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There are four positions available within The Center for Animal Research and Education. C.A.R.E. is currently looking for qualified interns for Fall/Winter  2008 and Spring 2009. C.A.R.E. provides housing for all accepted applicants. To apply for this position please send your resume and references to Attn: Heidi Berry, 245 County Road 3422, Bridgeport, TX 76426.

Candidates must have good written/oral communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a team–oriented environment. Must have or working on a four year degree in related field. All candidates must have the ability to lift 50 pounds and a willingness to work outdoors. Weekends and holidays are required. International applications are welcome. Interns must be able to perform regular duties in 90 to over 100 degree weather. Interns will gain practical experience working with exotic felines, and will be involved with our educational programs. Interns will be able to learn as much about exotic felines' behavior as they choose to learn within the four month session.

Experiences at C.A.R.E. will include feeding, cleaning, animal health, animal management, behavioral studies, chemical immobilization, record keeping, assisting in construction and habitat modification, and related activities. Interns will also be involved with the volunteer program and formal and informal presentations.

 


P
ROGRAM DATES:

January 1 - Mid April

May 1 - Mid August

September 1 - Mid December

INTERN HOUSING:

 

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Summer 2008

 

Name: Amber Miller

Hometown: Coldwater, Ohio

University: University of Cincinnati 

Degree: Wildlife Biology

About Me:  I just recently graduated from the University of Cincinnati in June 2008 with a B.S. degree with a Concentration in Animals.  My aspiration, beginning when I was very young, has always been to work with animals but more specifically Big Cats.  I have always been intrigued with tigers and when I found out about the internship with CARE I knew it was perfect for me.  I’ve always wanted to work in Conservation and I knew this opportunity would give me a better understanding of Big Cats so that I can apply it to conservation issues among other things.  This internship has taught me a great deal about animal husbandry and animal behavior among other things.  It has also put into perspective how much dedication and ultimately the amount of hard work it takes to care for these amazing animals.  The things I’ve learned (and have yet to learn this summer) will definitely help me in the future in achieving the goals I have for myself. 

What I Like About CARE:  The best part about my job is that the effort I put into it pays off at a rate ten times greater than my best efforts.  The appreciation and adoration the cats show me has been worth every second of it.  Every cat has different ways of showing their affection and getting to know those different aspects of each of their personalities has been very fulfilling.

 

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Spring 2008

 

Name: Emily Merola 

Hometown: Hooper, Utah

Age: 23

University: University of Utah

Degree: Psychology and Sociology with an emphasis on Criminal Behavior 
 

About Me: Since graduating college, I’d been terminally ambivalent about which direction I should go. My degrees slated me to work with people so I tried working with inner city kids. After that experience, I realized kids weren’t exactly my forte. I then tried the nature route and was basically a lumberjack for 6 months. I didn’t like that much either. However, I’ve had one true passion all my life and that was for animals. Throughout my Americorp terms of service, I volunteered with various animal organizations such as Animal Defense League and the Austin Humane Society. I found myself happiest working with animals. Basically, with this internship, I’m starting a new chapter in the field I should have been in all along- animals. Good times- this new adventure in the life of me. 
 

What I like about CARE: I’m reminded of the Cheers theme song right now. It’s not because everyone knows my name but because they are all glad I came. Plus, nothing beats the way the cats say hello to me everyday.  

 

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Fall 2007

 

Name: Kimberly Suriano 
 
Hometown: Dix Hills, New York
 
Age: 20
 
University: Delaware Valley College
 
Major/ Degree: Animal Biotechnology and Conservation with a concentration in Zoo
Science
 
About Me: Growing up I always knew I was going to work with animals, and I dreamed
of taking care of Big Cats. When I first heard of CARE I decided to go down for one
of their retreats and after spending the weekend with the cats I knew I had to come
back and take an internship.
 
Favorite thing about CARE: It’s defiantly the interaction with the cats and how you
get to know each one of them and all their little quirks.

 

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Name: Melinda Marty

Hometown: Monticello, Minnesota

Age: 22

University: North Dakota State Univeristy,

Major/Degree: Zoology, International Studies

About Me:  I recently graduated with my B.S. degree, after studying for three years in North Dakota and one year in Germany.  My career goal has always been to work as a zookeeper or animal caretaker, and I've been working on getting experience as much as I can!  When I saw the posting for internship positions, I sent in my resume and as they say, the rest is history.  After this internship is over I plan on moving back to Minnesota until I can find a full-time position in the animal caretaking field! 

Favorite Thing About CARE: My favorite thing about CARE is definitely the cats. I especially enjoy spraying them down on a hot day with water, watching them crouch down in the grass to stalk something, and spending time with them.

 

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Summer 2007



Name: Chris Docampo
 
Hometown: Champaign-Urbana, Illinois
 
Age: 22
 
University: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
 
Major/Degree: Integrative Biology
 
About Me: I just graduated in December, and I am now trying to get experience working with animals, specifically Big Cats. I am so glad I found CARE, as it is really one of a kind and I don't think the person to animal interactions get much better then this!
 
Favorite thing about CARE: We are like a big family out here, with Heidi, the volunteers and the cats, its great!
 

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Name:  Stephanie Maurer

Hometown:  
Sheridan, Montana

Age:
21

University:  
Montana State University-Bozeman

Major/Degree:  
Organismal Biology

About Me:
 I grew up in a small town in Montana and have known since I was a little kid that I wanted to work with animals. Late last winter I heard of this internship at the last moment and applied. When I received a call from Heidi I couldn't believe I was going to travel over 1300 miles for this experience, but I am extremely thankful that I did! I am not sure what kind of career I'll pursue but I have learned A LOT here and hope to apply these skills to a future of working with animals.

Favorite thing about CARE:  Obviously the residents. I love all the
cats-the individual quirks of each personality and the beauty of all the animals. I enjoy watching the different behaviors of each cat, taking pictures of them, and providing for them in any way that I can.

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Name: David Kramer

Hometown: York, Pennsylvania

Age: 20

University: Delaware Valley College

Major/Degree: Zoo Science with a Minor in Business Management

About Me: I've previously interned at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore and worked with small mammals, birds of prey, small to large reptiles and amphibians, giraffes, okapi, lions and cheetahs. Then, around December I was informed of C.A.R.E. by a fellow student and looked into it and applied shortly after. A few months later, I was sitting on an airplane headed to DFW. It's a great experience to be able to compare the zoo atmosphere to that of C.A.R.E, they are the same in many ways but also very different. The main difference between the two is the amount of interaction we, the interns, get with the cats. In the zoological setting there is a sense of separation between the staff and the animals. Here at C.A.R.E. you are able to learn all the cats' personalities a bond will develop between you and each one of the cats. With my experience from C.A.R.E. and other facilities, I hope to move on to bigger and better things in the zoological community.

Favorite thing about CARE: I love that fact that every morning I wake up and walk twenty-five feet out the front door to a pair of lions. 's an experience you're hard pressed to find.

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