Zovargo Internship Testimonials

“My time with Zovargo exceeded all expectations I had for an internship! The skills I’ve gained are truly invaluable and the growth I have seen in myself is like no other! The culture cultivated by Amanda and Larry breeds creativity, support and inspiration! I could not express how highly I value my time here at Zovargo!”

“I have always believed that education is the first step in making a positive change in the world, and Zovargo upholds this idea to the highest standard. Seeing first hand the impact i have on people of all ages has been one of my most rewarding experiences and is something i hope to continue in the future. Zovargo has helped me grow not only as a professional but also as a person. I have learned invaluable skills from Zovargo- techniques to become an engaging presenter and the ability to interact with audience members to help them learn about conservation. Zovargo has given me the confidence to speak in front of large numbers of people and to continue to spread my passion of conservation awareness. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to be a part of this team. ”

“I worked with Zovargo through a Child and Family development lab at San Diego State University. Never would I ever have believed I would get the opportunity to work at a Zoo! With little to no prior knowledge of most of Zovargo’s animal ambassadors, my love for the world and its living creations drove me to choose Zovargo as my work site as it showed many of the same values. My career path of working with people to make the world a better place was significantly expanded as I learned and experienced so much during my time with Zovargo. Each program I participated in captivated the audience. I witnessed extremely diverse audiences form everlasting connections to animals and the Earth itself. Animals and our environment are powerful tools that bring people together in magical ways. I have already incorporated Zovargo’s message into multiple other domains of my life, and I am inspired to continue to do so well into the future.”

“Working with Zovargo has allowed me to expand my knowledge and gain hands-on experience with animals in a professional setting. It’s such a rewarding program and you can feel how much guests care about every animal. We have a wonderful opportunity to directly interact with the minds of the future and there is really nothing like it anywhere else. Working here has opened so many doors for me and I couldn't imagine my life without this internship.”

“To all animal lovers, educators, and students Zovargo is a perfect experience to help spread your passion for animals, conservation and learning all around San Diego County. I recommended Zovargo to my family and friends and they love the work they do. Zovargo is a wonderful organization that teaches us to connect with nature and to connect with people that share the same passion and love for animals.”

“I joined Zovargo because I believe that a huge part of conservation is the involvement of the public audience through education, and this is the mission that Zovargo is built upon. With Zovargo I have gotten to do some absolutely incredible programs for the people of San Diego, all while getting to know some amazing animals and introducing them to audiences of all ages and sizes. And I was surrounded by a team of people who were just as passionate about animals and conservation as I was, which made it all the more fulfilling! I have made strides in my skills as an educator, a public speaker, and as an animal handler that I never could have imagined before starting at Zovargo. I am so grateful for the hard work and support of my Zovargo family, and hope that this organization will continue to share the message of wildlife conservation for many more years.”

“Working with Zovargo has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have had. I stumbled across Zovargo when I was in search of an internship required for my college degree and I could not have interned at a better place. Amanda and Larry are extremely dedicated to not only Zovargo but also to their interns. I felt supported and seen by them throughout my internship which was much needed in times where things felt overwhelming. The founders treated everyone as equals and always provided support when asked. While interning with Zovargo does take a lot of dedication and work, I have come out of my internship as a more confident and skillful person filled with amazing memories I will carry with me forever. Zovargo, Amanda, Larry, and all of my fellow interns and volunteers made this experience something truly special that I will not be able to find anywhere else. ”

“I am a Child and Family development major at SDSU, I chose Zovargo as one of my internships for a graduation requirement. Being an intern at Zovargo was an incredibly fulfilling and amazing experience. Throughout my internship I not only was able to work with children of all ages but deliver the message of animal conservation. Zovargo aims to touch the heart and teach the mind, which anyone can say this goal is accomplished at every program Zovargo is a part of. Being able to educate kiddos is great in itself, but Zovargo gives the opportunity to foster human-animal connection through unique encounters which I believe is how children learn the best. After any Zovargo program all children and adults can take away so much regarding animal conservation and leave with a smile on their face. I am so lucky I got to be a part of Zovargo, even with the short amount of time I had this internship helped me grow professionally and personally. ”

“Zovargo isn’t a place, it’s a lifestyle. I have never met anyone more committed to a cause than Amanda and Larry and, I have been very fortunate to find myself interning at Zovargo. Not only have I learned about all the amazing superpowers that our animal ambassadors have but I have been able to develop my superpower, being an animal educator. I came to Zovargo terrified of public speaking. The mere thought of it would make my hands sweat and my heart race but over time, with the encouragement and support from Amanda and Larry, I was less scared something I never thought possible. There are few places that offer the kind of training and experience that Zovargo has to offer. You get to work with all kinds of animals, from fluffy bunnies to tiny death-feigning beetles. I only wished I had more time to spare to continue working at this wonderful organization. For anyone looking to save the world and promote animal conservation, Zovargo is the place for you.”

“This internship taught many important skills concerning public speaking, working with a team, and time management. Every event included new and unique experiences, and I learned how to effectively adapt to any obstacle and situation that appeared in my path. Even if my presentations did not go the way I planned, the Zovargo founders always gave constructive advice to help me improve! I quickly had to become comfortable speaking in front of a crowd, and I learned to improvise in the heat of the moment by building off other Zovargo members’ points. Although at times this made me nervous, it is an imperative skill that I will utilize in my professional career. ”

“I had an amazing experience at Zovargo due to its many special characteristics. The staff and interns were always welcoming since day 1, easing any nerves I had. The most incredible part was getting to meet the many exotic animals and having the chance to build a relationship with them. I was able to strengthen my animal husbandry and animal handling skills. I also got the chance of strengthening my public speaking skills through the many programs I attended.”

“None of my other education experiences have even come close to the joy I felt when teaching with Zovargo. Each program and interaction was deeply rewarding and I always walked away feeling like I made a difference in peoples’ lives. This internship allows you to grow not only as a presenter, but a person as well. Every audience, intern, and animal will teach you something new and exciting as you’re always challenged to become better.

I loved being able to bring my own personality and experiences to this internship to make my Zovargo experience something that was personal and tailored to me, and I had a LOT of fun doing it. One last time on the count of three, ZOVARGO!”

“Zovargo has given me an opportunity to grow toward my passion as well as shape me into a more well-rounded person. Serving my community, communities around the country, and even past that has been such an empowering experience. Having the opportunity to educate hundreds of people about animal conservation in such a short time frame has truly been one of the most rewarding things in my life thus far. Thank you Zovargo for giving your intern educators an opportunity to grow and share their love for animals and humans alike.”

“Zovargo gave me a thorough introduction to animal education. Not only have I learned how to handle and care for a wide variety of animals, I have been pushed in public speaking abilities. Whatever you want to pursue in life, Zovargo will teach you something that you can apply to that field.

Everyone in Zovargo is welcoming and they truly want you to learn and get better at whatever you are working on. The environment is focused, yet lighthearted and silly. I will miss Zovargo, but the people, animals, and skills that they taught me will never be forgotten. ”

“This is a fun and neat program filled with committed like minded people. At Zovargo I learned to become more confident speaking in front of people. When I was in college, I took a public speaking course and I just remember absolutely hating the class because I could never get comfortable speaking in front of the class. But here, Larry and Amanda were encouraging and constructive with the way that they teach their interns and it benefited me greatly. In many ways, I became a different person because of this experience. I know now that I can be self-assured not only in front of a crowd but with people individually as well.

I am proud to say that I was apart of this team and I really enjoyed my time at Zovargo. The experience I have received from interning at Zovargo is priceless and will be used in my future endeavors. ”

“Zovargo has been a great opportunity for me to expand my passion for conservation while building valuable skills along the way. Zovargo really cares about the causes they support and teach about, and always have the animals’ best interest in mind.”

“My time at Zovargo made two things very apparent: Zovargo indeed has a big passion for conservation and getting others on board for it and cares so much for their interns and program attendees. The team is able to share their heart for conservation and animal education in a way where anyone can understand it and walk away from a program having learned something new and be more interested in the world of animals and or the environment. It was very cool to have the opportunity to see behind the scenes and be a part of all the hard work that goes into running things smoothly along with gaining unique skills along the way. ”

“I was first drawn to Zovargo’s internship program because of the work they do with animals. While I have enjoyed working with all of the animal ambassadors, I have also gained so much knowledge as to how I can educate others about these animals and the ways people can help these animals in return. It’s a great feeling to know that you have helped others learn about animals and conservation and that they might spread that knowledge even further.”

“I had the pleasure of interning with Zovargo and it’s an amazing organization. Being a part of their team was a phenomenal learning opportunity; not just in animal care and handling but also for communication and education. They strive to provide the top care and respect for each and every animal ambassador. Being a part of their programs, I could see just how much children and adults of any age enjoyed them. Even virtually, seeing the countless smiles and looks of excitement upon seeing each amazing animal will be part of memories I treasure. Whether it’s a birthday party, a school program, or a Girl Scout badge opportunity, Zovargo is able to provide a unique and fun experience that everyone will love.”

“After previously doing an internship on campus through my university’s aquarium, I felt like I did not gain the proper skills to become an animal educator. Once I was able to earn an interview with various wildlife institutions in San Diego, I always found myself never moving past the interview process. I was looking for ways to expand my animal education skills, and gain more experience with animals so I stumbled upon Zovargo’s internship program and decided to apply. The internship with Zovargo is rigorous but within good reason, you earn the proper skills to become a successful educator. Zovargo also has a wide variety of animals so I was able to earn experience with mammals, inverts, reptiles and amphibian and learn about their husbandry, which was the best part of the internship for me. ”

“If you love animals and you’re thinking about becoming an educator, I don’t think you could find a better opportunity than interning with Zovargo. Not only will you get a lot of experience teaching and working with cool animals, Amanda and Larry provide so much support to help you grow your knowledge and skills. ”

“I accidentally stumbled across Zovargo while looking for a way to develop my skills in conservation education and presenting to large groups of people and I am so glad I followed through with my decision to join their team. Without the experiences I have had with Zovargo, I would not be the educator I am today.

Amanda and Larry are some of the most passionate people I have ever met and it shines brightly through their work and dedication to this organization and animals. The internship taught me how to be fun and silly while talking about important conservation topics that will inspire future generations to love and appreciate animals.

The internship is a MUST if you love animals and want to make a positive change in the community and the world. ”

“I loved my time with Zovargo! It pushed and tested me in many ways. I took steps outside my comfort zone and had the support of a great team to back me up.

This internship gave me some wonderful friends and showed me what I’m capable of. Every educator is so invested in the program and helping teach people about the amazing creatures they work with and how the things you do everyday can impact the world. I’m so grateful for the connections and tools Zovargo has given me!”

“Since I was little, I knew that I wanted to work with animals. The trick with that is trying to find and obtain the right experience to pursue your career goals. When I found Zovargo, I was still in high school and had barely just turned eighteen. The only animal experience I had was with the animals on my ranch and through volunteering at the Arizona Humane Society. To my surprise, Amanda and Larry took a chance on me. While I have gained so much experience handling and taking care of various animals, the most important skill that I have taken away from this internship is being an educator. 

It is a powerful thing to inspire conservation and compassion for animals and the environment. Through every single program I attended, I got to be apart of Zovargo’s mission. Speaking to large or even small audiences may seem scary at first, but the point of the internship is to grow into an amazing educator. Amanda and Larry are there to be your mentors, as they have been for me. On top of creating, changing, and updating programs, Amanda and Larry put an endless of effort into ensuring that all their educators have the right tools to be successful through the entirety of their internship. 

While the internship is a six month minimum, I decided to stay for a year and a half! Up until, Amanda and Larry decided to take me on as a Senior Educator! I can truly say that Zovargo offers so much opportunity. Not only within the organization, but all over as well! 

Unfortunately, my time with Zovargo had to end because I had to move to Texas. If it weren’t for Zovargo, I would not be able to pursue my new career in wildlife rehabilitation. I cannot thank Amanda and Larry (and Zovargo as a whole!) enough for mentoring me, encouraging me, and allowing me to grow through this organization and beyond.”

“Through my internship experience with Zovargo I have been able to acquire skills in animal handling and interactions while teaching various audiences about conservation efforts. An amazing stepping stone towards a career with animals.”

“I found Zovargo at a very strange and important time in my life. It was the Summer of 2017 and I had just graduated from a good school with a brand new degree in Biology. I also had loans, bills, and lots of reality to contend with (in some ways for the first time ever), and no idea how I was supposed to go about carving a meaningful career in the midst of all of this. I allowed myself to get off-track, maybe even a little lost.

I found Zovargo during this time, and it was exactly what I needed: an opportunity to work with animals while being immersed in conservation and ecology and all the science-y things I’ve always loved. It very quickly became much more than that, in ways that I was not at all prepared for. Almost immediately, I found myself getting comfortable speaking in front of an audience. The public speaking aspect of Zovargo had initially frightened me, and it did take a couple of programs to really ease the trembling from my hands and voice, but my fellow educators were right there with me, making the whole thing much less intimidating. Being able to effectively educate a large group of people is an incredibly empowering skill, and I am so thankful that I was given the opportunity to develop in this way.

Amanda and Larry pour so much work, effort, and love into every aspect of Zovargo. As an intern, I was constantly being offered new tools to help me develop as an educator, as well as endless encouragement. They also absolutely love every animal ambassador as a a member of the family, which was how I knew immediately that I had found the right place. Working with Zovargo’s animal ambassadors has been deeply rewarding in ways that I don’t think I can properly describe. I have learned so much, and gained so much valuable experience as both an educator and as someone looking forward to a career in wildlife research. And I’m not done yet! My internship started in September of 2017 and ended eight months later when I became a Senior Educator and permanent member of the Zovargo team. Since this promotion, I have been entrusted with increasing amounts of animal care as well as educational program development. I decided pretty early on that I was going to give my all to Zovargo, and Amanda and Larry have responded with encouragement and enthusiasm that still knocks the wind out of me from time to time. The idea “you get out what you put in” is an old one and is often bandied about, but in this case, IT’S TRUE! ”

“I first discovered Zovargo completely on accident, stumbling across a post online. I knew I loved animals and wanted to help make an impact, and I thought “maybe this is a good place to start”. I couldn’t have been more right. Zovargo completely changed me in more ways than one. They helped me learn more about not only a wide variety of animals but also conservation, how we interact with the Earth and how to improve that, and how to most effectively spread that message. Seeing children’s faces light up as they get to meet new animals and watching them get so excited to learn about what they’re seeing is incredibly rewarding! Zovargo also constantly supported me and pushed me to help me become a better educator, a better public speaker, and a better steward for the environment. More importantly, possibly, they did all this while also providing me a community of like minded people, inspiring role models, and amazing experiences.

The connections I made during my time with this program lasted well through my internship and employment all the way to today. I loved every minute of my time with Zovargo and highly recommend it to anyone considering an internship or career in animal education or conservation. Zovargo changed my life, and it will change yours too. ”

“Being a part of Zovargo has been one of the most amazing opportunities that I have come across to this day. I found Zovargo after graduating from college and I was at a point of defeat from the many job and internship applications that I had turned in with no luck. I had almost decided to take a break from searching when I decided to look one more time for potential work in my field and that is when I found Zovargo. I am so grateful that Amanda and Larry took a chance with choosing me to become one of the Zovargo team members because it turned out to be such a transformational and developmental time for me.

Over the year that I interned with Amanda, Larry, and the other fellow educators with Zovargo, I grew in so many ways and my initial idea of a dream job had begun to expand with the new knowledge I had acquired. I knew Zovargo was going to be exciting because it allowed me to work with so many different animals, but not only that, I was going to be sharing the beauty of wildlife and helping others grow to love and strive for wildlife conservation like I have always wanted to do. Zovargo is truly a family of supportive and fun members with the same goal in mind… help share the message of conservation. I was so lucky to have these intelligent minds around me during my time interning and it is because of them that I have more confidence in pursuing a career helping wildlife.

Initially, the idea of presenting to the public and speaking in front of large crowds was very scary, but this is by far where I have grown the most. I am so grateful to have learned the skill of public speaking because it is something that I can now confidently do and carry with me through life and use in my future. I was able to grow so much here because of the incredible team that makes up Zovargo. Every program I would be at, I knew there was the Zovargo crew to help and support each other in getting our message out and helping each other become better at what we do. Without Zovargo I would not be able to put myself in front of large groups and speak to them like I can today.

Being a Zovargo educator intern has undoubtedly opened different and exciting doors and provided me with new tools to take with me as I pursue working with wildlife. The support that Amanda and Larry provided to me, always ready to help with and answer my questions if I had any, helped me feel comfortable and confident during my time interning. They were always encouraging and ready to give feedback if I wanted it, which allowed me to continuously work on bettering my abilities. The connections I made with the animal ambassadors will never be replaced or duplicated as I got to know each ones individual and unique personality while I worked closely with them during the educational programs and animal care and they will always have a special place in my heart.

A year with Zovargo has given me so many new possibilities for my future. I am so grateful for the organization and the team members, that are now friends for life, as I continue my path.”

“Zovargo is such a close knit group and it feels so good to have these people as my friends! I love being around and learning about animals and it’s so amazing to find people who are just as into that as I am! I really enjoyed my experience as a Zovargo intern! Teaching kids how to love and respect animals is so rewarding!”

“I worked with Zovargo as an Animal Educator Intern and I can honestly say it was one of the BEST experiences I have had since I moved to San Diego. Zovargo not only provided me with new knowledge on animals I had never worked with, but sparked my passions for critters I never knew I could love (Grace!). Amanda and Larry provided such great materials for their interns, allowing us to be fluent in animal behavior and education while we were presenting. They allowed us to be independent on stage but always reassuring us they were there to back us up. Creating connections with Leo, Chico, Baby Bird, and even the cockroaches only affirmed what I have always believed to be true about animals: their hearts are purer than gold. Did you know cockroaches can have personalities? I learned that from experience! Being with Zovargo made me feel like a part of something greater in my community and I am forever thankful for the time I spent with them.”

“My first Zovargo event, I met the love of my life. His name was Chico and he melted my heart. I stood in awe as this bird was gingerly perched upon an educator’s index finger and fluffed his feathers, a puffball of sunshine. I broke my gaze and noticed the crowded room full of dropped jaws and gleaming eyes. Kids turned to their friends, who were strangers seconds before, cooing about how handsome Chico was, and—what?! His superpower is that he is super smart?! Incredible. Once Leo, our Bengal Cat Ambassador, was on the prowl, tiny hands reached out as if to see if this spectacular moment was merely a mirage. The tentative touches led to a sea of smiles. The whole room was lit up with joy!

This is the impact of Zovargo.Anyone can spit out a couple animal facts or a choppy conservation message, but Zovargo takes the time to tailor programs to different people and learners. Nobody wants to be talked at or lectured. Zovargo not only makes “science come to life” and learning addictive, but people have the opportunity to safely interact with all types of animals and build memories to last a lifetime!”

“I had to opportunity to intern with Zovargo for six months. What an amazing experience! Amanda and Larry truly care about these animals. They really do practice what they preach. It was amazing to see how much time and effort they relentlessly poured into Zovargo.

Being an intern at Zovargo helped me gain many skills, including animal handling, public speaking, and learning how to connect with all sorts of people. I was often a shy speaker, but Zovargo helped me learn how to pour my passion for animals into my talks. Before I had never handled many of the species that Zovargo includes. Through this program I was quickly taught how to properly handle and care for all the different kinds of creatures. I would highly recommend interning here if you are interested in any career related to animals. Lastly, interacting with strangers at events helped me learn how to connect with people of all types and ages, and I became excited about sharing the love I had for animals with them.

I will never forget the rewarding experiences that Zovargo provided. The Zovargo team is truly an amazing group to work with. Every member deeply cares about the Zovargo mission.”

“I worked with Zovargo as an intern for six months beginning in February 2016 and had an amazing experience. Amanda and Larry make excellent leaders by modeling real dedication to their mission and striving always for excellence in their programs.

A big part of the animal internship program was training. Amanda has a wealth of experience and knowledge related to interpretation/education, and she was highly effective in passing on some of her skills to me. I was able to grow from a nervous and unsure educator at my first programs to the confident Animal Educator I am today, able to lead solo programs and assist in training other interns. Now at the end of my time with Zovargo, I can reflect on my experiences as both challenging and extremely rewarding. The atmosphere working with the team is one of acceptance and inclusion, and I walk away having built lasting friendships.

Thank you Zovargo! To anyone considering working with them or booking them, I recommend it wholeheartedly!”

“I had such a wonderful experience with Zovargo as one of their educators! Amanda and Larry are so passionate and it shows through their dedication to Zovargo. They gave me a place to share my passion for conservation education. Nothing beats the feeling of seeing someone understand their impact on the environment and realizing you helped make a difference. It’s not just facts! It’s a delivery in such a way that it is both entertaining and educational for everyone involved. ”