After high school I went to UCSD and majored in biochemistry. I then went to veterinary school at UC Davis and graduated in 1979. I did an equine surgery residency at Washington State, and then took my first job as the veterinarian (later the Director of Veterinary Services) for an animal park in Redwood City, CA called Marine World Africa USA in August, 1980. Later in 1980 I also because the Director of Veterinary Services for The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, CA and did both jobs until 1997 when I gave up the Marine Mammal Center but continued on at Marine World, which is now called Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. I left that park in 2003 and went on to become the Big Cat and Marine Mammal Specialist for the USDA, which is the job I still have. Most of my life has been wrapped up with working with animals but getting to travel the world doing that has been an amazing ride. Wouldn't trade it for anything! I'm still working full time for USDA but do plan to retire in the next year or so. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion!