Franklin Pest Solutions, based in Lafayette, Ind., is sponsoring the Columbian Park Zoo Teen Program for the third year, providing area teens the opportunity to be involved with the zoo community.
“The Zoo Teen program is designed to prepare young people for future careers in the zoo community by building job-transferable skills, exploring jobs and connecting with others passionate about wildlife,” Columbian Park Zoo Educator Ryan Madden said in a news release.
The program’s stated mission is to “provide an opportunity for area youth to engage with Columbian Park Zoo, gain an appreciation for the importance of zoos and conservation, to explore animal-related careers while building transferable job skills, and to empower youth to become community leaders/advocates for conservation action.”
The 30 “Zoo Teens” go through an application and interview process and, if accepted, complete training in animal husbandry, zoo safety, teaching and customer service.
“During the summer, the Zoo Teens volunteer at least 45 hours of service working alongside zookeeper mentors to learn the inner workings of the zoo. The zoo also provides opportunities to learn about other animal-related careers, including meeting with local wildlife conservation groups and an end-of-summer trip to a larger Midwest zoo to learn how different zoos are run,” Madden said. Applications for 2027 will open in mid-January.
“Franklin Pest Solutions is dedicated to working with children of all ages to encourage their interests in the natural world,” Janelle Iaccino, marketing director with Franklin Pest Solutions, said in a news release. “It’s so important for all of us to understand the importance of the balances in nature and why honoring and preserving natural resources including animals and insects are so critical.”
2026 Zoo Teens speak of their experience
Five of this year’s Zoo Teens explain some of their favorite aspects of the program:
“I am always getting the opportunity to do new things. I love getting to do Animal Encounters where we bring out one of our ambassador animals to have an up-close meeting with the public. I love this because it not only teaches kids about how magical animals can be, but also is a chance for adults to learn more about animals they are hesitant about.” — Kinley McCoy, 15, who hopes to pursue a career as a zoo educator or in zookeeping
“I love coming to the zoo and not knowing what I’m going to be doing or where I will be working each day. I especially enjoy working with the educational ambassador animals. They all have unique care requirements and personalities that make it one of my favorite places to work. It’s fun to engage with guests through animal encounters to teach them about an animal and how they can help conserve wildlife.” — Cohen Alfano, 17, third-year Zoo Teen who is interested in a future in wildlife biology
“My two years in the Zoo Teen Program have yielded wonderful memories and unforgettable hands-on experiences that could only be made possible by being a Zoo Teen. The program has taught me that an animal’s role goes beyond making up the food web, which helps maintain a balanced ecosystem. Animals also give insights into ecosystem health and provide resources to other species through abandoned shelters, leftovers from a hunt and more.” — Yaritza Torres-Muro, 16, who wants a career in animal psychology and anesthesiology
“My favorite animal at the zoo seems to change every year, but I always feel the most connection to the goats. It is always fun learning their names and almost growing alongside them as I am soon to age out of the program.” — Ethan Furst, 16, who plans to puruse a career in zookeeping or zoology
“[A Brazilian rainbow boa named Rio is] my favorite because he is very curious, has a fun personality and I love how well he does when I take him out for encounters with the public. The Colombian Park Zoo Teen program has allowed me to work with domesticated animals as well as more exotic and endangered species.” — Piper Burke, 16, whose dream job is either an animal behavioral scientist or a marine biologist
“Learning about the balance of humans and nature is both critical and rewarding, and working with animals helps the teens, and all of us, understand that balance. We would love to have any of the Zoo Teen Program teens work with Franklin in the future,” Iaccino said in the news release. “It’s so wonderful to see kids immerse themselves in nature and care so much about the environment. After all, they are the ones who will inherit it and with teens like this, there’s so much hope for our world.”
About Franklin Pest Solutions
Since 1929, Franklin Pest Solutions has been trusted in the Midwest to keep homes and businesses free from insects, rodents, and more. Like its sister company, Rose Pest Solutions, Franklin uses cutting-edge technology, environmentally friendly methods and personalized unique solutions to create and maintain healthy living environments.
Founded in 1860 and owned by the Dold family, Rose Pest Solutions serves communities in all of Chicagoland, the Greater Milwaukee area and South-Central Wisconsin. Franklin Pest Solutions serves Indiana and Kentucky. The company boasts three Pest Management Professional magazine Hall of Fame honorees: Company founder Solomon Rose (Class of 2001) and longtime leaders Bob and Judy Dold (Class of 2002).
About Columbian Park Zoo
Founded in 1908, Columbian Park Zoo is the second-oldest zoo in Indiana. It is approximately 6 acres in size and is located in historic Columbian Park in Lafayette, Ind. The Zoo features several “immersion” exhibits and the animal collection consists of nearly 200 animals representing approximately 90 species.
<p>The post Franklin Pest Solutions continues to sponsor local zoo interns first appeared on Pest Management Professional.</p>
from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/franklin-pest-solutions-continues-to-sponsor-local-zoo-interns/
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