Have taken 3 (but really 5 because 2 of them had 2 huge parts) and have done decently on all of them. However, now that I realize I probably won't fail, that has made me a little more particular about the grades I get. Whether this makes me more stressed or not, we will have to see. But right now? So happy to be doing alright!
As for the Raptor Rehab, I said I would give more details, so....
Hoot Camp was great. They gave us a tour of the facility and explained a lot of handling techniques and ways to get more involved with the program. I learned how to put together the jesses, leashes and such for the birds. It sounds easy, but you have to put everything together and attach it to the bird with only one hand (because the other has a glove with a raptor sitting on it). The bird I got to work with was Hephaestus, a little kestrel. He is full of personality and it was so neat to have him on my hand and to just see him watching me. Unlike dogs and cats, who usually portray their feelings rather well, it was so captivating just looking at him because I have no concept of avian body language. Plus it is a huge show of trust when they step onto your hand because they cannot fly away (you have a hold on the jess and the leash so they can't fly off) and they are trusting that you will be a steady perch. The steady perch is a lot easier with Heph because he only weighed about 100 grams and didn't make my arm very tired.
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| Heph and I |
I really should be studying, so I will just explain about the education side of things for now.
After I set up a few more sessions with the trainer (about 5 hrs) with Heph, I will have a chance to be "checked off" on him. This means another trainer will make sure that I know how to feed him, know where things get put away, am able to put the jesses on and remain calm and in control while handling him. Once I am checked off, I will get the code to the compound and will be able to go whenever I want to practice handling or I can sign up to feed the birds, etc... I will also be able to be the handler for Heph when we go to education things such as school presentations about raptors.
Once I am checked off on Heph, I can work with any of the other Tier 1 (easier) birds. There are about 4 or 5 including Owliver the great horned owl. I go through the same checking off process as before and then will be able to handle him or her at presentations as well. If I get checked off on all the Tier 1 birds, I can move on to Tier 2.
Tier 2 birds are little more shy, or a little harder to handle for various reasons. The main reason I am dying to get there is to handle the vulture we have - Sir P. Vultures are the only social raptor, so unlike the others who tolerate our presence and handling, he actually wants interaction. What makes him Tier 2 is that he is social and therefore has a literal pecking order. If you go in without confidence, you may get a little beat up by the big man :-) I just love vultures' goofy personalities, so that is my goal.
So I am very excited about this club. I can devote as much time as I want, and I can advance as my schedule allows. Plus how many people can say they have the opportunity to handle big birds of prey on a regular basis?
Also I got a job working with the After Hours Clinic crew in the ICU. This is a great way to make some money, learn more about the teaching hospital, meet the technicians, and generally get to practice a little medicine. I have been really missing my job at my clinic in Ohio, and I am hoping that this will help out a little. Plus I will get to work on my technical skills so they don't disappear.
...oh and sometimes I will work overnights.... 11pm -7am....
We'll see how that goes...
Loving it still though! Not during class, but those in between times, and when I realize that I am ACTUALLY learning things? That is fantastic.
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| Me, Loving Vet School :-) |
