Rachel Shanks joined the Wildlife Hospital team in April as the new Customer Care Coordinator. Shanks, who was a volunteer at the Wildlife Hospital during college, has been working in animal care, wildlife studies and veterinary services for a decade. In her new role, she greets animal presenters at the front desk as well as assisting with the InfoLine, coordinating wildlife releases and helping volunteers on-board and receive training.
Shanks is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University and is currently working toward a Graduate Certificate in Wildlife Conservation and Management at Oregon State University.
Shanks said she is thrilled to be back at Ohio Wildlife Center and is impressed by the growth of the organization since she volunteered at the hospital in 2008. “Everyone was always so caring and passionate about the mission and I knew if I ever had the chance I would love to be part of it again,” she noted. “The effort I see put forth here every day makes me so proud of the hospital team,” she said. “They make me want to work harder every day.”
Her new position is designed to streamline the presenter process and improve coordination and communication between staff, volunteers, and the public. Shanks said education is a key part of her role, helping presenters with questions and concerns about injured or orphaned wildlife and sharing the overall mission of Ohio Wildlife Center. The spring and summer season is fast paced, but that brings more opportunity to teach others about helping wildlife, she said.
“I am always so moved to talk with people each day who care so much about animals,” she said. “I also love seeing the excitement kids show when they are here helping animals. Many times it’s the children who actually find the animal and discover it is in trouble.”
On a recent day there were 97 animals brought to the Wildlife Hospital, and care is taken with each presenter and animal to make sure the transition is smooth and presenters feel comfortable as the animals are admitted, Shanks said. “The best part is when we have creatures brought to us for help and we have a wonderful success story.”
Shanks is also working toward expanding communications to volunteers and updates to presenters. “I want to create some new ways to celebrate our volunteers, they are all incredible people with very interesting histories and experiences.”