The Animal Keeper

Expertise

In The Animal Kingdom

MY DREAM JOBS

 

     Over the last twenty years, I've had the privilege and good fortune to be employed by a number of world-class animal organizations that are known and appreciated by the majority of the general public in this country and beyond.  The Budweiser Clydesdales, the San Diego Zoo, Hallamore Clydesdales, and Best Friends Animal Sanctuary are four of the more prominent groups on my resume. They never fail to bring a smile of remembrance to the faces of friends and total strangers alike, when my work history is the topic of conversation. Most people seem a bit surprised to meet someone who's actually worked with these almost mythical animals, from elephants to cougars, to the big Scottish horses.  It seems as though mere mortals aren't worthy of the task!  

     After the usual assurances that I did indeed work in those fields, the first comment usually revolves around me having been a very lucky guy with a number of dream jobs under my belt. True enough, I always say with an appreciative smile on my face. That smile, however, brings with it the recollection of years of incredibly hard work and dedication that the average zoo or fair visitor can't really comprehend. 

     The seemingly endless 85 to 100-hour work weeks always bring back memories of the military level of pace and perfection, and the deep-set fatigue and exhaustion with Budweiser at Sea World, and with Hallamore at the New England Fairs.  Endless, hot, dust-sucking days of cleaning steep, hillside enclosures and the constant, yet exciting uncertainty of handling dangerous exotics, did nothing to distract me from the entrusted responsibility of caring for some of the rarest species on the planet at the San Diego Zoo.

     Memories like these, of hard work and sacrifice, certainly have their place in my experiences, but they are always overshadowed by the pride and sense of accomplishment that I feel when I look back at those amazing times in my life.  I've been fortunate to meet some of the most interesting people from all corners of the globe in my career. Being an integral part of the best team in any field is something most will never experience.  I'm grateful that I've made the most of my chances of success with some of the best animal organizations in the world.  Dream jobs?   You bet!