, Author at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Stories

Zoo InternQuest is a seven-week career exploration program for San Diego County high school juniors and seniors. Students have the unique opportunity to meet professionals working for the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, and Institute for Conservation Research, learn about their jobs, and then blog about their experience online. Follow their adventures here! Hello! My name is Riley, I’m a senior at Temecula Valley High School and I love animals. My passion started at a very young age with lion coloring books, animal crackers and shows like The Wild Thornberries. This love evolved into weekly trips to the zoo, aquarium, and pet store. In school, my favorite subject has always been biology, especially pertaining to animal behavior, anatomy and ecosystems. My room is even decorated like an African safari. To put it simply, I am obsessed. I want to learn everything and anything there is to know about animals. So, when I heard about the Zoo InternQuest program I knew that I absolutely had to apply. One of the biggest problems with this passion is that I can’t refuse any creature who needs a home. It all started fifteen years ago when we adopted a feisty little min pin named Paco. Before we found him, he was kept locked in a cage all day, but now he gets all kinds of love and attention, even though he doesn't like it. Fast forward a few years later, and I made my second adoption, a sweet, but chubby, chihuaha named Pepper. After the dogs, I quickly spiraled out of control adopting a flock of hens, a rabbit, a plethora of fish and even two parakeets. To my parent’s dismay, I transformed our Temecula tract house into a mini farm. When I’m not caring for my menagerie of animals, you’ll find me on the lacrosse field, bent over a book studying, or trying (and failing) to become fluent in Spanish. I also enjoy skiing, beach trips, and playing board games with my friends. I am so excited for the next seven weeks and I can’t wait to pursue my passion for animals in the years to come. I hope you’ll find a quick paws and join me in this incredible journey; I promise it will be a hoot! (Caution: I love animal puns) Riley Graham Profile, Fall 2015

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