A Very Emotional Weekend….

Excitement, happiness, Joy, shock, nervousness, sadness… yep we’ve been experiencing them all here the past few days. I got some amazing news a few days ago, news that I’ve been hoping for and waiting for, for the last 8 months. I got accepted into a program called the Exotic Animal Training and Management Program. (EATM). It’s the only program of its kind (it’s been referred to as the Harvard of Animal Training), and they only take 52 students each year.  I have only told my family and a few close friends that I applied for it as I didn’t want to say anything unless I knew it was for sure. And now I know. so….. I’m moving to California!!!!!! In 2 MONTHS!!! yikes! and……all by myself.

This has been a lifelong dream of mine – to work with exotic animals and train them. I kind of thought it would always just be a dream, but it’s actually a reality now.

This 2 year program is intense – both academically and hands on. The EATM program is located at Moorpark College in Southern California and they have their own teaching zoo right there. Graduates of the program go on to work at zoos, SeaWorld, sanctuaries, train animals for TV/ Movies, and basically anywhere where animals are. If you know me in real life, you will know how much I love animals and how big a part of my life they have always been.

Getting accepted to this program really is a dream come true for me. I honestly thought I’d have to apply for a couple years before I would get in.

Needless to say I am thrilled! I am just a little stressed and nervous now cause I have to move my entire life to another country in 2 months and I’m not even sure where to start at the moment. How do I just pick up and go, leaving everybody and everything I love behind?

 

To explain how this all came about, I put together a little mini book: