Holly

Hello

My name is Holly and I am a Data Scientist at The Donkey Sanctuary, where I have worked for almost two years. This role followed the completion of a BSc degree in Zoology with Employment Experience, for which I achieved a First Class Honours. I am a dog enthusiast and genuine animal lover and I look forward to looking after your pets with lots of love! Please note that I therefore work full-time and so would need to leave animals alone for around 7 hours on weekdays.

I have extensive work experience with animals, especially dogs, have owned a collie-labrador cross and a lurcher and often help to take care of a jack Russell-fox terrier cross and west highland terrier, which belong to other members of my family. Moreover, I have completed work experience with a dog behaviourist, observing a qualified behaviourist encourage owners to apply training techniques to help resolve undesirable behaviours, such as aggression.

In addition, whilst at university, I volunteered with a local dog shelter, working with a variety of different dog breeds with various health and mental problems. Furthermore, I carried out part-time work with a dog-sitting business, assisting in dog walking and flexible timing of house visits for busy owners and those with disabilities, alongside dog-boarding. I also currently volunteer for PAPAS and The Cinnamon Trust, walking Socks, Solar and Folly, who belong to elderly/disabled individuals who require assistance with the exercise of their pets.

As part of my A-levels, I carried out 1) an Extended Project Qualification addressing how different breeds of dog solve cognitive problems and 2) completed a diploma in animal management, during which I gained practical experience with a variety of domestic, livestock and exotic species.

I have also completed work experience at three veterinary surgeries and with WHF big cat sanctuary and I have volunteered at an RSPCA charity shop and local Equestrian Centre. Finally, as part of my degree, I completed a placement year with CIRCLE, a conservation charity based at Flamingo Land Zoo. Here I carried out research projects evaluating the optimal enclosure designs and husbandry practices for conservation breeding in endangered species, alongside volunteering on the zoo. The section I volunteered on (cleaning, feeding, administering medicines, training) included the hippos, giraffes, zebra, ostrich and rhinos. I am therefore a genuine animal lover, able to engage in manual labour and both reliable and trustworthy.

I hope to be giving your pets all the love they require in the near future!