Amy was born in Roseburg, Oregon, and visited Wildlife Safari many times while she was growing up.  One of her prized possessions is a picture of her with Damara the Cheetah taken when she Amy was five.

Amy has been involved in 4-H and FFA, and has lived on a farm for most of her life.  She loves animals, and any one who knew Amy realized that she was meant to work with animals.  When Amy was fifteen, she began volunteering at Wildlife Safari.  It was the middle of winter, and she got a good taste of what a zookeeper's job was like at the worst time of the year, and she stilled loved it!!

Amy's parents, Winnie and Tom, knew how interested she was, and were so dedicated that they drove her to volunteer every weekend.  "Thanks Mom and Dad"!

Amy was fortunate to have supervisors like Judy Harkleroad, who saw her potential.  That Spring she was hired as an attendant for the Park's new Petting Zoo.  She worked with the goats and the sheep for a little over two months.  Then she graduated from Douglas High School in Winston.  Eventually she was given more and more responsibility and filled in for the regular zookeepers now and then in the village.

Amy was hired as a Village Ranger after graduation, and still holds that job.

Amy has taken college courses, majoring in Agriculture, but has not yet gotten her degree.  School is very important to Amy, but for now she is totally in love with her job, and the incredible hands-on experiences and knowledge she is gaining everyday.  The experience is priceless.

Amy is now twenty-one, and has been a zookeeper for almost five years.  She helped raise many young hoffstock, cheetah cubs, and waterfowl.  She cares for a variety of primates, wolves, wallabies, and many other wonderful exotic and domestic creatures.  She says:  "How many people my age can say that?  If you are interested in any career, ask questions, volunteer, get involved, and see if it is something you really want to do.  Follow your dreams:  I did!!"