Learning from and working with the amazing Veterinary Social Work team at the Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine- Dr. Elizabeth Strand, Dr. Bethanie Poe, Dr. Pam Linden and Andrew Lufkin, LMSW. Supporting pet parents in clinic, leading pet loss sessions for pet parents, assisting with the Pet Memorial Celebration, and supporting Veterinary Medical Center staff and students.

I began collaborating with GRAZE in July of 2022 when I approached them with the idea to start a support group. We worked together to make it a reality and I continue to co-facilitate the support group. I have been invited to be a speaker for their annual Resiliency Summits in 2022 & 2023.I was brought on as a contract employee in 2024 to assist with workshops, the support group and other opportunities as they present themselves.

I work with Trainer level staff to conduct the full 12 hour Emotional CPR training to small groups virtually. I lead Introduction to Emotional CPR workshops for shorter time frames (90 minutes, 2 hours, half day, etc.) to help teach non-mental health professionals how to best support someone going through a trauma/ hardship.

I created our Human Support Services to offer emotional support to those that need it anywhere there is a human-animal bond. Our support group for owners of pets with behavioral challenges is a free monthly meeting to build community and understanding. The 1:1 Peer Support Sessions are for anyone- pet owners, pet professionals, etc., that need a safe space with someone that understands.I created and continue to update our Employee Handbook, numerous protocols and the Google slides presentations used for our Intake Assessments as well as all training documents for those appointments. I train staff on administrative duties, Intake Assessments and strive to contribute to a collaborative culture with a growth mindset.

As a Regenstein African Journey and Walter Family Arctic Tundra keeper, I cared for a wide variety of animals ranging from polar bears to rhinos to seals to giraffe and even insects! I worked with a team to provide the best care for the animals. I trained new behaviors including the first ever voluntary paw x-ray of our polar bear, Talini, as well as her first ever voluntary blood draw. I mentored interns, helping them to learn more about our animals but also assisted them with their resumes and other career goals.

I enjoyed being in a management position where I was able to share my passion for animals and the environment with the captive age group of teenagers! The Teen Conservation Coordinator position was multifaceted, with the common theme being high school students. I constantly looked for ways to improve their experiences with us and create new opportunities for them!One major component was the Youth Volunteer Program, which currently 40 students that I managed on a daily basis. They fulfilled a similar function as the adult docents who helped interpret exhibits and make personal connections with guests. I spent one on one time with the Youth Volunteers, offering advice about colleges and career paths. I also sent out weekly emails to keep them updated, as well as organized events outside of their volunteering. I improved scheduling and communication with the volunteers by implementing a new scheduling function in the volunteer portal, Volgistics.I was also responsible for outreach to high schools and broadened the range to an hour radius of the Aquarium. From the Aquarium's location in Chattanooga, I was able to reach students in TN, GA and Alabama! I created and executed a new Career Day which helped showcase all the people and positions that made the Aquarium run successfully. As the Aquarium's representative for ACME (Association of Chattanooga Museum Educators), I attended monthly meetings and kept the Aquarium's Education staff up to date on happenings at other institutions.

The triage department is responsible for conducting intake exams on all dogs and cats entering the shelter. I administered vaccinations and helped conduct the physical exams on the animals. We provided daily care for anywhere between 30- 50 dogs of all sizes in our area which included medications, feeding, watering and cleaning their kennels. I strived to give the best care to all of the animals, regardless of how they made their way to the shelter (owner surrender, stray or impounded by our officers). I enjoyed working as a team with all the departments of the Center to make the animals feel better and ultimately find their forever homes!

I began working with and training beluga whales and Pacific white-sided dolphins at Azul Stadium. I was present for the birth of two calves over the summer, and conducted around-the-clock observations of the calves and their mothers. I provided excellent customer service to guests participating in our Beluga Interaction Program and performed support roles for shows. In September 2013, I began working at Shamu Stadium. I continued to assist with diet preparation and show set- up and break down. I narrated our Shamu Story show and did support roles for One Ocean and Christmas shows. I was present for the birth of Kamea, a killer whale calf born in December 2013, and conducted round-the-clock observations on her and her mother for several months. I created a new enrichment device for the whales, and was awarded for creating the best Killer Whale Toy of 2014, determined by a staff vote. In April 2014, I began working with the Asian small-clawed otters, California sea lions, harbor seals and Pacific walruses at Sea Lion Stadium. I performed show roles for Cannery Row Caper, A Sea Lion Story and Sea Lions Tonight. I helped the area transition 30+ new animals under our care, and prepared for the opening of a new show, Sea Lions High. I took on the extra project of updating the area manual full of animal information and standard operating procedures.

I cared for 4 species of penguins in a cold weather exhibit- Kings, Chinstraps, Gentoos and Rockhoppers. I also cared for Magellanic penguins in our behind the scenes area. I cared for Atlantic puffins, tuffed puffins and murres in a temperate climate exhibit. I performed daily husbandry tasks ranging from fish preparation, hosing exhibits and shoveling snow. I worked with the team to prepare the penguin exhibit for breeding season by hauling hundreds of rocks into the exhibit and conduct daily record taking on pairs and their locations. I created a new protocol and training plan for training the King penguin chicks how to feed themselves on the exhibit. Using my methods, the two chicks of that season learned how to feed themselves faster than any other King chicks in the history of the park. After having successful results, I was chosen to present my findings at the Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA) International Conference in Toronto, Canada, in April 2013. I did our daily penguin chat on microphone for our guests, and enjoyed leading our Penguin Interaction Program, where guests suited up and explored the penguin exhibit with us. I was featured on Family Travel with Colleen Kelly, a national television show, talking about our penguins and interacting with guests and our penguins during a behind the scenes tour.

I trained new behaviors with beluga whales and Pacific white-sided dolphins, and performed water work behaviors with both species. I assisted with their transport from Mystic, CT, back to Shedd Aquarium after the Oceanarium renovations were complete. I was present for several beluga whale and a dolphin birth, and helped with routine annual physicals as well. I also cared for Alaskan sea otters and Gentoo, Magellanic and Rockhopper penguins. I was one of the main narrators and trainers for our show "Pet Training: The Shedd Way". I helped open the new aquatic show, Fantasea, and our Holiday Show. I introduced Magellanic penguins to guests during Penguin Encounters, and led guests around our area for several hours during our Trainer for a Day program. As the Records Lead, I helped to streamline our paper and computer records. As the Volunteer Lead, I conducted volunteer orientations for new volunteers, and constantly communicated with staff regarding their progress. I updated our intern checklist of tasks, and updated the Intern Manual, which eliminated gray areas and helped make their training as black and white as possible.

I helped Laura Monaco Torelli, a Karen Pryor Certified Training Partner and Facilty member, continue to build her business in multiple aspects. I assisted with office work, including filing, organizing and website design. I also filtered applications for volunteer and intern positions, conducted interviews and chose new candidates for the program. I helped to set up and break down for dog training classes, and worked with the dog teams during class.

I SCUBA dove inside bottlenose dolphin habitats and outdoor pinniped habitats. I participated in sessions with harbor seals, California sea lions and grey seals. I weighed out the animals' diets and ensured the fish room was kept clean throughout the day. I chose enrichment items to give to the animals and observed their interactions with them. I scanned tickets for the dolphin show and assisted guests in any way possible.

I was hired on as a temporary employee to help conduct minute-by-minute observations on Miki, a newborn male beluga calf, and his mother, Mauyak. I made detailed notes, and contacted my supervisors if there was any concerning behaviors. I also did extra cleaning and worked with other employees and interns during my shifts.

I led a class of 6th and 7th graders through 8 weeks of coursework. I set up a visit to a vet hospital where we were given a tour by the veterinarian. We did dissections and talked about anatomy and terminology. I set up a behind-the-scenes tour of the vet hospital at the John G. Shedd Aquarium where the students saw where a variety of species are cared for. For the final class, each student's guardian was given a specific species and ailment. The student acted as a veterinarian and helped decide the method of treatment for the animal.

I cared for a multitude of species including but not limited to: Eastern black rhinoceros, Masai giraffe, blue-eyed black lemurs, black and white ruffed lemur, red kangaroos, emus, coati, Maribu stork, pelicans, Andean bears, East Caucasian tur, African penguins, prehensile-tailed porcupine, fruit bats, skunk, alligators and more. I worked with volunteers, interns and staff to complete daily chores. As the registrar, I went to Milwaukee County Zoo to learn more about the requirements of the position since the position had been vacant for quite some time. I became a member of the Zoological Registrar's Association (ZRA) and went to the annual conference to help learn and network with other registrars. I was able to work diligently to get our records updated. I worked with other facilities to schedule animal transports and ensured we had the proper permits to do so. When the zoo's CEO was in need of a temporary administrative assistant, I volunteered to assist in the front office so I could learn more about how the zoo was run.

I created weekly lesson plans about animals, adaptations, the environment and more for children in an after-school program. Each class ended with the students being able to see and learn about one of our program animals I would bring to help enhance their appreciation for all types of animals! I handled and transported the program animals on my own, and reported any abnormal behavior to the animal care staff and supervisor.

I disinfected and restocked exam rooms after each appointment, assisted with caring for resident and visiting animals, and cleaned all public and behind the scenes areas. I was in charge of training new Vet Assistants on all protocols and procedures in the hospital.