Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Vaccinations
Species worked with
Short Term Volunteer Work
Timeline
Generic

Sara Romswinckel

Shoreline,WA

Summary

Energetic, optimistic, and eager teammate. Self-starter, ready to learn and take on new challenges!

Overview

11
11
years of professional experience

Work History

Animal Keeper (East Team- Savanna)

Woodland Park Zoo
Seattle, Washington
05.2024 - Current
  • Observes animals to detect signs of pain or distress and reports any problems when necessary
  • Records observations of animal behavior, health, diet and other information in ZIMS
  • Regularly communicates clearly and concisely with keepers, managers and vet staff about animal behavior and welfare
  • Adheres strictly to established policies and procedures related to animal caretaking duties
  • Prepares diets, cleans and creates enrichment opportunities while keeping priorities and efficiency in mind with the schedule for the day
  • Engages with guests and creates memorable experiences during giraffe encounter, daily interactions and behind the scenes tours
  • Stays in clear and consistent communication with keepers and event staff before and during encounters
  • Regularly uses problem solving skills while adapting to changes throughout day
  • Assists and implements training methods for medical and husbandry behaviors
  • Delegates tasks to keep day flowing in a timely and efficient manner
  • Assists Gorilla keepers when needed with diet prep and daily husbandry
  • Assists in training best practices to new staff and interns

Veterinary Assistant

Shoreline Central Animal Hospital
Shoreline, WA
10.2023 - 05.2024
  • Assisting veterinarians in examining, diagnosing and treating animals for various illnesses and injuries
  • Administering vaccinations, medications and treatments as prescribed by the veterinarian
  • Restraining animals during examination or treatment procedures using appropriate techniques according to species size and temperament
  • Restocking and sanitizing exam rooms for ample supplies and disease control
  • Reviewing pet records and communicating important information both written and verbally
  • Entering data pertaining to recent medical history
  • Gathering specimens such as urine, blood and fecal samples for laboratory analysis
  • Performing laboratory tests, x-rays and other diagnostic tests to check animal health
  • Supporting euthanasia procedures and disposal following regulations and owner preferences

Ambassador Animal Keeper

Blank Park Zoo
Des Moines, IA
05.2021 - 09.2023
  • Daily husbandry and diet prep for over 50 species (over 80 individuals) including birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates (Collection included both wild rescues as well as domestic rescues)
  • Assessed animals daily for signs of illness or injury
  • Followed training plans and assisted in maintaining behaviors with primary trainers
  • Wrote and established new training plans with animals coming into the collection
  • Engaged with the public, both at the zoo’s “critter corner” area as well as educational programs occurring both at the zoo and within the local community
  • Researched, designed, and built various enrichment items for a variety of species
  • Performed quality of life assessments as well as welfare assessments for all species within the team
  • Was responsible for daily care notes (ZIMS) as well as enrichment and training logs
  • Restrained a variety of species for both daily treatment administrations as well as assisting veterinary staff for exams
  • Familiar with USDA care standards for mammals and birds as well as USDA standards for invasive invertebrate care
  • Worked with interns and both adult and teen volunteers on guest engagement and daily husbandry skills

Dog Walker

Self Employed
Multiple Cities Across US
06.2017 - 09.2021
  • Provided daily exercise to a variety of dog breeds with different temperaments
  • Followed precise feeding instructions and schedules for animals under care
  • Used operant conditioning based training to enrich the dogs experiences
  • Provided owner with detailed reports over the animal’s behavior and any medical changes

Shelter Admissions Customer Service Representative

Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region
Colorado Springs, CO
12.2019 - 08.2020
  • Assessed incoming animals and people in a fast paced and unpredictable environment and prioritized what needed addressed first
  • Assisted public with stray intakes/reclaims and owner animal surrenders/euthanasia
  • Assessed behaviors of incoming dogs and cats and determined if adoption or behavior modification were appropriate
  • Administered intranasal and subcutaneous vaccines to incoming dogs and cats
  • Gathered information and recorded detailed reports of medical and behavior history
  • Worked closely with veterinary staff while triaging emergency situations and when necessary, preparing animal for euthanasia
  • Provided assistance and support to owners during end-stage pet illnesses, delivering comfort, compassion and kind words.
  • Familiar with proper use of capture net equipment
  • Remained calm and professional in stressful circumstances and effectively diffused tense situations

Lead Dog Handler/ Front Desk Receptionist

Lucky Dog Daycare & Boarding
Colorado Springs, CO
06.2018 - 08.2019
  • Greeted and welcomed guests and their pets upon arrival
  • Developed long-term relationships with clients and bonded with animals through regular contact
  • Scheduled appointments and maintained and updated appointment calendars
  • Managed multiple tasks efficiently while maintaining focus on quality
  • Responded promptly to customer inquiries via phone or email communication.
  • Monitored dog health and administered treatments as needed
  • Prepared and dispensed meals for animals in accordance with their dietary needs
  • Monitored and ensured safety of dogs during group play sessions
  • Advised staff members on appropriate handling techniques when dealing with difficult or aggressive animals
  • Ensured enclosures and play yards were cleaned regularly according to established protocols

Big Cat Keeper

Great Cats World Park
Cave Junction, OR
04.2016 - 05.2017
  • Daily husbandry including diet preparation, hauling 50lbs of meat, and feeding a variety of species
  • Heavy cleaning included pond drainage, power-washing, and general upkeep
  • Maintained a large freshwater aquarium
  • Assessed animals daily for signs of illness or injury
  • Engaged with the public through keeper chats and tours while encouraging animals to display natural behaviors for guests to observe
  • Educated visitors about the animal’s history, behavior, biology, and conservation efforts pertaining to the species
  • Provided engaging keeper chats tailored to casual guests or school groups as well as people of all ages
  • Enforced safety protocols and ensured appropriate distance between public and enclosures
  • Researched most recent husbandry standards and conservation status to benefit the animals as well as the guests
  • Monitored animal introductions as well as courtship/breeding behaviors
  • Transported cats for various veterinary checks
  • Learned maintenance skills to aid in maintaining enclosures as well as creating enrichment
  • Maintained clean public areas so guests could enjoy their visit
  • Responsible for training interns as well as new keepers

Volunteer Animal Keeper

Project Survival's Cat Haven
Dunlap, CA
07.2014 - 11.2015
  • Daily husbandry including diet preparation, cleaning enclosures and administering medication for a variety of species
  • Responsible for keeping records of each individual’s food intake, health, behavior, enrichment, and behavior/breeding tendencies
  • Training using positive reinforcement with the goal to ease husbandry procedures and/or for guest engagement
  • Performed maintenance and repairs on exhibits
  • Often worked in inclement weather
  • Provided interpretive programs to visitors
  • Assisted on off-site education programs with ambassador animals
  • Taught environmental and conservation focused classes to school groups
  • Provided neonatal care for cubs when needed, including rehabbed bobcat
  • Aided in evacuation and transport of 40 cats within a 24 hour period due to nearby fire

Education

Exotic Animal Training

Animal Behavior Institute
Virtual
04.2022

Zookeeping Technology - 26 Credits

Pikes Peak Community College
Colorado Springs, CO
05.2019

Child Development- 6 credits

Folsom Lake College
Folsom, CA
05.2014

Medical Terminology- 3 Credits

North Orange County Regional Occupational Program
Anaheim, CA
01.2008

Skills

  • CPR and First Aid certified through Heartsaver; American Heart Association
  • Kulture City
  • Animals Amplified Workshop (hosted by Blank Park Zoo)
  • AZA Virtual Course: Behavioral Husbandry Best Practices for your Animal Welfare Program
  • Yearly training with the maintenance team to work with tools and machines
  • IT safety and security training through KnowBe4

Vaccinations

  • Rabies
  • Covid

Species worked with

Mammals:

Armadillo (Three- banded and Six-banded)

Bobcat

Caracal

Cheetah

Chinchilla

Clouded Leopard

Cougar

Domestic Cat

Domestic Dog

Domestic Ferret

Domestic Rat

Fishing Cat

Red Fox

Geoffrey’s Cat

Giant Flemish Rabbit

Giraffe

Gorilla

Guinea Pig

Hedgehog

Hippo

Horse

Jaguar

Jaguarundi

Lion

Leopard

Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec

Lynx- Eurasian and Canada

North American Porcupine

Ocelot

Ostrich

Pallas Cat

Patas Monkey

Prehensile Tail Porcupine

Serval

Striped Skunk

Snow Leopard

Tiger

Wildcat

Virginia Opossum

Zebra

Birds:

Barn Owl

Blue and Gold Macaw

Burrowing Owl

Domestic Chicken

Laughing Kookaburra

Peacock

Red-tail Hawk

Rouen Duck

Screech Owl

Senegal Parrot

Whistling Duck

Reptiles:

Ball Python

Bearded Dragon

Blue-tongued skink

Boa Constrictor

Bornean Blood Python

Burmese Star Tortoise

Box Turtle

Corn Snake

Crested Gecko

Fox Snake

Gopher Tortoise

Leopard Gecko

Round-nosed Plated Lizard

Spiny-tailed Iguana

Western Hognose Snake

Amphibians:

Asian Giant Toad

Cane Toad

Tiger Salamander

Invertebrates:

Hermit Crab

Hissing Cockroach

Millipede

Tarantula

Walking Stick

Short Term Volunteer Work

Pueblo Zoo

February 2019

  • Cleaning farm enclosures
  • Exhibit maintenance

Mission Wolf

September 2018

  • Trench excavation

Timeline

Animal Keeper (East Team- Savanna)

Woodland Park Zoo
05.2024 - Current

Veterinary Assistant

Shoreline Central Animal Hospital
10.2023 - 05.2024

Ambassador Animal Keeper

Blank Park Zoo
05.2021 - 09.2023

Shelter Admissions Customer Service Representative

Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region
12.2019 - 08.2020

Lead Dog Handler/ Front Desk Receptionist

Lucky Dog Daycare & Boarding
06.2018 - 08.2019

Dog Walker

Self Employed
06.2017 - 09.2021

Big Cat Keeper

Great Cats World Park
04.2016 - 05.2017

Volunteer Animal Keeper

Project Survival's Cat Haven
07.2014 - 11.2015

Exotic Animal Training

Animal Behavior Institute

Zookeeping Technology - 26 Credits

Pikes Peak Community College

Child Development- 6 credits

Folsom Lake College

Medical Terminology- 3 Credits

North Orange County Regional Occupational Program

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Sara Romswinckel