“Wildlife seems to be a topic that everyone talks about but no one quite knows how to live with. As much as I enjoy bird watching and traveling to see animals I have never seen before, I know that by doing these activities I could be affecting their quality of life. Ever since I was a kid, I knew I wanted to help animals, whether it was through eventually becoming a vet or just by giving a couple a good and safe home. Growing up with companion animals, I was given the chance to learn how to care for animals who did not see me as a threat, however I wanted to learn more. I applied for this wildlife internship because I want to know what else I can do to reduce risks for wildlife as well as gain valuable insight from professionals on whether or not I would be a good fit to continue into this career path.
Throughout the duration of the internship, I am so excited to learn more about the behind-the-scenes process of what qualifies an animal to be released as well as the medical processes that occur. I am so grateful for this opportunity to pursue my interest in wildlife rehabilitation and am looking forward to each new experience.
–Ashlyn Cywinski, Summer Wildlife Rehabilitation Intern
“I was inspired to apply for the DCHSWC wildlife internship by my desire to rehabilitate animals impacted by human activities, and by a childhood incident where I got to rescue a squirrel. As a pre-vet student, I knew I wanted to work with exotics or wildlife, but was at a loss for how I would get experience with those types of animals beyond emailing the clinics in my area. I found that prospect intimidating because I started college with no prior animal handling experience in a clinical setting.
To start building experience, I began volunteering as an Animal Carestaff Assistant, then later as a Feline Friend at Dane County Humane Society. It was during one of my volunteer shifts that I noticed a flyer advertising the DCHSWC Internship. One of my favorite things to do during my shifts was to walk past the poster board filled with wildlife rehab stories, and I found myself reading a few of them every time I passed. I was reminded of a squirrel I fished out of my pool as a kid, and how fulfilled I felt when the squirrel recovered and ran away. Even knowing the low survival rate of wildlife in rehab centers, I thought the DCHSWC internship would be a perfect opportunity to experience that feeling again. I would also be getting valuable training in handling animals, particularly those not typically encountered by exotic vets, let alone a small-animal vet.
Through this internship, I am hoping to learn how an animal care center functions, not only in terms of animal care, but also in management and daily interactions between coworkers. I’m excited to practice tasks that require fine motor skills, such as feeding baby birds, and to build my confidence in handling animals like raptors. A huge part of working in a clinic is maintaining a smooth workflow and having cordial but professional interactions with colleagues. Even if I have a heart for animals, working in a clinic will not work out if I can’t navigate through potential conflicts about procedures, responsibilities, ethics, or more. I am looking forward to developing these interpersonal skills during my time at DCHSWC.
–Isabel Liao, Summer Wildlife Rehabilitation Intern
