It’s done! Finito! I am officially a wildlife rehabilitator in the state of Connecticut. I’ve had the paperwork sitting around since last year when I registered to take the test, which I aced back in March. I got a veterinarian to sign off at least six months ago, and I’ve just been waiting to accumulate enough apprentice hours to finally turn in my application. My apprenticeship journey has been interrupted by wrist surgery and subsequent recovery. I’d torn a ligament and needed it repaired, and then I’d needed intense physical therapy, which is still ongoing months later. Needless to say, it’s difficult to get hands-on experience when you only have one functional hand. It was my plan to spend the majority of the spring and summer at my mentor’s house doing turtle things, but instead I spent the majority of it in a cast or a brace. As it stands, I have helped out enough and gone to enough training events to get my 40 hours of apprenticing done, but I’ll probably still be doing most of my work with my mentor Pam until I feel confident enough to handle patients entirely on my own.
Aside from confidence, the other limiting factors for me being an official rehabber next year are time and space. I still work full time, and I don’t have a ton of space in my house at the moment. And if I get a ton of patients, money will also eventually be a limiting factor. I’m still going to be very part-time, but I will be doing it officially. And I’ll be able to help treat & release cuties like this.
Turtle Haven 
Congratulations, Angelina! You are doing such good for these unfortunate creatures!
LikeLike