Bermudaful Days…
Let’s see here, I meant to update last week, and now I have twice as much to talk about – so I’ll start with a few awesome days off.
Last week I was able to go out on one of the DQ trainer’s boats with a few interns and other trainers. It was freaking amazing. It was a beautiful day and we boated around a bit of the island, saw a shipwreck, and stopped around a bunch of reefs. We snorkeled for an hour or so there and then went and anchored at a smaller island and hung out there for a bit. The water was super clear and it just felt good to get out and do something different! We had a great time!
Yesterday, Catie and I had the day off together and decided to go to the Bermuda Zoo, Aquarium, and Museum (it’s all in one). So we ferried and bused to there, spent some time looking around at all the wonderful animals, and watched the seal feeding. After, we ran into someone who volunteers there who used to work for DQ, so we were able to get a behind the scenes tour of the facility. It was so fun! At DQ, we have on loan to us from the aquarium a green sea turtle, Challenger, so we got to meet his sisters that were there and another sea turtle who will be coming back to the DQ facility hopefully soon! After that, we bused back to Hamilton, where we went for lunner (late lunch, early dinner) at The Pickled Onion. We both had their famous burger, which was the best meal I’ve had yet here – so delicious! Then we got some ice cream cones and headed back on the ferry! Another awesome day off!
As far as working with the dolphins goes, again, I’m still learning a lot each day. Learning by observation and hands on as well as making my way through the trainer lecture series they have for the interns. I’m trying to learn more about each dolphin and what motivates them specifically as well as reinforces them specifically, not all dolphins are crazy motivated by food as much as other things! I’m also picking up on what each of the hand signals are for the dolphins and what to look for in the correct criteria for the behaviors! It is very interesting and fun!
Overall, things are going really well here. Today was not so fun to find out that Tory, the dog my mom had raised for Guide Dogs this last year was Career Changed, meaning she will not become a guide. But we are hoping she will be placed in a different kind of dog therapy organization, she’s the best and we don’t want her placed with just anyone! She has the potential to do great things!
I’ve officially been here a month now, and that means I’m a month away from having my family and boyfriend come out to visit! I’m very excited about that!!!
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