Vicki Small

Experience

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  Welsh Mountain Zoo

  Aug 2005 - Jan 2011

  Head Sea-lion Trainer and Presenter

  As head of the sea-lion section I was responsible for training the sea-lions new behaviours, assist in the training of the birds on the bird section and present primate displays. Other responsibilities included pool/filtration system management, media work and covering the other animal sections at the zoo.

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  Glyndwr University

  Sept 2009 - Sept 2011

  Lecturer in Captive Animal Husbandry and Enclosure Design

  Teach one module for an animal care foundation degree course at Glyndwr University to students aged 18 yrs +. I currently have a class of 20 students, the course I teach is practical and theory based.

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  Global Rescue Services

  Jan 2011 - May 2019

  Trainee dog handler

  A trainee dog handler for GRS, training alongside my Kelpie X cross to be able to complete search and rescue work.

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  Small Steps Animal Training&Consultancy

  Jan 2011 - Jan 2014

  Owner

  I setup my own business as an Animal Trainer and Consultant earlier this year. So far I have been training domestic animals e.g. dogs and farm animals e.g. rams for the raddle mark, which I love. However having trained exotic animals for a zoo for years I am looking for zoo contracts so I can really get stuck in on the training and teaching others the skills required to train. I also present seminars on animal related topics to groups and educational bodies.I am currently the animal training consultant for;Abandoned Animals associationFreshfields Animal RescueI am currently working witth the staff and animals on a one to one basis as well as group work at both establishments. Primary goals are to equip the staff with knowledge and skills to enable them to gain rdesirable esults out of the animals in my absence. To help the dogs become balanced, stable and enriched as well as more sociable and disciplined to improve their chances of being successfully re-homed. Also advising on welfare and nutrition. Show less

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  Bangor University

  Jan 2011 - May 2018

  Annual Guest Lecturer

  Am an annual Guest Lecturer for Bangor University, Wales. Delivering a session to the third year undergraduate Zoology/Animal Behaviour students. Session topic is the application of conditioning and associative learning with animals within a captive environment (Training).

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  Northop Deeside College

  Sept 2011 - Oct 2012

  Animal Care Instructor Demonstrator

  Teaching practical animal care sessions to students from entry - level 3 year two using a wide range of exotic and domestic animals. The college built and opened a new animal unit spring 2011 which includes a wide variety of reptiles, amphibians, inverts, birds, farm animals, rodents, fish and mammals. The stars of the college currently are the Common Marmosets which I am responsible for training husbandry behaviours to.

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  Reaseheath College

  Oct 2012 - Mar 2013

  Course Manager and Lecturer for FdSc Zoo Management

  Deliver lectures to FdSc and BSc Animal Management and Welfare courses on topics ranging from Behavioural Ecology, Animal Management through to Animal Handling and Care. To accompany practical sessions at the on site Reaseheath Zoo. To manage and co-ordinate the course FdSc Zoo Management 2012-2014.

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  Animal Jobs Direct

  Jan 2013 - May 2019

  Course Writer

  Commissioned to write a range of Lantra approved distant learning animal management courses. http://www.animaljobsdirect.com/ check out the website for the range of courses available.

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  Chester Zoo

  Feb 2013 - Jul 2018

  As a mammal keeper at Chester Zoo I am part of a team of 8 keepers looking after a diverse range of species such as: Fruit Bats, Giant Anteaters, Two-Toed Sloths, Aardvarks, Spectacled Bears, Naked Mole Rats, Round-Eared Sengi, Rock Hyrax, Red Pandas, Cloud Rats, Mouse Deer, Visayan Warty Pigs and Tree Shrews to name a few examples. Another major role for the Twilight Section is delivering Animal Encounters to the general public, current encounters are with the following animals: Fruit Bats, Elephants, Lemurs, Giraffes, Meerkats(there are Penguin encounters but these are delivered by the Bird Team). These encounters are a fantastic way for the public to learn about their favourite animals through an interactive and interesting experience. The encounters are very popular as gifts for loved ones, want to know more? http://www.chesterzoo.org/support-us/gifts-and-experiencesAs of February 2015 I was also given the amazing opportunity of participating in a Conservation Expedition to Assam, India. This project known as the Assam Haathi project, 'works closely with local villages in human-elephant conflict (HEC) areas in Assam, India. HEC is a growing problem throughout Asia as elephant forest habitat continues to shrink and landscapes become dominated by people and agriculture. The result of this is damage to farmers' crops and buildings, human deaths and sometimes the retaliatory killing of elephants. The AHP is helping villagers develop techniques to reduce HEC and is researching long-term strategies for elephant conservation in these areas.'Read more here:http://www.chesterzoo.org/conservation-and-research/field-conservation/field-programmes/asian-elephant-conservation-programmeThe exact role I fulfilled on the expedition can be read here:http://www.actforwildlife.org.uk/blog/blog/post/316-looking-after-livestock-in-assamhttps://www.facebook.com/actforwildlifeWhat an honour to work for such a prestigious Zoo&Conservation Charity such as Chester Zoo Show less An out-reach educational officer known as a Safari Ranger. Delivered educational talks, demonstrations and workshops for a target audience from Reception Age (3/4yrs) through to University Level at their place of study, therefore bringing the Zoo to the audience. Through interactive talks and engaging discussions, explored various topics from classification, sustainability, conservation and animal husbandry to connect the audience with nature, science and the environment. Outside of term time, established community links through MOD, Libraries, Summer Schools and Special Needs Groups. Again delivering taylor-made work shops to these aduiences, including designing, runnning and deliverying a two day event for Children registered on the Austisic Spectrum. Job role involved managing own bookings, diary and events. Liaising across multiple departments internally and liasing with various external partners. Show less

  • Mammal Keeper- Twilight Section

    Feb 2014 - Jul 2018

  • Out Reach - Safari Ranger

    Feb 2013 - Feb 2014
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  Castell Gyrn

  Nov 2013 - Jan 2018

  Farmer

  Own and Manage a flock of pedigree Zwartbles on approximately 50 acres of highland pasture. This year our Zwartbles' provided us with a lambing rate of 185% thus 60 lambs, well done girls! Thanks to our 2010 Royal Welsh Champion Ram, Wallacetown Sonic Boom we have some beautifully marked lambs with strong conformations and truly look forward to showing them off this year ready to be sold next year as the following generation of Zwartble breeding sheep.

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  Viomec Ltd.

  Oct 2014 - May 2019

  Director

  Director and major shareholder of Viomec Ltd; A Mechanical Engineering Design Consultancy Business.Viomec Ltd. specialises in providing expert engineering design and detailing solutions for a number of high profile clients. My primary function within the business is to maintain and grow the business, with a core focus on the administrative requirements of the business. Viomec Ltd. has recently launched a subsidiary called ‘Signs of Design’ following the acquisition of new assets enabling us to manufacture residential/commercial signage and a range of personalised goods. Thus capitalising on our in house design/manufacturing expertise. Show less

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  Indulgent Gifts Ltd.

  Nov 2016 - May 2019

  Director

  Director and principal Shareholder of Indulgent gifts Ltd. This company was formed to offer a range of organic beauty and skin care products specifically for people who want sustainably sourced organic, cruelty free and vegan friendly products. I have established manufacturing links with companies in the UK. Audited the supply chain to ensure our products comply with our core ethos, developed the branding, MRP system, logistics and appointment of management/operations team.

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  Blue Planet Aquarium

  Jun 2018 - Aug 2019

  Displays Supervisor

  Manger for the Zoological department of the Aquarium on a daily basis, under CuratorEnclosure design Critical MaintenanceLLS and diagnostic testingRecruitment of staffStaff training and appraisals Import/Export stockBreeding programmesAnimal training - focused on Elasmobranches, Jellyfish and PelicansOversee dive teamWork within a tight budgetPart of Duty Manager Team for rest of AquariumMedia workConservation

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  Cats Protection

  Sept 2019 - now

  Manage day to day operations of a dynamic, purpose built rehoming Adoption Centre for cats. Reporting to Adoption Centre Manager and Regional Operational Manager. Implement strategy and fulfil Charity aims and mission.

  • Operations Manager

    Jul 2022 - now

  • Deputy Manager

    Sept 2019 - Jun 2022
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  Nercwys Primary School

  Feb 2022 - now

  Parent governor