Veterans Zoo Keeper Program
Together with the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and the Currumbin Young Veterans Association our inpatient veterans and emergency services group are engaged in the Zookeeper program every Tuesday morning throughout the Queensland school term.
We are pleased to have announced the commencement of our community collaboration program on 3 May 2022. Together with the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and the Currumbin Young Veterans Association our inpatient veterans and emergency services group are engaged in the Zookeeper program every Tuesday morning throughout the Queensland school term.
This is an opportunity for our veterans to gain knowledge and skills, engage in a meaningful activity within the civilian community and experience positivity in their recovery journey.
The Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is able to accommodate participants who have physical injuries and/or disabilities by providing buggies so that they are able to access the various areas.
Our participants acknowledge the professionalism of their Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary instructor and are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this program.
Each week group members look forward to Tuesday morning and eagerly tell new participants about this activity. Building self esteem, encouraging engagement with an array of native and exotic animals this in turn leads to social interaction with each other and a real life experience of living in the present moment.
A metaphor for their own lives is Line. She is a 40 year old pelican who arrived at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary some years ago having been injured by fishing line (hence her name) that has resulted in her inability to fly. She has made her home on the lake and is hand fed daily by zookeeper staff, relying on a human support network for her wellness. Our participants are able to identify with Line, her permanent injury, learning to live a different life and accept support.