Belated introduction

[Auggie's Dad]

Well, I suppose since I never did give a proper introduction when I was new I could give one now as I just made "senior member" :04:

I'll be graduating this spring with honors with a degree in biomedical science and animal behavior and a minor in psychology. I will be entering a PhD program this fall in neuroscience and behavior. I have had several animal training jobs including military and police dogs as well as pets and performers. I have recently opened my own pet training business as well.

I am quite proud of my experience in animal behavior, training, and learning theory. However I have very little experience working with birds. I have very much enjoyed learning from many of the members here and have been pleasantly surprised by the quality of advice provided by most of the members of the forum.

The discussions here have provided a me a new learning experience. Sitting around with Auggie has helped me learn some, but in reading the Q&A here has given me a starting point for a new area of pet behavior research.

Other than being a complete nerd, studying, working for the chemistry and biology departments.... playing with Auggie.... well there isn't much else. But I have fond memories of having more free time that was spent playing guitar and piano or going out for a night of shooting pool.

Thats me in a nut shell.... or on crushed nut shells, I should really vacuum, and not let Auggie eat near the computer.

 

[Lori]

It's great to meet you. We do seem to cross post alot. Congrats on school. When you are done what kind of Job will you be looking for?

 

[Auggie's Dad]

I'll most likely be locked into academia for life, research and teaching.

I do value experience though as only so much can come from a book or lab. So I may take time of here and there if I can get spots at a zoo or similar park. I have yet to train dolphins, maybe take a sabbatical one year to work at sea world

But for the most part the career prospects are research and teaching.

 

[Lori]

I give you much deserved credit... Having 2 kids in college I know how hard it is. And expensive. My daughter will graduate in spring also.
Sea Word sounds like a great idea they have so many different species there it would be great to work with them. Best of luck.

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Thanks.

It's been pretty affordable, but thats with the GI Bill from the military, and PhD programs pay ... I'll get medical and dental, tuition wavers, and they'll pay me, just for being the nerd I am and learning more )

Just saw you're in MA, if all goes well thats where I'll be going to school. I was just visiting there recently. Beautiful area.

 

[Lori]

Which School are you looking at? I have been here all my life. There are some beautiful places here and some interesting ones as well.

 

[TexDot33]

I'm not really a nerd, but if someone wanted to pay me for it I am sure I could "act the part" *reaching for the scotch tape and fixing my glasses with it ... * THERE ... am I 'nerdy' enough?

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Hmm, well you sure look the part :22: ... but to get paid you have to actually be smart

 

[TexDot33]

What are you saying AD? I hope I have proven myself more than a few times ...

 

[Auggie's Dad]

I have very much enjoyed learning from many of the members here and have been pleasantly surprised by the quality of advice provided by most of the members of the forum.

Course you have.... and of course you know a hell of a lot more than me about photography. I'm just happy that the NIH and other big money government types find my hobby (animal behavior) worth throwing money at.

 

[TexDot33]

You mentioned the GI bill, are/were you Military? What branch?

 

[Auggie's Dad]

USMC four years active duty as a military working dog handler.

 

[TexDot33]

Well, my thanks to you for being part of the Military! I might not agree with the politics behind where you guys are, but you are there doing a job. You leave family, friends, and safety behind to do a job. You should be honored for that.

If I could do anything, put me in the cockpit of a F-18 or F-22A and let me loose ... asthma and 20/120 vision put a stop to that dream really quickly ... my grandfather flew in Korea (f-4s I am pretty sure) and to this day I wish I could do it ...

 

[Auggie's Dad]

I suspect you'd be hard pressed to find any military service-member who thinks we should be in Iraq.

 

[TexDot33]

I think you'd be hard pressed to find any U.S. Citizen who thinks we should be in Iraq ...

Let's not start this discussion ... too many emotions with this one ... I have had a step-brother and a friend over there, they are both home safely and I just can't image what it's like for those that don't come home ...

I don't know how many of you are Country Music fans, but Tim Macgraw has an amazing song out right now called, "If you're reading this" and I think that everyone should take a moment and listen to it!