Mackenzie Spencer
Thousand Oaks,CA
Summary
Reliable and punctual team member with proven skills cleaning animal areas, coordinating enrichment, and managing animal needs with care and compassion. Highly organized and hardworking with good communication and multitasking abilities. Passionate about hoofstock, hoof care, and husbandry.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Head Keeper and Barnyard Manager
Woodland Hills Private School Barnyard
05.2022 - Current
- Trained staff in department procedures and requirements to build cohesive and successful team.
- Manage recordkeeping and payments.
- Daily cleaning and maintenance of enclosures.
- Observe animal behavior.
- Maintenance of hoof care of a variety of hoofed species.
- Provide medical care in accordance to veterinary professionals.
- Communicate clearly with veterinary staff.
- Provide behavioral enrichment.
- Prepare and distribute diets to birds, mammals, and reptiles.
- Train husbandry behaviors using a variety of training methods and positive reinforcement.
- Classroom education and private animal experiences.
- Collaborate with faculty and staff to identify and address improvement of animal care.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Developed and managed social media content.
Veterinary Technician
Townsgate Pet Hospital
10.2021 - 05.2022
- All aspects of nursing care including phlebotomy, medication administration, fluid therapy, radiology, pharmacology, pre/post-operative care, surgical assisting, and anesthesiology.
- All clerical duties including phones, making appointments, and medical record keeping.
- Restrained animals to protect veterinarians from potential harm.
- Cleaned and disinfected exam areas, surgical equipment, and kennels to prevent diseases and control odors.
- Documented changes in condition and owner observations while keeping detailed records.
- Prepared surgical instrument packs and drapes for use in sterile environments by processing in autoclave.
- Answered owner animal health questions and advised on best care practices.
Dressage Horse Groom
The Acres Dressage
07.2021 - 10.2021
- Equine care for olympic dressage stable
- Mucked out stables, swept yard and stacked feed and bedding to foster clean and comfortable environment for animals.
- Filled hay nets and water buckets and measured feed and supplements to keep horses well-fed.
- Hoof care for a variety of individual needs of each horse.
- Led horses from stables to fields and back to maintain control of animals.
- Cleaned and brushed horses' coats to improve skin and coat and decrease health problems.
- Checked horses for wellness issues to report problems or treat minor ailments and injuries.
- Work in a team environment.
Student Trainer/Zookeeper
America's Teaching Zoo
08.2019 - 05.2021
- Lead Keeper in "Hoofstock Area" caring for a variety of hoofstock species
- Cared for large and small carnivores, primates, hoofstock, reptiles, and a variety of bird species
- Monitored animals for abnormal behavior and signs of health issues.
- Developed and implemented enrichment plans to keep animals healthy and stimulated.
- Provided daily husbandry and medical care
- Documented animals' condition and behavior using ZIMS for review by senior staff.
- Applied positive reinforcement techniques
- Presented educational shows to large crowds and school groups
- Personal interactions with the public teaching about animals and conservation.
- President of the America's Teaching Zoo's chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK).
Member at California Conservation Corps center
Watershed Stewards Program
10.2017 - 08.2019
- Conservation surveys of fish-bearing streams and habitat restoration for endangered salmonid species.
- Development and implementation of an environmental education fair, Creek Days, an environmental education fair for over 400 elementary school children and community members.
- Field sampling and data collection.
- Coordinating with government agencies and local non-profits.
- Evaluated sites and devised plans for rebalancing ecologies with native and non-invasive species.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend and holiday shifts.
Zoo Camp Counselor, Animal Handler
Santa Barbara Zoo
05.2013 - 12.2014
- Worked with children of varying age, interest, skill, and developmental levels.
- Taught and developed curriculum focusing on the importance of zoos and conservation.
- Led presentations while handling animals.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Exotic Animal Training And Management
Moorpark College
Moorpark01.2021
Bachelor of Science - Conservation Biology/Vertebrate Ecology
Humboldt State University
Arcata01.2016
Skills
- Hoof care
- Medication Administration
- ZIMS Software
- Public Speaking
- Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Proficient in power tools and repairing items
- Works well in a team environment
- Team Leadership
- Decision-Making
- Application of constructive feedback
Timeline
Head Keeper and Barnyard Manager
Woodland Hills Private School Barnyard
05.2022 - Current
Veterinary Technician
Townsgate Pet Hospital
10.2021 - 05.2022
Dressage Horse Groom
The Acres Dressage
07.2021 - 10.2021
Student Trainer/Zookeeper
America's Teaching Zoo
08.2019 - 05.2021
Member at California Conservation Corps center
Watershed Stewards Program
10.2017 - 08.2019
Zoo Camp Counselor, Animal Handler
Santa Barbara Zoo
05.2013 - 12.2014
Associate of Applied Science - Exotic Animal Training And Management
Moorpark College
Bachelor of Science - Conservation Biology/Vertebrate Ecology
Humboldt State University
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