Interns
Wildlife Rehabilitation
Malia Wood
"Hi! my name is Malia, I am a sophomore at UW studying biology, I'm planning on going to veterinary school when I graduate and have a long term career goal of opening my own wildlife sanctuary. I have volunteered at many animal shelters in the past, and have gotten some impromptu experience helping rehabilitate multiple wild creatures. I have a huge passion for animals of all kind and cant wait to improve their in any way I can."
Danielle Privat
"I am a second-year undergraduate at the University of Washington Tacoma pursuing my BS in Environmental Science with a focus on conservation biology and ecology. I have a lot of animal handling experience working with domesticated horses, and I am so excited to broaden my knowledge by working with many different species of wildlife!"
Nathan Greenely
"I’m a student majoring in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences at Oregon State University, and I’m excited to be doing an internship with Puget Sound WildCare. I currently work as a special education paraeducator, where I’ve developed patience, adaptability, teamwork, and clear communication skills that I hope to bring to the day to day work of wildlife rehabilitation. Through this internship, I’m looking forward to learning more about the care and rehabilitation of local wildlife, understanding how a wildlife rehab center operates, and gaining practical experience that I can carry forward into a future career in wildlife conservation."
Julia Shreve
"I am currently going to UW Bothell for my Bachelors in Conservation and Restoration Sciences. I have lived in the Puget Sound my entire life, and have fallen in love with the wildlife here. Animals have always been my favorite thing in the whole world, and I am so excited to"be able to protect them!"
Jacob Rhodes
"I graduated from Portland Bible college studying music for 4 years and now I’m at Husson University studying wildlife care and biology. I have future career goals to work with wild animals doing rehabilitation and working in a zoo or different places in the world"
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Astrid Menges
"Astrid recently graduated from University of Colorado Boulder with a Bachelor of Arts in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and a minor in Art Practices. Throughout her undergraduate experience she aimed to combine her passion for conservation with her love of art. In the Spring of 2024 she completed a Tropical Ecology and Conservation program in Costa Rica where she got to experience learning about a diverse range of tropical species. She aims to gain more hands-on experience involving animal care and hopes to go into the field of wildlife rehabilitation."
Pre-Veterinary
Ashley Chung
"I am a current undergraduate senior double-majoring in Marine Biology and Oceanography at the University of Washington. A lot of my research has involved working with Dungeness crabs and studying zooplankton in the Puget Sound. I’ve also worked with COASST, a citizen science program dedicated to studying seabirds in the Pacific Northwest! My dream is to earn a Doctorates of Veterinary Medicine after graduating, and pursue a career as a marine mammal veterinarian specializing in aquatic medicine and surgery. I love any and all kinds of animals and am super passionate to dedicate my life towards helping them :)"
Jessica Carey
"Hi! My name is Jess and I am a junior at the University of Pennsylvania studying biology with a concentration in ecology and evolution. I have always had a passion for animals as I grew up around domestic animals, farm animals and wildlife. I have worked in the Penn Vet clinical lab where I have worked with vet techs to do tests so patients can be diagnosed and treated. I have done work in hematology, UA, and fluid chemistry. I have also volunteered at the Penn Vet Working Dog Center, where I had the pleasure of working alongside their search and rescue team to care for and train future search and rescue dogs. In the future I hope to attend veterinary school and become a wildlife veterinarian. With my time at Puget Sound WildCare I hope to develop my skills in animal care and help patients in a meaningful and hands-on way! During my free time, I love to go hiking, skiing, and going to local coffee shops."
Ayla Oliver
"I am currently a third-year student at Washington State University majoring in Zoology with a French minor. For the past seven years, I’ve volunteered as a Small Animal Care Assistant at the Whatcom Humane Society and completed an internship at their Wildlife Rehabilitation Center last summer. I'm also an officer of the WSU Zoology Club, which includes leading volunteer trips to a horse rescue in Idaho. After graduation, I plan to pursue a career as a veterinarian specializing in wildlife and exotic animals."
Joseph Issac Davis Stanger
"I have worked with animals since I was 5 years old. I have worked in the agricultural center at my university and have been trained to groom dogs when I was in high school. I plan to continue my education to fulfill my dream of practicing veterinarian medicine for the wildlife of the Pacific Northwest."
Yesenia Zwilling
"I am currently a junior at the University of Washington, majoring in biology (with a concentration in physiology) and getting a minor in Spanish. I currently work as a student assistant in the vet services department at UW and volunteer at a spay/neuter clinic when I have time. I want to become a veterinarian, but I'm not sure yet what specialty or species I want to focus on. So, I'm super excited to join Puget Sound Wildcare and learn more about the wildlife and pets that they care for!"
Shea Burke
My name is Shea Burke! I’m a pre-vet student at Princeton University, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Neuroscience. I’m also a D1 track and field athlete at Princeton! I’ve wanted to be a vet my whole life. I grew up with a full-on animal crew and loved every second of it. Fun fact, I never had a Barbie or an American Girl doll. Only stuffed animals and little figurines. At one point, I let people get in my head about the financial and emotional side of veterinary work, so I switched paths when I got to college. But in December 2025, it hit me. This is what I’m meant to do. No question. I’ve interned in psychology settings before, but I never felt that spark. Now I’m finally chasing something I already know and genuinely care about. I grew up around horses, so I have a strong background in equine life. I’ve also had all kinds of animals, cats, dogs, rabbits, hamsters, chickens, you name it. These days, I live on campus with my two Holland Lops and my hamster, and I’m getting an English Setter puppy in November 2026. I hope to become a small animal vet so I can build real relationships with clients, the psych side of me loves that. But marine wildlife vet med definitely has my attention too!!"
Miranda Wesley
"Hi! My name is Miranda Wesley and I am currently a sophomore at the University of Washington studying Biology. Im very passionate about conservation and animal care and am so excited to be working with Puget Sound Wildcare! In the past, I have volunteered at Seattle Area Feline Rescue as both a member of the cat care team and front desk operations. In the future, I hope to be a veterinarian and plan on applying to vet school after I graduate."
Rachel Larkins
"Hi! My name is Rachel I am a rising senior at the University of Puget Sound. I am studying Biology and Environmental Policy and Decision Making. I love pet sitting for a wide diversity of animals, dog walking, and pretty much anything that involves animals. At school, I am on the Pre-Vet track and I have dreams of attending veterinary school after graduating college."
Past 2026 Interns
Simone Ford
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Vaccinated against Rabies
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CPR and First Aid Certified
"My name is Simone. I am a sophomore at Maine Maritime Academy studying marine biology and small vessel operations. I have minimal experience working on farms and some experience taking care of pets (chinchillas, dogs, and cats). Currently, I am considering attending veterinary school after college, and eventually I would like to become a wildlife veterinarian."
Rina Sueyoshi
"I am currently a junior at Purdue University, majoring in Wildlife! I am also a part of two research labs, one focused on analysis of fish scale morphology and the other on tracking roost sites of White-throated Sparrows! In the future I hope to do work related to wildlife conservation and habitat restoration!"
Clarie Zhao
"Hello! My name is Clarie, and I am a current sophomore (rising junior) at Scripps College in Claremont, California. Last summer, I gained experience at the Seattle Humane Society working in their veterinary clinic while also assisting at a nearby veterinary clinic that worked with dogs and cats. Through these opportunities, I developed skills in patient restraint, animal handling, client communication, and compassion. I am excited about the opportunity to further develop my passion for animal care and wildlife rehabilitation through Puget Sound WildCare, and I plan to attend veterinary school in the future!"