TIERYN PUN
Kissimmee,FL
Summary
Animal care professional with experience in AZA-accredited zoological and aquarium facilities, skilled in multi-species husbandry, animal training, behavioral observation, enrichment, and guest education. Brings hands-on aquatic experience in sea turtle rehabilitation, including feeding, water-quality monitoring, biosecurity, and aquatic system maintenance. Seeking to apply and expand these skills in professional aquatic animal care at The Seas with Nemo & Friends!
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Animal Care Specialist
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (AZA)
Tampa, FL
01.2026 - Current
- Utilize operant conditioning and positive reinforcement for husbandry behaviors, voluntary medical behaviors, and animal presentations.
- Provide daily husbandry for mammals, birds, reptiles, and ambassador animals, including diet preparation, health monitoring, enrichment, shifting, and behavioral observation.
- Trained animals for Pantopia Theater's Animal Tales Presentation, showcasing their behaviors while engaging and educating guests.
- Present keeper talks and conservation messaging, interpreting animal behavior and care for guests and answering questions.
- Monitored tiger activities to gather data on behavioral patterns. and follow established safety and observation protocols.
- Maintain behavioral and husbandry records using TRACKS and collaborate with veterinary, horticulture, and zoological teams.
Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Volunteer
The Florida Aquarium (AZA)
Apollo Beach, Florida
03.2022 - 06.2026
- Executed aquatic animal-care, sanitation, and biosecurity procedures to support rehabilitation staff and promote turtle recovery.
- Maintained and cleaned filtration and aquatic life-support systems to ensure optimal habitat conditions for rehabilitating sea turtles.
- Enhanced sea turtle rehabilitation through husbandry, diet preparation, water-quality monitoring, behavioral observations, and conservation education.
Animal Care Specialist
Sanctuary at Solid Rock (GFAS Candidate)
Tarpon Springs, Florida
07.2024 - 01.2026
- Provided daily animal care and welfare support for a diverse group of about 60 sanctuary animals.
- Prepared diets, maintained habitats, completed behavior and health checks, and recorded animal care details.
- Administered medications and assisted with wound care and other veterinary treatments under established protocols.
- Ensured safe handling and restraint of animals, prioritizing staff safety and animal welfare.
- Assisted veterinary care by accurately reporting health concerns and behavior changes to relevant staff.
- Implemented enrichment and habitat management strategies to promote species-appropriate behavior and enhance quality of life.
- Worked in fast-paced, resource-conscious animal care setting requiring flexibility, teamwork, and consistent follow-through on husbandry routines.
Aquatics Leader II
City of Tampa Parks & Recreation
Tampa, FL
12.2023 - 07.2024
- Coordinated aquatics operations, supervised and trained staff, and facilitated safety inspections and maintenance to ensure emergency readiness and program effectiveness.
- Maintained optimal pool conditions and water chemistry, monitored lifesaving equipment and first-aid supplies, and ensured facility compliance with safety regulations.
- Led parks and recreation staff during daily facility operations.
- Coordinated public programs, events, and community recreation activities.
Aquatics Safety Trainer
Loews Hotels & Co. (Universal Orlando Resort)
Orlando, Florida
07.2020 - 04.2023
- Led training program for over 200 lifeguards at Universal Orlando Resort, ensuring preparedness for emergency situations.
- Instructed lifeguard classes focused on emergency response and safety compliance, fostering a culture of consistent procedures.
- Delivered safety training for hotel and resort teams across guest and back-of-house areas.
- Conducted emergency preparedness drills for Loews Hotels & Co. at Universal Orlando Resort.
Education
undefined
Associate of Science - Biology (in Progress)
Valencia College
10-2026
undefined
undefined
undefined
undefined
Skills
- Animal husbandry
- Wildlife rehabilitation
- Animal behavior
- Veterinary assisting
- Aquatic animal care
- Water quality monitoring
- Habitat maintenance
- Positive reinforcement
- Animal transport
- SOP compliance
- TRACKS & ACS
- CPR training
- Lifeguard training
- Public speaking
- Water quality
SELECTED SPECIES EXPERIENCE
- Mammals: Giant anteater, capybaras, short-beaked echidna, binturongs, ring-tailed & red ruffed lemurs, squirrel monkeys, marmosets, tamarins, wallabies, muntjac deer, chinchillas, hedgehogs, pigs.
- Birds: Southern ground hornbill, grey crowned crane, curassows, parrots, toco toucan, barbet, eastern screech owl, guira cuckoo, emus, ducks, chickens, turkeys.
- Reptiles: Radiated, red-footed, & sulcata tortoises, mud turtles, eastern indigo snake, Florida pine snake, green iguana.
- Wildlife Rehabilitation: Sea turtles, opossums, raccoons, rabbits, squirrels, gopher tortoises, native Florida snakes.
INSTRUCTOR CREDENTIALS — PREVIOUSLY HELD
- American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor — 2023-2025 (expired).
- Ellis Lifeguard Instructor — 2022–2024 (expired).
- StarGuard ELITE Instructor — 2022–2024 (expired); authorized for lifeguarding, First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens, BLS/CPR/AED, and Emergency Oxygen.
Timeline
Animal Care Specialist
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (AZA)
01.2026 - Current
Animal Care Specialist
Sanctuary at Solid Rock (GFAS Candidate)
07.2024 - 01.2026
Aquatics Leader II
City of Tampa Parks & Recreation
12.2023 - 07.2024
Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Volunteer
The Florida Aquarium (AZA)
03.2022 - 06.2026
Aquatics Safety Trainer
Loews Hotels & Co. (Universal Orlando Resort)
07.2020 - 04.2023
Associate of Science - Biology (in Progress)
Valencia College