Volunteer Katelyn is in training to be a caregiver. We like to think of training as not only a time to teach people about chimp behaviors and how to safely interact with the chimpanzees, but it’s also a time to foster new friendships. The process usually takes several months beginning with the trainee sticking close to the trainer until gradually the trainer gets further and further away and the trainee gains more independence. It’s a fun process to watch, especially when you watch the chimps become more and more comfortable with the person, and watching their friendship begin. That’s what I witnessed today with Katelyn. She hasn’t had many interactions with the chimpanzees, but today we spent a good deal of time interacting with almost everybody! We played tug of war with Missy and a sock, and Annie came over and tickled the back of Katelyn’s hand– a rare treat! Later, we spent some quality time with Foxie in the greenhouse. Foxie was so playful! She literally rolled the entire length of the deck during a chase game– a sure sign that Katelyn going to be a fun friend.
I feel I should point out that Katelyn and I are standing on different steps in the next couple of photos 😉
I just watched Project NIM last night and it broke my heart. I don’t know if you all at CSNW have seen it… it’s very hard to watch. It made me very grateful for sanctuaries for these abused chimpanzees. Just wish we could leave them in their native lands to begin with, but since they’re here, I’m glad there are great caregivers like Katelyn and the rest of you to treat chimps with the respect they deserve. Good luck with your new responsibilities, Katelyn!
Katelyn is going to love it, she couldn’t have a better group of chimps to train her properly. I don’t think any of the seven have a mean bone in their body. I know the four that I used to care for don’t. Those four being Annie, Negra, Foxy, and Jody.
The 7 always strike me as being good natured. Did you know them from long ago when they were in Buckshire or after they got to sanctuary? I’m just curious what certain humans may have done to help them survive the lab setting. It certainly was true in what I read in The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary, how Nancy Megna helped those young chimps, who later got out and went to Fauna.
Looks like you are certainly in, Katelyn–Congratulations to you and Jackie’s training.
Thanks so much to everyone for your good wishes! I definitely feel like the luckiest lady in all the land! 🙂 It’s an incredible honor just to be in the presence of the chimpanzees, doing what I can to make their day better or hopefully, interesting. But being able to have the chimps invite me to interact with them, or just show an interest, is such a privilege. Given their histories, their resiliency and willingness to do this is astounding to me. I often feel rather badly in that I am sure they enrich my life more than I could ever hope to enrich theirs. And I am so incredibly fortunate to be trained by such an amazing team of people who make the safety and well being of the chimps, as well as all of us, the priority at all times. I am going to be up all night counting my lucky stars (and intermittently squeaking out loud). 😉
So, for a little bit I was envious Katelyn, but I got over it 🙂 ! I just want you to kind of “do it for all of us” every day, those precious moments we must see in snippets from afar, you are living! Well, we are with you in spirit, I feel I can say for all who enjoy this interface with the 7! I think you must have a very good vibe, to see the way the chimps responded to you. So you go with it, & btw, since I think they understand a LOT of spoken English even if they can’t speak back, do tell them they are so loved from afar.
Thanks so much, Dawn. And I will definitely forward the “collective spirit.” 🙂 It makes my heart so happy to see the overwhelming abundance of generosity, love, and support these seven special people receive. They certainly deserve it.
I’m a bit envious, Katelyn. It is my hope one day to be in your shoes, at least for a time (since I live on the east coast.) But not only do I want to meet (and get greeted by) these seven special beings, I want to contribute my time and labor toward they’re well being as a thank you for the suffering they endured on humanity’s behalf.
Good luck – write often! 🙂
THEIR well-being 😉
Congratulations Katelyn
, It takes very special people to work with chimps.The Cle Elum Seven have come so fa,r due to the amazing care and dedication of Jackie, all the other staff.I know you have had to work VERY hard, to not only be accepted by the chimps, but to be selected as a staff member of CSNW.A huge Congratualtions to you.You’ve earned it!. All the best to you, in your future endeavours, at CSNW.
Just to clarify, Katelyn is still a volunteer. We have 3 levels of volunteers- Level 1 volunteers work in the kitchen, Level 2 volunteers help us clean the enclosures, and Level 3 volunteers are caregivers (and still do the other jobs as well). Katelyn is in training to be a Level 3. We would be sure to let you guys know if we added a new staff member to the team!