Interns
Wildlife Rehabilitation
Everett Keltto
"My name is Everett, I'm a Washington grown animal lover who has a soft spot for opossums in particular. I recently graduated from Green River College with a two year degree and am looking forward to working with the animals to help guide my future career and see if that's where my passions lie."
Vivianna Nguyen
"I recently graduated from Washington State University (go Cougs!) with my Bachelor's of Science in Zoology. I have had the amazing experience of working in Petén, Guatemala with a nonprofit, wildlife rescue center known as ARCAS. There, I assisted with rehabilitating wildlife who were either injured, or were rescued from the illegal wildlife trade. The species I got to work with ranged from spider monkeys to scarlet red macaws, and many more! I learned many practical skills in exotic animal husbandry, behavior identification, environmental enrichment, and wildlife conservation medicine. I am so excited to apply all of those experiences towards pursuing a career in wildlife rehabilitation, conservation, and veterinary medicine!"
Matthew Smith
"Hello! I recently graduated from Seattle Pacific University with my bachelors of science in Ecology. I have grown up caring for domesticated animals such as dogs and chickens. I am now interested in working with wildlife animals to ensure their well being. I am also passionate about conservation efforts."
Alice Engler
"I have a BS in Biology from the University of Washington, with a focus on ecology, evolution, and conservation. I have always been fascinated by animals, specifically their diversity and physiology. I am equally a science-minded and creative person, and these traits guide my interactions with animals in the field. In the winter of 2024, I lived aboard crab fishing vessels as a fisheries observer in the Bering Sea, where I collected biological data and observed fishing activity for the Alaskan government. While I appreciated working on deck with live invertebrates and fish, I couldn’t interact with the animals in a way that fully reflected my values. I am now pursuing long-term work with wildlife that allows me to be compassionate with individual animals and effectively contribute to conservation efforts on a local scale."
Dylan Bement
"My name is Dylan, I am 22 years old and graduated from Decatur High School back in 2021. I spent a bit of time as an Animal Care Specialist at Petco and am now currently working as a Dog Walker/Pet Sitter for Frolic Pet Services. Before I had began any job though, I would spend my off-time volunteering for local animal rescues. When I was younger I loved helping out over at Serenity Horse Rescue in Maple Valley, and more recently have assisted the PNW Aquatics & Exotics Rescue in Tacoma. I would help them with a multitude of tasks such as enclosure cleanup/sanitation, transport of equipment/animals, graphic design/photography for social media, and presenting ambassador animals during public events and expos. Although working with more domestic animals has been fun, I have always dreamt of working alongside wildlife. During my time at Puget Sound WildCare I hope to further my education in wildlife conservation, learn from other rehabilitators, and discover what career options are out there!"
Matthew Kellegrew
"I studied Environmental Science at the University of Washington, and have worked in the King County Parks Department and Bothell Street Department. This is all to further my goal to have a job that gets me working outside in an effort to help wildlife conservation efforts or create sustainable land management programs."
Sinjin Smith
"I have a bachelors in conservation biology and ecology. I have experience working with domestic animals in a vet veterinary clinic. And I have experience working with captive animals during an internship. These animals included sea lions otters capybara’s and macaws."
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!"
Pre-Veterinary
Eden Olson
"Hello! I am a senior studying Animal Science at BYU-Idaho. I have always had a love for animals and caring for them, and doing research to know the best ways to help them. In the future I hope to be a veterinarian working in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. I've had opportunities to work closely with cats and dogs as a kennel tech, as well as other domesticated animals such as horses as a volunteer. I am looking forward to learning more about animal care for domesticated animals and wildlife alike here at Puget Sound Wildcare!"
Dalton Blackwell
"I'm a SCUBA field scientist by training and a recent graduate from the University of Washington in Marine Biology and Chemistry. I've done work with the WDFW and Hodin Lab in Friday Harbor to monitor urchin populations and release captive-reared sunflower sea stars. I hope in the future to do more monitoring work and research, and with this developing background as a veterinarian to provide unique physiological insight into the ubiquitous problem of Marine pollution. "
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 :)"
Conservation Engagement
Elizabeth Rosen
"Hello, my name is Elizabeth Rosen and I am currently a second-year student with junior standings at WSU. I am majoring in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation with a double minor in both Forestry and Zoology. I have previously interned at a wildlife rehabilitation facility in the past, where I gained experience in husbandry, handling, exams and more. As a result, I am eager to apply the hands on knowledge I have to educating others through outreach! My future career goals align with this, as once I graduate I aim to work in fields relating to wildlife and ecology."