Becky McConnell  -  Liverpool, England

At home for me, my job is less than exciting and everyday is the same. I have always loved animals and whilst studying Biology at university quickly realised I would love a job involving environmental conservation, but in which area? I had no idea. So whilst looking for conservation internships my friend Clare suggested Critter Care, it sounded great and the idea of moving to Canada for 4 months was so exciting. When I got accepted even though I had looked through the website I had no idea I would be gaining so much hands on experience.

The majority of the animals at Critter Care I had only ever previously seen on pictures or television, one of those animals was the Beaver. I was given the responsibility of caring for our two in-care beavers, Lenny and Lucy, and had no idea how much I would fall in love with them. Working with them everyday, seeing them progress as they grew older was brilliant. I was able to watch them develop their swimming skills, begin to build, and of corse gnaw on EVERYTHING! They really were the most entertaining when they had no idea I was watching and they have made my time here truly interesting and enjoyable, so much so, I very much hope to work with beavers in some way in the future.

Along with the beavers I was given a young flying squirrel (Taz) to care for who was weaned from milk but still seemed reluctant to eat solid food. This meant syringe feeding him in addition to his food plates, providing a completely new experience for me, one which was so different to looking after the beavers. The beavers on the whole are pretty independent, so to then be given an tiny animal that depends on you to physically feed it, for me it was so nerve racking. But as you see your animal improve and put on weight it's a great feeling of achievement and I was so proud of Taz. There was then an equally great feeling once he was big enough to be weaned of syringe feeding and put outside into a bigger enclosure.

Looking back to my first week I remember feeling a little lost and completely out of depth, other interns around me making everything look like it came so natural to them. Then watching my first raccoon handling all I remember thinking is there was no-way I would ever be able to do that. But you do, and you gradually become more comfortable around the raccoons and the other animals. I can't explain how valuable I believe the hands on work is here, I believe its something you cannot learn in education or by simply being told, it has to be an experience you go through. I now understand why potential employers highly value previous work experience.

The work here IS hard, exhausting and frustrating at times and can be upsetting, especially when you become emotionally attached to an animal, but for me, it's completely worth it. When I arrived at Critter Care it was not the busiest time of the year and things didn't change day to day however, every week there was something new to learn, every animal case is different and that is one of the most exciting aspects of animal rehabilitation.

Being an intern at Critter Care has honestly been a wonderful experience and I believe a big part of that experience is living on site with other interns. When you're the new intern its a nervous environment to enter in to and for a short time it can feel lonely, but once settled that all went away for me. Working with people who are experiencing new things alongside you can make everything less terrifying and the less exciting jobs more enjoyable. Then being able to talk, rant, laugh and joke about your day to people who have more than likely been through similar things through their day, it can be a real comfort. Along with all that almost everyone I have met here is a Critter Care nerd - and it's really great, its something you can't help getting completely involved in here. Although I have truly loved the work here I know my stay would not have been so special without the people I have met. I have laughed a lot! - at myself, others but I must say also at the animals, they really are so interesting and funny to watch, making all the effort worth it.