Animal Experience International

Don’t go with the expectation of what you will get out of the experience. Rather, go with the intent to work, to give to the world, to be a good citizen. Giving of oneself, one’s time and energy, is the most precious gift that we have to give. It is best given without intent of reward.

When you return home, to work, to school, to your everyday life, you will find that the experience has changed you. You may not be able to define that change, but you will stronger, more of yourself.

Each day followed a similar schedule.

• Six-thirty AM: Prepare food and feed the animals and clean the cages.
• Eight AM: Breakfast.
• Nine Am: Volunteer meeting to discuss animal food intake, behavior and well-being. This meeting is very important as the information will be passed on to the veterinarians and used to determine the overall health of each animal. The caretakers of the animals at the Guatemala sanctuary constantly monitor their behavior for signs of illness or stress - such as a runny nose, missing feathers or fur, not eating and isolation (in the case of social animals) – or (happily) indications that they are ready to be moved to the next stage of rehabilitation. As a volunteer, the veterinarians and animal care technicians will rely on you to report these behaviors, no matter how small they may be. If in doubt, tell the vets or caretakers. What might seem insignificant to you could mean the world to a howler monkey or a macaw!
• Ten AM: Special projects. for example, cleaning the turtle pond, raking leaves, building bird platforms.
• Eleven AM: Prepare food and feed the animals.
• Twelve Noon: Lunch and free time.
• Two PM: Prepare food and feed the animals.
• Three PM: free time. Some activities to engage in include swimming, hanging out in the hammocks, go into the nearest town, Flores.
• Six PM: Dinner.

After an early morning start and a long day, it was usually lights out by nine pm.

As an introvert and a very private person, I feared that I would be lost in a sea of extroverts. That was not the case at all. Everyone, the other volunteers and the program staff, were all very accepting of all individuals. What is important is one’s dedication to the cause and to the work at hand. This is how one’s personality is expressed and this is what unites people. I learned that there is room for everyone and everyone has a voice. For older people who fear that these programs are for the young only, we had volunteers ranging in age from 18 to 62.

When working with wildlife, it is important to understand that the volunteer programs are about the animals primarily, and our personal experience as a distant second. We are there to help care for the animals, in the most unobtrusive way possible.

Reducing the amount of human/animal contact is extremely important at the sanctuary in Guatemala, as its goal is to release as many animals as possible back to the wild. This means no selfies with wildlife, no eye contact, hand feeding, touching or talking to the animals. The latter is especially important regarding birds such as parrots as their tendency to mimic the human voice can disrupt and even prevent their return to the wild. Added to these rules, is one of my own: no photos through wire cages.

l would like to share with you, World Animal Protection's list of 10 things to avoid when on vacation:

• Elephant Rides.
• Wildlife Selfies.
• Swimming with Dolphins.
• Wildlife Souvenirs.
• Monkey Performances.
• Marine Parks.
• Crocodile Farms.
• Tiger Tourism.
• Holding sea turtles.
• Bull Runs and Bull Fighting.

We JUST opened up a new project in Sri Lanka. It is turtle conservation on probably the most beautiful beach I have ever been on with hands on work with some of the most endangered species in the world. You live in the community and are hands and feet to some amazing conservationists and community builders. And the coolest part? Afternoon tea with fresh bread every day!

I am so proud to talk about being a Benefit Corporation. This means we have a third party certifying non profit that looks through all our impacts and makes sure they are good for the environment and the communities we work in.

It's no longer enough to just think the places we volunteer at are good for humanity and the environment. I love that volunteers don't have to take our word for it, they can check and make sure our programs are economically sustainable, conservation oriented and empowering to all stakeholders. Being a B Corp means people KNOW their impact will be a great one.

You don't need any special skill, education or knowledge to make a difference. If you have passion, you have everything you need to change your world.

Really, I have no idea. Everything so far has been amazing and full of surprises. We listen to what people ask us for and we make it happen. Who knows what they will be asking for in the next 10 years!

In 2015 we are holding our first group expedition, I can't wait to hold more of them. We have 5 people heading to Greece to take part in Sea Turtle conservation, including me and my mum! Who knows what other crazy things will be happening in the future! It's going to be amazing to be part of it!