In order to someday become a zoologist, I realized at a young age that I needed to become interested in animals of all shapes and sizes. Currently, my favorite animals are tigers, or rather any species of large cat. I especially enjoy taking photographs of them in their naturalistic enclosures provided at the San Diego Zoo.

In my free time, I love exploring the natural wonders of San Diego County, including Blue Sky Reserve and Black Canyon Trail, which are two premier spots to relax and enjoy wildlife. My hiking partners are my boyfriend and best friend, Zack, and another friend, Matt, who recently moved to San Diego from Pittsburgh and is loving every minute of it. When I’m not hiking I thoroughly enjoy training my seven-month old German shepherd puppy, Charger, who takes up most of my day considering how energetic he is. He is a wonderful and loving pet that brightens my day when I come home by jumping on me, which is top on my list of “no-nos.” I frequently take him on adventures to the dog park in Poway and on hikes around town, which he enjoys very much.

While not working with Charger, I also train and ride a six-year-old paint mare named Roxy at a barn in the back area of Poway. She is quite a challenge, but that makes it more interesting. I recently had my first show with her in January and although we didn’t do as well as I would have hoped, I am confident that our next show will be much better. I go out to the ranch about three times a week and I love talking with the people out there that share the same interests as me.

I cannot begin to explain how excited I am about the next seven weeks. I secretly keep telling myself that I will be able to see my favorite animal, the tiger, up close, but I realize that this might not happen. I will enjoy interaction with any kind of animal, big or small, preferably big, but I won’t complain! Even though the Zoo InternQuest has put some strains on my work and social life, I am eager to find out more about animals. Everyone I have talked to has congratulated me on a job well done and I cannot wait to tell those same people what a fantastic opportunity it was to experience all the wonderful things I will get to do at the San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, and CRES.

I am on the Zoo InternQuest Photo Team.

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