How did you first become involved with the Junior Museum & Zoo (JMZ)?

I first became involved with the JMZ in 2012 during my second year at Foothill Vet Tech Program. Rob Steele, JMZ Zoo Director, met with one of my instructors and offered students opportunities to work with animals that you can’t work with a regular practice.

What’s a typical day like when you volunteer at the JMZ?

A typical day for me starts off with checking the medication chart for the animals. I check if there are any new medications to give to an animal, if the dose of the medication or the frequency has changed, and also check to see if any of the animals got off their medication. Then I go on to medicate any animal that needs medication. I also clean their enclosure, and during that time, I take notes on the animal’s behavior to see if they are behaving normally or not

In your opinion, what’s the most important work the JMZ does?

To me, the most important work at the JMZ is keeping the animals healthy and happy, keeping their enclosures clean and giving them mental stimulation.

What do you do when you aren’t volunteering at the JMZ?

When I’m not volunteering at JMZ, I work as an RVT in a specialty clinic.

JMZ: How did you first become involved with the Junior Museum & Zoo (JMZ)?

SOPHIE: I’m a designer and builder who has been struggling to find a job that allowed me to use my hands *and* my brain. One day a friend pointed at an exhibit in a natural history museum and said, “You should be making those!” It seemed like a great idea. The JMZ is the perfect place to test whether exhibit design is a good professional fit.

JMZ: What’s a typical day like when you volunteer at the JMZ?

SOPHIE: Right now I’m fixing up existing exhibits, so I’m in the shop measuring and cutting, gluing and nailing. It’s calm, methodical work and I love it.

JMZ: In your opinion, what’s the most important work the JMZ does?

SOPHIE: Being a welcoming community space for families. No one thinks of kids when they think of Silicon Valley…the JMZ is a little haven of plants and animals where tech culture fades away and everything slows down. Kids and parents feel safe here.

JMZ: What do you do when you aren’t volunteering at the JMZ?

SOPHIE: I’m designing a line of housewares and jewelry that I hope to start marketing next year!

JMZ: How did you first become involved with the Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo (Friends)?

SCOTT: I knew a couple of Board members who recruited me to the Board. David Wright and Cynthia Neuwalder were the Board members who approached me about volunteering.

JMZ: What’s a typical day like when you volunteer for the Friends?

SCOTT: My work revolves around financial help since I am a CPA. The work can change depending on what is going on. I have run Finance committee meetings, selected new auditors, selected a new bank and an investment firm to help us while I’ve been on the Board of the Friends of the PAJMZ.

JMZ: In your opinion, what’s the most important work the Friends does?

SCOTT: I think the most important thing is all about the science and education programming. Specifically, I am interested most in the classroom education and the experience kids and their parents have hanging out and learning while at the museum and zoo.

JMZ: What do you do when you aren’t volunteering for the Friends?

SCOTT: I hang out a lot with my family. I have a daughter who is 17 and my wife and I are spending time with her looking at various colleges. Our family likes to travel both within and outside the US.  I’m also a sports fan so hanging out in the Giants ball park is always a good time.

How did you first become involved with the Junior Museum & Zoo (JMZ)?

In 1990, I started volunteering at the San Francisco Zoo where Sequoia was an ambassador for the bald eagle breeding for release program. I had become very involved with Sequoia’s care and training, and for several years was the only one handling her. We became “bonded”.

I really enjoyed and felt privileged to be able to form a relationship with her, and flying her was quite thrilling!  Forming a relationship with her, as challenging as it was, has really been a magnificent, life changing series of events for me. Then a few years ago, the bald eagle breeding program wound down due to the recovery of the species in the wild, and it seemed that Sequoia might be able to have a bigger educational role at another facility.  When the opportunity arose for Sequoia to transfer to the JMZ it seemed like a perfect fit and also reunited Sequoia with John Aikin, the JMZ’s Director, who trained her when she first came into captivity after her injury. So she and I both found a new home at the JMZ.

What’s a typical day like when you volunteer at the JMZ?

On a typical day I come in, check with the staff for any updates I might need to know about, and then take Sequoia out of her enclosure and perch her on her lawn.  I then take care of “housekeeping” duties such as preparing her food and cleaning her enclosure –  much as one might do with a pet. I also spend “quality” time with her on my fist, which helps maintain the bond between us. This is very important, in that she is a wild animal and definitely not a pet.  Occasionally I will take her out into the zoo so people get a chance to see her up close and personal. It’s very fun and rewarding to be able to share her with people, especially children.

In your opinion, what’s the most important work the JMZ does?

The JMZ is an amazing community resource, not only as a fun and educational place to visit, but also through the classes and programs offered here, as well as the partnership with schools.

It’s wonderful to see kids roaming through the zoo having a great time and also to see kids deeply involved in classroom projects.  The JMZ has been a part of so many families lives over generations, people who came here as kids now bring their kids.

What do you do when you aren’t volunteering at the JMZ?

I recently retired after many years with the San Mateo County Office of Education. I am now adjusting to having so much free time and looking forward to new adventures.

How did you first become involved with the Junior Museum & Zoo (JMZ)?

I had been familiar with the JMZ for a few years and really wanted to volunteer here, but unfortunately had too many other commitments. One of those commitments was working as a wildlife rehabilitator at the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley.

One day a baby raccoon (Loki) with a severely damaged eye was brought into the wildlife center. He was clearly unreleasable. I knew that Rob Steele, JMZ Zoo Director, was looking for a raccoon and this baby was the perfect candidate. After Loki moved to the JMZ, I visited him when I could and soon was drawn into helping socialize young African straw bats. I was enchanted and so began my regular volunteer work here.

I find the JMZ a wonderful balance to my work at the wildlife hospital where we deliberately have no relationship with the animals in our care and try very hard to keep them wild so they can be released. At the zoo I can get to know the animals with their quirks and interesting personalities. The staff is so caring and compassionate.

What’s a typical day like when you volunteer at the JMZ?

My main focus at the zoo is helping with animal enrichment. On a typical day the first stop is the bat cave where I talk to the bats, give them treats, and work on gaining their trust. My next stop is Olive the Western screech owl. I have been one of Olive’s handlers for five years now. She loves being on the glove and coming out to meet visitors.

After that I spend time with Edward the tortoise and the raccoons. The rest of my time is spent helping feed various animals, giving extra attention to whichever animal needs it, and talking to visitors.

In your opinion, what’s the most important work the JMZ does?

Our most important task is to educate children about animals and teach them to respect them. Not all children will be lucky enough to see animals in the wild. As more wildlife lose their habitat, instilling a love of animals in the children is an investment for the future. They are the ones who will make sure there are preserved places for them to live.

What do you do when you aren’t volunteering at the JMZ?

Other than working as a rehabber at the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley, I sing at nursing homes with a choir, and am a master gardener. In my “free time” I love being in nature, spending time with friends, and traveling to exotic places.

JMZ: How did you first become involved with the Junior Museum & Zoo (JMZ)?

DREW: I have always loved working with animals and when I had the opportunity to volunteer at the JMZ I was excited and anxious to start. Volunteering at the JMZ has been such an amazing experience and I have learned so much.

JMZ: What’s a typical day like when you volunteer at the JMZ?

DREW: To assist birthday party staff and education support for special private events.

JMZ: What do you do when you aren’t volunteering at the JMZ?

DREW: When I’m not at the JMZ I’m at school, or hanging out with my family.

A note from Jennifer Hill, Drew’s JMZ staff mentor:

Drew is an amazing young man! Last summer Drew was part of advanced zoo camp where he stole the hearts of JMZ staff and animals. He has an amazing connection with the animals and has a great ability to share his knowledge with children and their families.