Great Plains Zoo Animal Care Specialist Chris Thomson May 5 th – July 23 rd Sioux Falls, SD

Great Plains Zoo Founded in Acres of Land Over 600 animals representing all continents but Antarctica Year-Round Staff of over 40, ~15 Summer interns, and Numerous Volunteers

Supervisors Ami Pearson – Senior Zookeeper, Co-Director of Animal Programs – BS Degree in Biology, Chem. Minor Heather West – Director of Volunteer Staff – BS in Business Zookeeper Staff – most had an animal science degree, some zoology

Animal Care Specialist Main job was to help with daily care and cleaning of assigned areas Helped assist in daily health observations Prepare and Meet all dietary considerations Provide numerous enrichment for the animals Administer any needed medications or medical care

Applying Found the Job while searching for a different one Online Application Background Check 2 nd Applications Walk-In Interview

Initial Expectations Lots of cleaning Basic health care Individual observations Close contact with the animals Gain a lot of knowledge about a completely different industry

Actual Experience Lots of Cleaning A lot of health care for specific individuals Constant dietary needs Contact with only relatively few animals Public Speaking/Interaction Realization of the similarities between the fields

Personal Gain Learned a lot about operant conditioning and training Dietary needs and specifications Learned about individual personalities of the animals Terms and Vocabulary Did a lot of research Great Hands-On experience

Professional Gain Importance of Safety Communication Skills NetworkingResume Realization of a whole new field of opportunities

Questions?