I have always loved the ocean. My family and I went to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, each summer for vacation. I grew up in Connecticut and went to the beach whenever possible. I have always loved animals ... I actively participated in Vo-Ag and FFA (Future Farmers of America) in high school, worked at a veterinary clinic and raised chickens in my backyard (Yes, in the city!). But, it wasn't until the summer after my sophomore year in college that I realized I could merge my love of animals with the ocean into a career. I was an intern with a whale watching company and worked 7 days a week, 12 hours a day. I loved every minute of it. After that summer, I read all I could about dolphins and whales and wrote to scientists for more information.