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."
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."
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!"
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!"
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."
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!"
Talina Huynh
"Hey there! I’m an undergraduate freshman at the University of Puget Sound studying Biology! Being native to the Salish sea and Tacoma, I have devoted my time in high school and college to study and make an impact in my environment. I have a background in animal husbandry where I previously interned at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium’s marine mammal department where I prepped diets, did daily feedings, and learned animal training! I also volunteered over 400 hours as a zoo guide educating guests about our animals and conservation efforts. Additionally, I have experience in farm and exotic rescue husbandry including the daily care of cows, sheep, chickens, camel, parma wallabies, and more. In my free time, I love tidepooling and seeing all the fun nudibranchs native to the Salish sea. I love what I do and hope to continue animal husbandry in my future!"
Lyric Abernathy
"I am currently a sophomore at Agnes Scott College, but I grew up in Seattle. My previous work experience has mostly been in tutoring and camp counseling, but I have also done volunteer work at a bird rehabilitation center and an animal shelter. I am hoping to go to Veterinary school after I graduate in two years and eventually become a practicing veterinarian! I am excited to work with Puget Sound Wildcare and gain more experience with wildlife."
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."
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."
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 :)"
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."