Catching up!

Well.  It has been a while since I have posted anything & I definitely have some updates.
Back in October I switching my volunteer work.  I am still volunteering for the VA Aquarium, however instead of working at the main building I am now volunteering with the Stranding Center.  This is a much better fit for me, and I am really enjoying it!  The best thing about them that I enjoy and hope to continue with in the future is their primary goal after rescue is rehab and release.  In addition they do research to ensure they understand what is happening in the marine mammal community.  Here is a link to them:
VA Aquarium Stranding Team
Much of what I do for them includes feeding and cleaning.  But occasionally I get to do some much more wonderful, amazing things.  Some examples of this include: in October I was called to see if I could help with a dolphin stranding; I wasn't available, but was excited for the opportunity.  In November I got to participate in the pick up of a live Loggerhead turtle!  The turtle was named Turkey due to the time of year it was picked up (of course, I suggested Hokie!).  It was really a wonderful experience.  I rode with another volunteer and a staff member to go pick it up.  We got it back to the stranding center and once there, they needed to get fluids into him, so I got to hold Turkey up by supporting his head in one hand and holding his shell and the bulk of his weight up towards my body with the other hand.  S/He is still in the stranding center recovering well from pneumonia and cold shock.
Then in December, I got to participate in a seal necropsy.  It was the first large animal necropsy I had ever been involved in and it was SUPER cool!  I really thought it was very interesting and was glad to learn that I had no problems stomaching it either.  That's a good thing, since I am sure to have more of these in my future.  I just recently learned that the team has a new patient in house: a young harbor seal named Puddy.  I hope that he will still be there when I am in next time.
I have a few more updates, so I will post again in the next few days.
Happy New Years Eve!