Meet Lucy, who is currently completing her Level 3 Keep and Aquarist apprenticeship through Haddon Training at Longleat. Lucy shares how she first became inspired to work with animals, the accomplishments she’s most proud of, and her future aspirations in the field.
What inspired you to want to work with animals?
My biggest inspiration for working with animals definitely comes from Steve Irwin. I spent much of my childhood watching his show and I was always fascinated by him and everything he did. The passion he showed when talking about each animal—whether it was a massive crocodile or a tiny insect—was infectious. It was clear that he loved his job, and I wanted to experience that same joy.
What is an accomplishment you are proudest of so far?
I would have to say that my biggest accomplishment is getting over my fear of tarantulas. I’ve never been keen on spiders, and coming into this apprenticeship, I knew I would have to interact with tarantulas at some point. With the support and guidance of my colleagues at Longleat, I gradually built up my confidence. Now I can hold the tarantulas without any fear, which is something I’m truly proud of.
What is your favourite thing about doing an apprenticeship with Haddon Training so far?
My favourite part of the apprenticeship is that I’ve been able to massively increase my animal knowledge. I had very limited knowledge before joining, so I initially felt out of my depth. Thankfully, this apprenticeship at Longleat has not only expanded my general knowledge but also boosted my confidence in working with animals.
Once you have completed your apprenticeship, what are your hopes for the future?
In the future, I hope to continue working at Longleat. The team I get to spend every day with are wonderful, and some of the animals I work with are ones I’ve always dreamed of caring for. One day, it would be great to have the opportunity to work with the birds, as they are some of my favourite animals – I find them to be fascinating creatures.
Are you interested in a future career in the Keeper and Aquarist field? Find out more here.
We also offer a range of Animal Care qualifications, you can explore these here.
If you have any questions about our apprenticeships, please get in touch here.
