My favorite part of working with animals is seeing their confidence grow and their eyes light up when they learn something new.

I wanted to work with animals for as long as I can remember. My parents were horse trainers and owned a farm where I grew up. They took me to SeaWorld when I was only five years old and I decided that I wanted to become a dolphin trainer.

I continued to pursue that dream and I earned my bachelor of science degree in Biology with a minor in Psychology from Delaware Valley University in 2011. I completed courses in animal behavior, animal training and enrichment, and advanced animal training. This is where I first learned how to apply positive reinforcement training techniques while working with rats and chickens. I loved this way of training so much! After graduating with my degree, I completed an internship at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, FL training manatees for research. I went on to work as an animal trainer at SeaWorld in Orlando, FL for nine years where I had the opportunity of training and caring for Orca Whales, Dolphins, Pilot Whales, and Macaws! It was an incredible experience.