- Posted in:Interview
Meet the Student: Jen Beasley
Jen Beasley is a wildlife rehabilitator, working in an independent wildlife and avian rescue and rehabilitation unit alongside her full-time day job.
When her university degree in wildlife rehabilitation left her yearning for more training – taught with passion rather than process in mind – she came to TCAP.
Q. HOW DID YOU MANAGE TO BALANCE STUDY WITH YOUR FULL-TIME ROLE?
A: The flexibility of the course made it achievable, and when I ran into roadblocks, TCAP were super supportive in helping. To be able to grab ten minutes here and there to read the odd chapter, made the ability to complete the course far more achievable than blocking out full days, as per my prior uni course.
Q. HOW EASY WAS IT TO ACCESS THE COURSE CONTENT?
A: Accessing the course was very easy through the website. Despite being so busy, I found the course so enjoyable that I was actively seeking out spare bits of time to watch or read something. It really can be broken down due to the module set up and it should not put anyone off by worrying about independent study
Q. DID YOU FEEL SUPPORTED?
A: Once I started making regular contact with the college I realised how supportive TCAP are, and I’d probably have finished far earlier if I hadn’t been so independent.
I thought online study meant no one cared and it was my problem, how wrong I was. Every question I had worried myself over was swiftly answered and when I didn’t understand something, a simple call resolved it quickly.
The pivotal moment that turned my ‘like’ into a ‘love’ for the course were the practical days. Rachael was so kind and patient, offering so many great techniques to learn, I really learned a lot from her.
Fred and Josefina were just fabulous in putting so much self belief and confidence into everyone that I saw trainees arrive nervous and leave so motivated, including myself. It has improved my own coaching style to other rehabbers I work with as a bonus.
Q; YOUR PASSION IS WILDLIFE, HOW DID STUDYING A COURSE FOCUSED ON EQUINE/CANINE PHYSIOTHERAPY SUPPORT YOUR SPECIALISM?
A: I put off taking the course a couple of years before because I was worried being canine/equine based that it would not serve me enough for the long term plans of wildlife and exotics. In fact, it has significantly amplified my potential with transferable skills.
Many people think of wildlife very differently to more ‘traditional’ pets, and they’re actually really wonderful to work with. I particularly like helping ex-battery hens as they make such great pets, despite being treated so badly.
I also love helping pigeons as they’re incredibly smart and the most resilient species to rehab.
I’m currently finishing my final project which I was able to do on my target species and I have enjoyed it so much, I don’t want to turn it in because I feel I could write forever on the subject!
Q: IF YOU HAD ANY ADVICE TO GIVE TO A STUDENT CONSIDERING TRAINING WITH TCAP, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?
A: You will find the time if you commit. The lack of formal degree qualification does not make it less of a course: it makes it superior because it’s all personal to each person and allows that flexibility to really focus on the parts that interest you whilst moving at your own pace. Independent study is actually quite liberating.
If you are someone with an interest in other species than the canine/equines but worried about the relativity of the content, DO THE COURSE! It will benefit you so much and really escalate your skills and understanding in under-represented animals
Finally, if anyone would like to get involved with wildlife rescue let me know: I’d be delighted to connect you and give some advice on how to get started!
The pivotal moment that turned my like into a love for the course were the practical days. I saw trainees arrive nervous and leave so motivated, including myself.
JEN BEASLEY
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