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What made you want to be an
animal care specialist?

I always knew I wanted to work with animals. I knew
I wanted to work with them on a daily basis, but I also
wanted to do something that had a positive impact on
wildlife, and where I could try to inspire conservation
leadership by educating the public. Being an animal care
specialist really is the perfect way to tie all that together.

Is there anything about
your job you think would
surprise people?

People are always surprised to hear that being an
animal care specialist isn’t just playing with animals
all day. It is a very demanding job—physically,
mentally, and emotionally. I come in early and stay
late at times. I work weekends and holidays, and work
overtime as well. I worry about the animals in my care
when they’re sick or injured. It’s certainly not a job for
everyone, but for me, all of these challenges make it
extremely fulfilling. I know it’s my true passion when

I just can’t stop thinking about
my job while at home, and
I’m excited to go back.

HUMBOLDT PENGUIN Can you describe a particularly
memorable experience you’ve
had working at the zoo?

I’m sure most people would expect me to say something about the
penguins because they’re so iconic, but really, the first thing that
pops into my mind is the day we released the pelicans out onto the
Formal Pool in 2010. The five pelicans were rescued from the
Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and they had
spent a month recovering off exhibit. The day I helped release them
into the pool area was just such a wonderful experience. They had
been living indoors for quite some time and it was just a beautiful
sight to see them immediately go for a swim and have a sense of
freedom again. We really changed their lives.

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