From the age of two, I have always been interested in working with tigers. My first stuffed animal was a white tiger named Bone Tiger. Once I had Bone Tiger, I took him everywhere with me. As I got older, I would ask my parents for more stuffed animal tigers. Although I collected many stuffed animal tigers throughout my life, I have always kept Bone Tiger. My interest in tigers continued to grow as I got older. I grew up in Medway, MA., which is about 30 minutes from Southwick’s Zoo. Southwick’s Zoo is one of the few zoos in Massachusetts that has tigers at its facilities. Every year in elementary school, my class would go on a field trip to the zoo. This was the one field trip I consistently looked forward to each year. It gave me the chance
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I was not only able to learn positive reinforcement techniques, but I was able to maintain and build relationships with the animals. This was one of my first hands-on experiences working with animals. While I interned at Southwick’s Zoo, I had the opportunity to shadow a different department. I chose to shadow the hoof stock department, which typically encompasses only hoofed animals. However, Southwick’s hoof stock department also encompasses any animal that is not under the domain of the bird, reptile, or primate departments. By shadowing the hoof stock department, I was able to observe a jaguar up close with a small, but safe barrier between us. This moment was the highlight of my day. I cannot even describe what it was like to be just inches away from this beautiful animal. Even working with the birds was enough for me to know that this is the career path I want to peruse. I was able to get to the point where I could work with a bird without protective contact. I was able to have the bird step onto my arm. The bird and I built trust and a relationship over time. The feeling of building this relationship matched the feeling of being inches from the jaguar. Knowing that this animal trusted me enough to carry it around on my arm was truly an amazing feeling. Overall, this internship was extremely rewarding. It is what inspired me to look for other internships that would allow me to gain more experience for my future
I was not only able to learn positive reinforcement techniques, but I was able to maintain and build relationships with the animals. This was one of my first hands-on experiences working with animals. While I interned at Southwick’s Zoo, I had the opportunity to shadow a different department. I chose to shadow the hoof stock department, which typically encompasses only hoofed animals. However, Southwick’s hoof stock department also encompasses any animal that is not under the domain of the bird, reptile, or primate departments. By shadowing the hoof stock department, I was able to observe a jaguar up close with a small, but safe barrier between us. This moment was the highlight of my day. I cannot even describe what it was like to be just inches away from this beautiful animal. Even working with the birds was enough for me to know that this is the career path I want to peruse. I was able to get to the point where I could work with a bird without protective contact. I was able to have the bird step onto my arm. The bird and I built trust and a relationship over time. The feeling of building this relationship matched the feeling of being inches from the jaguar. Knowing that this animal trusted me enough to carry it around on my arm was truly an amazing feeling. Overall, this internship was extremely rewarding. It is what inspired me to look for other internships that would allow me to gain more experience for my future