Where are you from?

I am from Ocean City, Maryland, but I go to school in North Carolina, where I am majoring in biology and minoring in assistance dog training.

What is your position at CROW, and how long are you here for?

I am a Wildlife Care Extern, and I am here for 8 weeks total.

What is your favorite part of your internship? Favorite role?

My favorite part of my internship has been the people I met. I didn’t expect to meet people that I got close with immediately, but I did — and they have definitely made my experience here memorable. I know these are people I will stay in touch with for years to come, and that’s special to me! My favorite role in the hospital is completing treatments with my coworkers.

What is your favorite animal, and why?

My favorite animal in general is highland cows! I’ve always wanted one and I love their long fur and how gentle they are. My favorite animal to work with at CROW is the burrowing owls because they are so cute and have a lot of personality.

What is your most memorable CROW moment so far?

My most memorable moment at CROW was watching our doctors remove a hook from a yellow-crowned night heron’s beak. It was especially memorable because I got to work on the heron’s treatment the week after — I watched it bounce back so quickly, and then I even got to be a part of its release!

What activities or hobbies do you enjoy outside of CROW?

I love to run and do pottery in my free time! I also love shelling here on the island and have spent the summer finding some really cool things!

What has been the most surprising thing during your time as an extern?

The most surprising thing during my externship is how many different animals I’ve gotten to work with. Each specific species gets its own individualized treatment plan, and so much work and effort goes into it all.

What are some of your goals or aspirations for the future?

I want to be a veterinarian and am in the process of applying to schools; hopefully I can get accepted and start next year. I also want to continue training service dogs, since I will be certified and hope to be the main veterinarian for a service dog organization. Eventually, I also want to travel and hopefully backpack through Europe.