Kendall DiRico
Apple Valley,MN
Summary
Dedicated professional with experience in guest services and animal care. Skilled in addressing inquiries and enhancing guest satisfaction, while promoting a safe and healthy environment for animals.
Dynamic leader with proven success child supervision. Adept at fostering teamwork and inclusivity, creating engaging programs that enhance camper experiences.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lead Summer Camp Counselor
KE Camps
Golden Valley, MN
06.2025 - Current
- Supervised daily camp activities, ensuring safety and adherence to program guidelines.
- Lead engaging lesson plans that promoted teamwork and creativity among campers.
- Fostered a positive environment by promoting teamwork, respect, and inclusivity among campers and staff.
- Contributed to a successful summer by consistently meeting or exceeding performance expectations in all areas of responsibility.
- Served as a role model for younger campers by demonstrating responsible behavior, good sportsmanship, and active engagement in activities.
- Worked closely with camp director to address concerns, make recommendations for improvements, and provide updates on camper experiences.
Guest Services Associate
Puppy Play and Stay
Lakeville, MN
05.2025 - Current
- Provided customer service to enhance guest experiences and satisfaction.
- Managed front desk operations, ensuring efficient check-in and check-out processes.
- Assisted in maintaining cleanliness and organization of the lobby for dogs and guests.
- Handled guest inquiries and complaints with professionalism, fostering positive relationships.
- Processed payments accurately, maintaining proper cash handling procedures and balanced registers at the end of each shift.
- Coordinated scheduling of dog play sessions, optimizing usage of facility space.
- Handled many dog breeds of different sizes and weights.
Behavioral Husbandry Intern
Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative
Des Moines, IA
08.2025 - 12.2025
- Interacted with the bonobos on site.
- Created meals and forages tailored to dietary requirements and caloric needs for each individual.
- Observed cognitive research trials to support behavior enrichment and learning studies.
- Observed and learned positive reinforcement training skills while contributing to husbandry routines.
- Followed cleaning protocols of enclosures.
Mentorship
Animal Humane Society
Golden Valley, MN
01.2024 - 02.2024
- Mentored by the Behavioral Team Manager.
- Analyzing of animal behavior after transfers.
- Record taking.
- Collecting samples for a research study.
- Safe capture practices of animals.
ZooTeen Volunteer
Minnesota Zoo
Apple Valley, MN
06.2023 - 08.2023
- Communicating and interacting with children of all ages during staff led activities.
- Encouraging children to communicate and use their words.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization in designated areas, ensuring a safe environment for all children.
Pet Pro Lead
PetSuites
Eagan, MN
05.2022 - 06.2023
- Managing group play of up to 50 dogs or more.
- Handling dogs of all size including dogs that are people reactive, leash reactive and barrier reactive.
- Administration of medications.
- Following feeding instructions.
- Maintaining a clean and organized facility.
- Leading and communicating with my team.
- Handling injuries and stressful situations with dogs of all kind.
Education
High School Diploma -
School of Environmental Studies
Apple Valley, MNBachelor of Science - Zoo And Conservation Sciences
Drake Univeristy
Des Moines, IA05-2028
Skills
- Animal Care
- Animal Interaction
- Animal Handling
- Behavioral Husbandry
- Behavior Observation
- Outdoor Education
Certification
Animal Welfare Professional Course through San Diego Zoo, January 2026
Timeline
Behavioral Husbandry Intern
Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative
08.2025 - 12.2025
Lead Summer Camp Counselor
KE Camps
06.2025 - Current
Guest Services Associate
Puppy Play and Stay
05.2025 - Current
Mentorship
Animal Humane Society
01.2024 - 02.2024
ZooTeen Volunteer
Minnesota Zoo
06.2023 - 08.2023
Pet Pro Lead
PetSuites
05.2022 - 06.2023
High School Diploma -
School of Environmental Studies
Bachelor of Science - Zoo And Conservation Sciences
Drake Univeristy