Dive Into Your Imagination

My internship has drawn to a close, and I am very thankful for all of the experiences I have had working at Mote Marine Lab's Dolphin and Whale Hospital. For the past several months, I have risen at the crack of dawn to dedicate 40+ hours a week for a non-paid position – but all the chemical splatters, ripped jeans, and damp wetsuits have all been worth it! I met many new characters in Florida – human and sea creatures, alike. And I can say with great pride that I will remember these coworkers, friends, and animals, throughout my career.

On Tuesday morning I was greeted at work with an exciting new challenge. A bottlenose dolphin had stranded on Siesta Key beach, and it was our job to respond to the call. The other interns and I were very eager to head toward the beach to help the dolphin, and we loaded up into the truck bed of a Mote vehicle, and off we went to assist with a stranding!

Meeting Harley and Moonshine was a wonderful experience!  I was nervous at first because I did not know how Mote’s two resident dolphins would react to me as a new trainer.  But everything could not have gone more perfectly!

Thanksgiving is a day usually reserved for family, friends, and a big feast. This year, I spent the holiday at work, across the country from most of my loved ones. And although I was nostalgic for past Thanksgivings, this one turned out to be pretty special. This Thanksgiving, instead of feasting on stuffing and cranberry sauce, I fed fish to two very special dolphins: Moonshine and Harley!