How long have you been at the National Aquarium?
Five years as paid staff, two years before that as an aquarist, MARP, and marine mammal volunteer.
When did you know you wanted to work with animals/marine mammals?
As long as I can remember. I grew up at the beach and watched the dolphins go by every summer morning and afternoon, and that is where my curiosity began.
What’s the hardest part of your job?
Communication with an entire team of people who are all doing the exact same job as you but all on different daily and weekly shifts. There is so much overlap that communication becomes a huge necessary evil about every tiny aspect of our job.
What do you love most about your job?
Watching the dolphins learn something new and seeing that "light bulb" go off and their raw "excited" reaction to you letting them know they figured it out.
Which dolphin do you feel you have a special bond with? Jade.
What is your most memorable experience?
Building a relationship with a well-known dolphin named Bob. He was a very smart animal and had such a gentle demeanor. He was very ill for a long time, and I think we all learned a lot from his patient personality through that illness. He was always strong, steady, and seemingly willing and eager to do what he was trained to do even when, in hindsight, he was possibly quite uncomfortable at times. He trusted the trainers immensely, and I learned not only what these animals are capable of, but also how I could stand to be more like Bob.
What is the funniest thing that’s happened on the job?
Laughter is a huge part of our job. Being so close to each other in so many aspects of our job allows for lots of opportunities for us to joke around. It takes the stress out of our job. But I personally would say I find anything that is anthropomorphic quite humorous. Whenever the dolphins give you a "certain look," or make a noise that sounds an awful lot like English, or move their body in a "humanistic" way, it is always funny to imagine scenarios as to why they are doing that particular behavior.
What is your favorite part of training the dolphins?
Building a close relationship with the dolphins, watching them learn, and learning from their social interactions.
If you weren’t working with dolphins, what would you be doing?
Nothing as fun as this—that would be impossible. Most likely psychological therapy of some sort.
Did you or do you take any special courses in school that help you with your job?
I majored in psychology.
What other project are you in charge of, when you’re not working with the dolphins?
I am the coordinator of the volunteer program. We have one volunteer each day of the week, every week, to assist us with our daily duties. Also, I have been helping to develop the joint program between Kennedy Krieger Institute (CARD) and NAIB with children with autism spectrum disorders. I am also a co-coordinator on further enhancing our poolside public encounter program.
