I find it more rewarding than any job I've had, but there are some gnarly things where I have to remind myself to breathe or to shut off my brain so I don't get grossed out. Most of the animals hate me, but I remind myself that's a really positive thing for their survival. I have to say goodbye to all of them one way or the other. But I get so close to all these amazing creatures and learn so much about them, and all the other workers are the sweetest people on Earth.

Our shifts are only 4 hours and we only have to sign up for one a week from Apr-Oct so it's really easy to dip your toes in. I took Sundays 8-noon, because I was usually just asleep or being lazy then anyway, so now I get to have an awesome experience every week to give me some positive things to think about on Mondays and I get pics and stories to share.

I'm curious if I can somehow get in off-season, as it's more adult animals, and that would be really exciting to work with the full sized raptors even more.