Hello everyone!
My name is Ellen and I am one of the newest caregivers here at the sanctuary. I am excited for the opportunity to introduce myself to you all today, and look forward to many more shared conversations to come on the blog.
I grew up in Georgia, and attended the University of Georgia where I studied Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences. During my junior year of college I had the opportunity to complete an internship at Chimp Haven in Louisiana. Of course, I quickly fell in love with the chimpanzees and knew what I wanted to do…care for chimpanzees.
After graduation, I started my career working with chimpanzees as a caregiver at Chimp Haven. Over my 6 years at Chimp Haven, I grew as a person and caregiver thanks to many important lessons learned from my chimpanzee friends and human mentors. I was involved in training many new caregivers and interns that are caring for chimps and other animals around the country now, which is pretty amazing to think about! My favorite parts of my job were building relationships with the chimps and working with them on positive reinforcement training, which I look forward to continuing here at CSNW. While it was very bittersweet leaving my chimp and human friends, this new chapter has been filled with exciting new adventures.
One such exciting new adventure is caring for cattle! I was excited to meet Meredith, Nutmeg, Honey, and Betsy but unsure of what to expect. We are all still figuring each other out, but Meredith seems to approve of the regular supply of apple sauce I made for her to take her medicine in, and Betsy has graced me with plenty of licks with her raspy tongue, so I think we are off to a good start.
My favorite part of working at CSNW is being able to provide such a high level of individual care to everyone. Whether it is babysitting a troll doll for Foxie, wearing a too small boot for Jamie, getting out of breath running around the hill with Burrito, grooming with Terry, playing chase with Cy, or any other shared moment with the chimps, I am loving every opportunity to build relationships with my new chimp friends and give them the sanctuary life that they so deserve.
Welcome Ellen! So happy to have someone with your experience care for all our resident chimps and bovines. Some of them can sometimes be a bit rowdy but they are all very loveable and special.
Thank you, Marcie! The rowdiness has a way of making the sweet and quiet moments all the more special. I am so happy to be here!
Hey Ellen, thanks for sharing your self-intro! You got the chops for this level of chimpanzee caring, having spent those years at Chimp Haven. Sounds like you’re enjoying the way smaller population of chimpanzee people at CSNW. For sure you are making personal strides with the cattle, too! So glad to know you are among the dedicated staff at the sanctuary!
Thank you, Carrie! It has been a wonderful adjustment to have more time to get to know every person here and very rewarding to begin to build relationships with each of them. I just got back from a grooming session with Jamie after a game of chase with Cy, what a great day!
Welcome, Ellen! It is so nice to have you here, and I’m sure that both the chimps and the humans at CSNW share that sentiment! I hope you survive your first winter in the NW after living in the south, I assume, for all of your life up to this point. I look forward to seeing and hearing from you more in the future, especially the videos of you falling on your butt in the snow/ice that your co-workers will be ever so happy to share with us, lol!
Thank you Cindee! I admit, this will be my first real winter, and I cannot even comprehend the amount of snow and ice to come. I am both a little nervous and excited to experience it. I am sure they will have their cameras ready for my arrival on our first icy day here!
Hello and welcome, Ellen!
I look forward to catching up with you on the blog and I’m sure you’ll have many adventures to share with us! Have fun with all the lovely sanctuary residents .
Thank you Susan! I am excited for plenty of adventures to come and to be able to share them with you all.
Welcome Ellen! So nice to finally meet you. From the photos you included, it appears as if you have been working at CSNW all along! I believe you’ll find the climate a little different than Georgia and Louisiana! But if the chimps can adjust and the California cattle can adjust, I have faith you’ll get used to the seasons.Thank you for sharing your experiences prior to coming to Cle Elum. Very impressive.
How fortunate for the chimps and cows to have you as a caregiver. Homemade applesauce! Way to win over independent Meredith! Did the chimps get any of your applesauce by any chance? I have this feeling that Negra would be a fan.
So happy you are part of the sanctuary family.
Thank you Kathleen! Those are all good points, I have good company in experiencing the vastly different climate and a supportive team that has been giving me advice on what I need and what to expect. I loved watching all of the leaves change color and how vibrant they were. Even the drive to and from work has many breathtaking views.
The chimps did get some of the applesacue, while it was still warm even! Your feeling is very on point, as Negra was quite excited about her applesauce with dinner surprise. It was wonderful to watch them enjoy it!
I am so happy to be here, thank you for the warm welcome!
Dear Ellen, your introductory blog was so informative. Hope you love your new home with the chimps at CSN at ClevElum.
Hi Pat, I am loving my new home with the chimps, cattle, and some wonderful humans too. Oh, and one handsome Barn Kitty! Thank you!
Welcome to the land of blogging responsibility,Ellen! I see the punny ones haven’t gotten to you yet! Looking forward to hearung more from you in the blog! I have to say, you really seem to have captured Cy’s attention! That’s a deep gaze there!
Hi Linda! I am very excited for my newly earned blogging responsibility! I used to be a blog reader myself, and it feels odd (but exciting) to now be the one posting a blog. Cy is such a charming gentleman. He seemed to love when I put my face to the window with his, and would give me a kiss at the window when I did. He is such a wonderful friend to have!
Ellen,
Welcome to the Sanctuary. I agree with Kathleen that Her Majesty, et al, might be willing to enjoy some of your applesauce aperitifs (minus the meds which you have for Meredith). First, though, it appears that you have a troll doll from Foxie to babysit.
Thank you Tobin. You both are right, Her Majesty and her friends were more than willing to try some applesauce, still warm from being freshly made. There were many happy food grunts that night at dinner! I am happy to report I have been tasked several times with troll doll babysitting, although I am still working on my troll tossing aim/skills for the return of said doll. Thankfully, Foxie has been patient with me as I practice and my aim is already improving!
Wow, Coming from such a large sanctuary you are really going to love CSNW! Here you’ll get to know each chimp very intimately. How exciting is that?! I’m so envious!
Another wow. Going from the southeast to the northwest is quite a change! But I think you’re going to love it.
Welcome! I’m glad you’re here
Thank you for the warm welcome, Paulette! I am already loving the ability to get to know each chimp more intimately, and being able to dedicate more time to each of them. It is such a privilege to be a part of the team here!
It is quite a change indeed, but I must say I do not miss the heat (or the abundance of mosquitos!). The scenery here is beautiful, and I am looking forward to experiencing my first real winter and seeing the landscape as it changes yet again with winter.
Welcome….. it’s Sanctuary and a Gym all in on…….get those laces tied and get ready to Run:grin:
Off to a good start–I’d say so! WELCOME, Ellen.
Welcome to the Pacific Northwest. Ellen. I grew up in Louisiana and am a supporter of Chimp Haven. After living many years in sunny California I asked myself will I ever adjust to my move to the northwest. Sorry I can’t help you on adjusting to the cold, wet weather, but I hope you enjoy the magnificent trees that I don’t think you’ll find anywhere else. I am amazed at the work that Chimp Haven does with so many chimps. I hope you’ll tell us how you are adjusting now to such a small group. Maybe it’s just one big breath you take every day and say hey guys I never got to meet each and every chimp before but now I’ll get to meet each and every one of you. and I’m sure you will love each and every one of them. Good luck in the new job. If you haven’t already done so, buy lots of fleece and boots. But. NO plaid around Cy.
Ellen, it is so nice to meet you through your very interesting blog today. I lived in NE Georgia for a few years (many years ago) as a newlywed and as much as I loved the Blue Ridge Mountains, I was happy to return to Seattle. I hope you will feel at home in Central WA. I know you will fall in love with our chimpanzees, they are very special. Just wait until you get well acquainted with Honey B and see the mischief she can get into! It was nice to see your picture and to hear your story, welcome.
As a former trainee of Ellen’s at Chimp Haven, I can definitely say CSNW got one of the best caregivers and trainers (chimps and people) there is in this field!
Welcome Ellen!?
Ellen! What a treat to read your blog post! Hope you, your chimp friends, your cattle friends, and human ones enjoy many happy and healthy future adventures.
Welcome Ellen! I have had the good fortune to visit both CSNW and Chimp Haven, so thank you – THANK YOU for all that you do for the chimps! And now, the cattle! LOL! I enjoyed reading your blog, and your enthusiasm comes across big time! I adopt Foxie every year, so give her a kiss for me. Welcome! Don
Welcome Ellen! We love seeing the chimps and bovine in such wonderful caring hands! We wish you blessings in this new phase as you continue to care for these wonderful souls.
welcome!! sounds like the chimps and cattle are in good hands!!!