CROW Feather: Tyler Ringel
Where are you from?
“Gardner, Kansas”
What is your position at CROW?
“Wildlife Care Externship Student.”
How long have you worked at CROW?
“I just finished my three month externship.”
What is your favorite animal and why?
“My favorite animal is a burrowing owl because the noises they make are so cute and they have
so many variances in species it’s interesting to look at and learn about. They were also my first
species that I got to work with hands-on at CROW and it made me super excited to get to learn
about them and other species.”
What is your favorite memory or story from your time at CROW?
“My most memorable experience working at CROW would be placing my first IV catheter. I had
never done a whole lot of hands-on clinical work before coming to CROW, and that was the first
big thing that I was able to do. It got me really excited about clinical work, and eventually lead
me to pursue my career in veterinary medicine, which seems like a big jump but I promise you
it’s true. I placed my first IV catheter on a Brown Pelican and I was super nervous but the
rehabbers were watching and cheering me on until I got it on the second try.
I also really enjoyed watching a Loggerhead Sea Turtle lay her eggs on the beach, it was
absolutely surreal watching the whole process happen.”
What activities or hobbies do you enjoy outside of CROW?
“I love being involved at K-State, and I’m a part of an ambassadors and mentor program that
helps promote the biology department and gives tours to potential freshman and incoming
students. I love paddleboarding at K-State too and frequently go to the lake during the warmer
weather months. I am involved in my sorority as well, and I love helping organize and decorate
for different philanthropy events. To relax though, I love reading with my favorite reread being
the Harry Potter series. On Sanibel, I loved paddleboarding and biking around the island. Ding Darling has amazing
views and if you drive to the far dock, you can see manatees when you paddleboard.”
What are some of your goals or aspirations for the future?
“Before I came to CROW, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after I graduated college. I went back and
forth between applying to veterinary school, to graduate school, to even just taking a gap year to figure
things out. However, after getting the hands-on experience that I did, I realized that I really do want to
work with animals and apply to veterinary school. My passion for helping animals and learning about
conservation grew extensively this summer and I am currently applying to vet school this summer, and
we’ll see where I end up from there!”