When Dreams Meet Reality
Donation protected
Many of you know my career goals since I was a small child has been to work with animals. Well, my career goals as a small adult are no different! Last year I was accepted in the Exotic Animal Training and Management Program at Moorpark College to take the final step in my professional education where I get to learn from the some of the most accomplished and knowledgeable animal trainers/behaviorists in the business. It doesn't take more than a quick look at my Facebook page to know I've been blessed enough to have so many experiences that are taking me closer and closer to my goals every day!
Here's the cool part, I'm reaching a time in the program where I'm able to travel all over the world to intern for a week or two at potential work places. Case in point, last month I had my one week Project at Universal Studios Hollywood interning with Birds and Animals Unlimited where I was able to assist in training for, care of, and shows with some INCREDIBLE animals and the awesome people who work with them everyday! I had the time of my life, and I am looking forward to even more of those opportunities at two very unique facilities.
The first place, Guide Dogs for the Blind in Northern California (http://www.guidedogs.com/), is second only to a two week-long intership at Dolphin Quest in Bermuda (https://dolphinquest.com/bermuda/)! While I'm so thankful for every little bit of help, the recognition scholarships I was awarded earlier this year only covered enough to pay for the remainder my classes while I'm in this program. However, if the funds can be raised, I can go work for both of these places next year before I graduate and potentially call one of them my new place of employment within the year!
This is where things get difficult; so many doors have been opened just by being a part of this program, but lately these doors are starting to close right in front of me. I've managed to maintain my part-time pet sitting/dog walking job throughout this program but, due to zoo duties and the demands of a full-time class schedule, some months only making as little as $300. Through some sacrifice, and a whole lot of friends, I've been able to make it this far (only 5 months till Graduation!). Now I'm looking for assistance in completing the last leg in this life-changing journey.
To know there are people who are interested in my life enough to even read this far into what I have to say, it is even more humbling to think that there are some who are actually considering offering to help. If you're willing and able to, please know I will not take any amount for granted. Every dollar will help me get that much closer to the dream, and I can only hope my gratitude shows through with every smile, every opportunity, every future photo at any one of these magical places I may be lucky enough to get a job at one day.
One last word; I am never shy to say how lucky I feel to have had as many opportunities that have come my way, and I know I never could have made it this far without quite a few friends believing I could accomplish things that even I hadn't let myself dream yet. So to those people, no matter how much we've drifted in the last few months or years, Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, I would not be the person I am today, I wouldn't be fulfilling my dreams, if it wasn't for your presence in my life. I'm forever grateful.
Here's the cool part, I'm reaching a time in the program where I'm able to travel all over the world to intern for a week or two at potential work places. Case in point, last month I had my one week Project at Universal Studios Hollywood interning with Birds and Animals Unlimited where I was able to assist in training for, care of, and shows with some INCREDIBLE animals and the awesome people who work with them everyday! I had the time of my life, and I am looking forward to even more of those opportunities at two very unique facilities.
The first place, Guide Dogs for the Blind in Northern California (http://www.guidedogs.com/), is second only to a two week-long intership at Dolphin Quest in Bermuda (https://dolphinquest.com/bermuda/)! While I'm so thankful for every little bit of help, the recognition scholarships I was awarded earlier this year only covered enough to pay for the remainder my classes while I'm in this program. However, if the funds can be raised, I can go work for both of these places next year before I graduate and potentially call one of them my new place of employment within the year!
This is where things get difficult; so many doors have been opened just by being a part of this program, but lately these doors are starting to close right in front of me. I've managed to maintain my part-time pet sitting/dog walking job throughout this program but, due to zoo duties and the demands of a full-time class schedule, some months only making as little as $300. Through some sacrifice, and a whole lot of friends, I've been able to make it this far (only 5 months till Graduation!). Now I'm looking for assistance in completing the last leg in this life-changing journey.
To know there are people who are interested in my life enough to even read this far into what I have to say, it is even more humbling to think that there are some who are actually considering offering to help. If you're willing and able to, please know I will not take any amount for granted. Every dollar will help me get that much closer to the dream, and I can only hope my gratitude shows through with every smile, every opportunity, every future photo at any one of these magical places I may be lucky enough to get a job at one day.
One last word; I am never shy to say how lucky I feel to have had as many opportunities that have come my way, and I know I never could have made it this far without quite a few friends believing I could accomplish things that even I hadn't let myself dream yet. So to those people, no matter how much we've drifted in the last few months or years, Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, I would not be the person I am today, I wouldn't be fulfilling my dreams, if it wasn't for your presence in my life. I'm forever grateful.
Organizer
Karli Wadman
Organizer
Port Hueneme, CA