesting, and physical activity is a big part of physical therapy,” Abbey said. “[The research study] has been a really good experience.”
Abbey is currently taking a class that has further spurred her curiosity about this demographic.
“I’m taking Physical Dimensions of Aging [KIN 473], and I’ve really enjoyed that class,” Abbey said. “It’s given me a lot of insight into the older adult population.”
As she prepares to graduate, Abbey plans to attend physical therapy school, where she hopes to solidify what type of physical therapist she will be. Though interested in the older adult population, she is keeping her options open as many areas are of interest to her.
“There is such a broad spectrum of clases and interests within the [Department of Kinesiology]; you can really find what specifically interests you,” Abbey said. “I’ve been lucky that I’ve really been interested in almost all the classes I have taken.”
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