One of the most important things about my identity is that I am an animal lover. I grew up visiting my Grandfather’s dairy farm in northern New York and that’s where I fell in love with animals. By the time I was 4, I knew how to milk a cow and bottle feed abandoned kittens. Growing up my mother always let us have a lot of pets, which only furthered my passion for the care and love of animals.
When I got to high school I got the opportunity for a life changing experience. My high school had a program where for one week in March, we got to choose to participate in a program of interest. I chose to go on a trip to Busch Gardens in Florida where my classmates and I got to work behind the scenes with the zookeepers. It was that trip that made me decide that I wanted to work with animals.
Within three years of finishing high school, I completed my associates degree in veterinary technology. After working in a veterinary clinic for a little while, I decided that I wanted to venture out and work with wildlife which is something I always wanted to do. After applying to various internships at zoos across the country, I decided to spend my summer of 2016 in Arizona working at the Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium. I got to live with my Grandmother and my Aunt, and worked with animals 5 days a week. I worked in four different areas at the zoo. Hoofstock, small mammals, and ponds and carnivores. I got to work with giraffes, a rhino, tigers, lions, bears (oh my!) As well as birds, monkeys, and porcupines to name a few. It was an incredible experience to work that closely with all these beautiful animals on a daily basis this summer. I also learned a lot!
After my internship, I was accepted to UNE! I am so thrilled to be in the animal behavior program and continuing my education and learning about animals. My love for animals isn’t just my career path, it is something I have and will continue to dedicate my life to as it is one of my greatest passions.
