Work with Animals

Animal Philosophy

My philosophy when it comes to working with ambassador animals is a balance between respect for the animals’ autonomy and the educational values the add by being on program. Whenever possible I want to give the animal the option to not participate in a program. Ideally this is done through training so that they know how to communicate their disinterest to me but also through keen observation of their behaviors. There are times when an animal shows disinterest but the needs of the program override their objections. In these instances I pay additional attention to the animal’s behavior on program watching for signs of stress that tell me the animal has done enough work and is ready to return to their enclosure.

I view caring for ambassador animals as a significant responsibility. These animals are in our care often by no choice of their own and as such their health and well-being is paramount to the work they and we do. Continuing to learn about and improve their lives is a necessary part of the job.

My personal philosophical and spiritual beliefs bring me to revere these animals and hold myself to very high standards of care for them. I never push these beliefs on my colleagues or learners but do try to lead by example in how my beliefs guide the care I provide.

Work with Animals

A woman sits in a room that has a natural-looking floor, a tree painted on the wall, and yellow flowers in the corner. She is looking at the ground.
Trying to get an Eastern Box Turtle to eat.

Care, Handling, Socialization and Enrichment, Training

Animals Worked With

Highlights

A dark image of a woman smiling while a red tailed hawk sits on her glove.

Common Snapping Turtle:

Screaming Hairy Armadillo:

Spotted Salamander:

Red-Tailed Hawk:

Domestic Rabbit:

Mammals

A woman with a tan domestic rabbit on her lap makes a face of adorable disbelief.
  • Three Banded Armadillo
  • Chinchilla
  • Screaming Hairy Armadillo
  • Domestic Rabbit
  • Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec
  • Domestic Cat
  • Domestic Dog
  • Miniature Horse
  • Miniature Donkey
  • Kunekune Pig
  • Aardvark

Birds

A woman making a face while holding a red morph eastern screech owl, who also looks upset.
  • Ring-necked Dove
  • Eastern Screech Owl
  • Red-Tailed Hawk
  • Chicken
  • Tawny Frogmouth

Reptiles

A woman in a teal shirt, black pants, and a face mask holding a large bull snake.
  • Turtles
    • Common Snapping Turtle
    • Eastern (Woodland) Box Turtle
    • Spotted Turtle
    • Radiated Tortoise
    • Red Footed Tortoise
    • Painted Turtle
  • Snakes
    • Grey (Central) Rat Snake
    • Bull Snake
    • Corn Snake
    • Ball Python
    • Milk Snake
    • Northern Water Snake
    • Sand Boa
    • Rainbow Boa
    • Western Hognose Snake
    • Ringneck Snake
  • Lizards and Skinks
    • Blue Tongued Skink
    • Great Plated Lizard

Amphibians

A grey tree frog rests on a white person's hand.
  • Spotted Salamander
  • American Toad
  • Wood Frog
  • Grey Tree Frog
  • White’s Tree Frog

Arthropods

A woman in a black shirt and name badge sits on a floor holding a Madagascar Hissing Cockroch over a clear container.
  • Madagascar Hissing Cockroach
  • Stickbug
  • Darkling Beetles
  • Crickets
  • Rose-Kneed Tarantula
A woman in a green shirt and green gloves holds a snapping turtle for children to see.