Katelyn Westerholm
State College,PA
Summary
Diligent and skilled animal care professional well-versed in all aspects of animal husbandry such as handling, reproduction, nutrition, and environment. Extensive experience working hands-on with both exotic and domesticated animals. Knowledgeable in animal behavior, research, and procedures and regulations.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Zookeeper
Abilene Zoo
Abilene, TX
06.2022 - 01.2024
- Provide animal care to species including giraffe, red river hogs, and ostrich
- Feed, medicate, and enrich animals according to their specific instructions and individual needs
- Clean exhibits and service areas daily according to AZA and USDA standards
- Maintained and repaired exhibit equipment such as fencing, freezer flaps, and perching
- Trained to safely handle specific venomous reptiles
Commissary Keeper
Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Baltimore, Maryland
03.2020 - 06.2022
- Prepare and deliver diets and supplies daily for the zoo's almost 200 species
- Care for department invertebrates and prepare them for zoo animals according to diet sheets
- Perform daily cleaning in accordance with AZA and USDA regulations: Includes emptying animal department dumpsters, washing and sanitizing dishes for diets, and cleaning work areas as required
- Gather and deliver hay orders weekly for animal departments
- Process browse delivered by BGE biweekly during spring through fall seasons
Animal Care Apprentice
Oglebay Good Zoo
Wheeling, West Virginia
08.2019 - 02.2020
- Provide animal care to the zoo's 50+ species, including kangaroos, red pandas, and meerkats
- Clean and prepare exhibits for opening according to AZA regulations
- Prepare and provide daily enrichment according to the animals' individual needs
- Assist with operant conditioning and rehab training of specific zoo and rehabilitation animals
- Socialize with and monitor assigned animals (including contact areas), reporting current condition and changes to the assigned keeper
- Prepare and give out diets to assigned zoo animals
Animal Wellness Supervisor
Silverbrook Kennels
Fredericksburg, Virginia
08.2018 - 08.2019
- Assessed dogs' bodies for characteristics, injuries or infections as part of initial evaluation
- Fed dogs according to individual needs and prepared the food for the next shift
- Administered medications to boarding, daycare, and training dogs as specified by their owners
- Maintained proper conditions of kennel facilities throughout shift including cleaning, laundry and washing dishes
- Maintain and continue training for obedience and gun dogs
- Care for puppy litters at separate breeding facility
Manager Trainee
Smithfield
Ahoskie, North Carolina
09.2017 - 07.2018
- Feed and treat sows, piglets, and boars daily according to individual needs
- Check weaned sows for heat daily and breed as required
- Monitor and manually assist sows and piglets during the farrowing process
- Tattoo and ear tag newly arrived sows and gilts
- Complete administrative paperwork related to farm duties
- Euthanize animals in the designated manner (as deemed by the company) when humanely necessary
- Passed certification in each department, proving competency in breeding, farrowing, and farm characteristics
Education
Master of Science - Animal & Poultry Sciences
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
Blacksburg, VA08-2017
Bachelor of Science - Animal & Poultry Sciences
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
Blacksburg, VA05-2016
Skills
- Animal handling
- Animal reproduction
- Animal training
- Enclosure cleaning
- Veterinary care
- Dietary needs
- Daily logs
- Microsoft Office
- ZIMS software
Timeline
Zookeeper
Abilene Zoo
06.2022 - 01.2024
Commissary Keeper
Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
03.2020 - 06.2022
Animal Care Apprentice
Oglebay Good Zoo
08.2019 - 02.2020
Animal Wellness Supervisor
Silverbrook Kennels
08.2018 - 08.2019
Manager Trainee
Smithfield
09.2017 - 07.2018
Master of Science - Animal & Poultry Sciences
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
Bachelor of Science - Animal & Poultry Sciences
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
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