By Susan Wenner
Herald Publisher/ People Editor
Cookie Pope decided she was not going to take her May of 2023 retirement too easy and made her way to the Central Florida Zoological Park and Botanical Gardens to lend a hand.
This 1970 graduate of Seminole High School, married her husband, Mike, some 53 years ago but after the birth of their daughter, Stacey and a long bit of time she decided to use her love of animals in a constructive way.
Amid working on her 55th class reunion that will take place in 2025, Pope needed to stay busy so she attended classes at the zoo for the position she wanted to volunteer.
She shared that the classes are led by a Volunteer Coordinator. Volunteers take tests and must score over an 80% to volunteer to work with the animals.
“I have taken the Zoo Interpreter course as well as the Docent Guide and Animal Presenter courses,” she said. “There are many other ways to volunteer without taking classes or handling any animals.”
Although Pope has never volunteered anywhere like the Central Florida Zoological Park and Botanical Gardens before she was thrilled that this was new and a lot of fun.
Already receiving recognition for her efforts, since volunteering at the zoo she has received a Core Value: Be Our Best award.
“We (volunteers) have visited the Center for Great Apes in Wauchula, Florida and spent a day volunteering there,” she added. “I have always worked inside in front of a computer and wanted to do something totally different. The zoo certainly is that.”
What makes this volunteer opportunity so worthwhile to Pope is not only the animals, but also the staff and the guests she meets while there.
“Nothing is hard about being at the zoo,” she said. “Each day there is something new to learn or see. I love talking about the animals. Each has their own back story and personality.”
And, it is also “the talking” that Pope identified as the best skill she has learned in this volunteer effort.
“I have always been a talker, but now I am sharing information I have learned from the staff and the animals,” she cited.
Pope also shared that she plans to keep volunteering as long as she can.
“I just love to hear the people saying thank you when I/we share information with them,” she said. “They get very excited learning about our animals. Every time I put on my volunteer shirt; I feel very proud that I am allowed to represent the zoo. I remember the Zoo when it was downtown Sanford on Park Ave. It’s come a long way since then. I admire all the staff at the zoo. The zoo is a non-profit organization, so they are there for passion not money. The next time you are at the zoo look at the staff and see how sweaty they are. I have never seen harder workers. The only thing easy about their jobs is their love for their animals.”
Her encouragement about volunteering, especially for the zoo was,
“Don’t wait. My only regret is I didn’t start volunteering there sooner.”
For more information about volunteer opportunities at the Central Florida Zoological Park and Botanical Gardens go to www.centralfloridazoo.org
