I get to hug members of my family who volunteer as docents and helpers at zoos and wildlife/nature centers. I have a friend who sits with the elephants at our local zoo and tracks their behavior for hours on end. This valuable info helps scientific research at a fraction of the cost if the scientists had to sit there and do it. She loves it and waxes eloquent about the daily habits of the elephant. When we find injured birds or babies fallen out of nests, we know exactly who to call.

A family member who is a docent gets to not only prepare the food and feeding of bonobos, she gets to conduct VIP tours and support Make-a-Wish kids who’s one special last dream is to be a zookeeper for a day…mucking out stalls with a huge grin from ear to ear….it doesn’t get any better than that!!!!