Sponsored by
Dream job spreads a little animal magic
MARIE Conway reckons she has a dream job – visiting schools, children's parties and homes for the elderly with a variety of domestic and exotic creatures to promote a wider understanding of them.
After studying hard for a degree in Animal Management and Behav-iour, Marie realised that more hands-on animal experience was what she wanted.
She said: “I really enjoyed the practical work while I was studying and so after getting my degree I moved away and worked at different zoos in this country and also in Thailand.”
Marie, 25, gained experience as a seasonal animal keeper of Californ-ian sealions, reptiles and parrots at Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire, followed by a spell as assitant zoo keeper at Sewerby Hall and Gardens in Bridlington and more recently, as a reptile and aquarium keeper at Flamingo Land Zoo.
Then came the opportunity to take on the Animals In-Tuition franchise for Humberside and East Yorkshire – and Marie jumped at it.
She said: “It meant that I could run my own business, work with animals and children and be at home with my family and friends. It doesn't feel like a real job at all.”
Animals In-Tuition provides a professional service that gives children a rewarding and educational experience. It promotes respect for and an understanding of a wide variety of animals and their habitats.
Visits to schools can link up with the section “Life Processes and Living Things” of the science curriculum. Children of all ages and abilities, across all the key stages, have the opportunity to handle many of the animals including snakes, lizards, and spiders. They can watch them move and eat, and they can feel feathers, fur and scales.
Marie lives at home with her parents in Westbourne Park, Scar-borough, and keeps her collection of animals – which range from chickens, frogs and guinea pigs to lizards, a Death Head cockroach, tarantula and Royal python.
She admits the diverse collection entails a strict feeding regime, but has all the information written down so she can keep track of it.
Marie launched her business last month and after some promotional work the requests for visits are coming in. On Saturday she’ll take some of the animals to the third birthday party of a friend’s son and on Thurs-day next week she will introduce the collection to residents and staff at The Hall home for the elderly in Thornton-le-Dale.
Meanwhile an open event is planned at Scar-borugh Library on March 21.
Marie can be contacted at marie@animals intuition.co.uk or 0771 749 2190
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Malton
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
