Growing Up With the Zoo: HOPe Community and College Navigation Member’s successful self advocacy as a volunteer and college student
Image Caption and Credit: Caleb, a HOPe Career and College Navigation member volunteers at Franklin Park School and is pursuing education at Massasoit College to be a zookeeper. Image Credit: Caleb Howland
Lions. Tigers. Hyenas. These are just a few of the animals that Caleb, a Franklin Park Zoo Volunteer, and HOPe Coaching and College Navigation member lists as his favorite animals. Studying biology at Massasoit Community College, Caleb hopes to pursue a career in Zoology.
Caleb has been a volunteer at Franklin Park Zoo for five years. He was first drawn to a possible career when he met the big cats at the zoo, especially a white tiger named Luther, a tiger name Anala, and a lion named Christopher.
“ As a five-year volunteer, I’ve grown up with some of the animals I’ve met at the Zoo. I’ve witnessed change at the zoo and certainly, met alot of animals I’ve never seen before. Franklin Park was the first zoo I’ve seen a lion, gorilla, anteaters, and African wild dogs.“
In his role as a volunteer, Caleb works closely with guests at the zoo but he also gets to learn about the conservation efforts at Zoo New England, which is comprised of Stone Zoo and Franklin Park Zoo in Massachusetts, and new animal species:
“ I like the staff and volunteers and conservation program; Zoo New England as a whole. I like meeting guests at the zoo. I would like to be involved in the future. They are doing programs on elephants and rhinos who are at risk of being endangered. I also like learning about new species. The zoo just got a new animal: a Somali Wild Ass. Yes, that’s its name. They are a critically endangered species due to habitat loss and poachers. Only a few zoos have them in the US.”
To support a busy schedule as a student and volunteer on the autistic spectrum, Caleb works weekly with House of Possibilities’ Coaching and College Navigation (CCN) program - formerly Autism Support Services.
Caleb has learned organizational skills and self-advocacy. He recently practiced new skills to change his schedule to accommodate his needs as an employee on the spectrum:
“ I used to work on Saturdays but it was really busy. I realized that environment wasn’t for me and I shifted my schedule to Mondays. I like talking to people but, on less busy days, I get to see animals one-on-one. You can get to know animals and build a bond. Everybody at the zoo - staff, guests, and volunteers have a great relationship with the animals.”
When asked about his Favorite Zoo memory, Caleb recalled an interaction with a curious camel:
“ During the pandemic, I had to clean the windows and not see guests. The animals thought I was a zookeeper as I was cleaning the windows of exhibits. The camels followed me every day as I cleaned the windows, thinking I was a zookeeper feeding them.”
We can’t wait to hear more about Caleb, the Zookeeper’s adventures. Keep up the great work, Caleb!