Laura - Summer 2011
Laura Burleson had her first animal care internship at CARE in the summer of 2011. She spent the summer in record-breaking heat and drought caring for the 50+ big cats. Through this internship she found confidence and a voice she never knew she had. This internship prepared her for a successful career in animal care, and made her a stronger more confident person. After her internship, she came back to visit and work at CARE every chance she got, typically when on break from school, and developed a strong bond with the entire Krahn family.
After graduating from Delaware Valley College in 2013 with a B.S. in Conservation and Wildlife Management, she returned to CARE for several months to work and train interns. She was hired at the Dallas Zoo in 2013 and has been there since, working primarily with African hoof-stock. She still visits CARE as often as possible, though not as often as she'd like, and remains close with the Krahn family. She even had Heidi officiate her wedding in April 2018! Laura most appreciates her time at CARE for showing her how to devote every part of her being to the life of an animal, for teaching her perseverance, dedication, and resilience, and for providing her with a family (animal and human alike) she can rely on to bring her joy no matter what.
