Being a keeper-in-training at Jungle Friends for the past 6 month has been a major learning experience for me. I have learned how to put my own desires and needs aside in order to handle the responsibilities that come with taking care of nineteen monkeys, three birds, four cats, and a dog. Only recently have I begun to really understand what it takes to be a keeper. I attribute this knowledge to Kari Bagnall and Erin Ehmke, who have put me through rigorous training recently in order that I may achieve my “keeperhood” before I graduate. I have gained a newfound respect for these two women whose lives are completely and undoubtedly dedicated to these monkeys. In order to truly learn what running a sanctuary involves, I watched the sun rise and set on Jungle Friends every day for a week. This was the ultimate training course on how to be a zookeeper.

John has graduated college and now works at a zoo.