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Nicole
Animal Care Specialist, Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Adventure Camp Alumni: SeaWorld San Antonio

Nicole is a graduate of Drew University in Madison, N.J. with a degree in behavioral science. She was hired as an animal training apprentice at SeaWorld San Antonio's Shamu Stadium and from there, moved on to an animal training position at Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida. For two years, she worked with dolphins and exotic small land mammals. She then returned to SeaWorld San Antonio to the Viva! Show, where she worked with beluga whales and Pacific white-sided dolphins. Shortly after, she moved into a position as a trainer at "The Cannery Row Caper," a sea lion, otter and walrus show, also at SeaWorld San Antonio.

Today, Nicole is on dry land, and is no longer working with marine mammals. In her new role as an animal care specialist for Busch Gardens Williamsburg, she trains and cares for gray wolves and is currently launching Busch Gardens Williamsburg's first behind-the-scenes tour programs. "For me, the tables have turned. Before, I was the one eager to attend camps and tours where I could learn about animals, and now I'm the one helping to create these experiences. It's very rewarding to see young people excited about learning more. It reminds me of how I was at their age."
 
 

Nicole had her first up-close moment with sea lions as a SeaWorld Adventure Camper...

   ...a few years later Nicole was living her dream as a trainer at "The Cannery Row Caper," a sea lion, otter and walrus show at SeaWorld San Antonio.
     

Adventure Camp gave Nicole her first chance to get close to some amazing animals. "It was the first time a dolphin had ever come up close to me. It is one of those experiences that is so memorable."
 

Hometown:

   Berkeley Heights, NJ
College/degree:  

Drew University, bachelor's degree in behavioral science and an environmental studies minor.
Favorite animal:  

It's a toss up! Beluga whale, sea lion or otter.
"I have an awesome job" moment:   Performing in a dolphin show at SeaWorld San Antonio to a packed stadium. It's incredibly rewarding when all the hard work comes together - you and the dolphin are totally in synch, performing behaviors you learned and trained together.
Messiest day on the job:   Working with raw meat to make meatballs and treats for the wolves at Busch Gardens.
Adventure Camp memory:   The first time I went into the fish room at the dolphin stadium. I had never touched fish before, didn't eat fish for meals, didn't even like the smell of fish. As campers, we were in charge of dividing up food for the animals, so I was up to my elbows in a sink of freezing water with a bunch of fish eyeballs staring up at.
What I wish I knew then:   Camp gives you a good understanding of all the work that goes into the daily care of the animals at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, but as a camper you're only there for a couple of days. This job requires a strong work ethic and dedication to the animals and your coworkers to do this day after day. These animals depend on you for everything so you learn quickly that you have to put the animals first – and that means often putting yourself second.
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