By Kayla Schmidt
Ever wondered what it takes to care for a turkey vulture, a porcupine or a turtle? Lisa Kelly, the animal care supervisor at Teatown, has spent the past 17 years learning the answer to that question—and many others like it. Hers is a career built off the beaten path: no traditional degree, just a childhood love of the outdoors, a string of mentors and a willingness to figure things out as she goes.
What inspired you to work with animals?
I have always really loved the outdoors and wildlife. My grandparents always had me outside in the wilderness, and they instilled in me a love and respect for nature. As I grew up, I took it and ran with it. I was able to work at the SPCA with domestic animals, and now I work with wild animals. I’ve gotten the best of both worlds.
What qualifications do you need for this kind of job?
Everyone’s path is a bit different. I didn’t get a college degree; I learned as I went and from mentors. I also did a lot of research and used my resources. Wildlife rehabilitators, for instance, are great resources, and so are vets and other organizations. There’s no single route.
What does a typical week look like for you?
Every day is different. There’s the basic care, and then all the other things that go along with it—like training with the animals so they’re ready to be part of a program. Teatown is an environmental education center, so our education team brings animal ambassadors to classes where they help us teach children about nature and wildlife.
What is something people often misunderstand about your work?
That I’m just playing with animals all day. It’s a whole lot of cleaning. People see me with birds on a glove or taking porcupines for a walk, and they think that’s the job. But the biggest part is really taking care of them, not just spending time with them. There’s so much behind-the-scenes work.
Can you tell us about a memorable experience?
Getting and training our turkey vulture. She was the first bird I went out and saw that was in need of a home. I had to figure out what would be needed for her—there are specific parameters for animals to come to Teatown, and we’d never had a turkey vulture before. I drove to Pennsylvania and picked her up from a wildlife center, and I really built a connection with her. Turkey vultures aren’t animals people typically love, but once you get to know them, you love them.
What is the most unexpected part of the job?
Honestly, the people. The number of people who assume they can pet a wild animal is surprising. And what people will come out and tell you is super interesting.
Tell us a funny story from your time on the job.
Having to explain to small children that the turtle is mating with the rock—not just hanging out with it. Luckily, the parents picked up on it pretty quickly and took it from there, but it was definitely an awkward situation.
What is your favorite part of your work?
Seeing how people react to the animals. I see the animals every day, so it’s easy to forget how special they are. But when a little kid comes up and tells me how much they love a particular animal, that’s a highlight. It reminds me how special this all really is.
This article was edited by Rinn Kress and fact-checked by Isabella Aranda Garcia.
This article was published in the July/August 2026 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.
Kayla Schmidt
Kayla Schmidt is a sophomore at Horace Greeley High School. She is part of the newspaper and the SADD club, and she is also the co-manager of the track team. In her free time, Kayla enjoys spending time with her friends, family, and dogs, along with reading (preferably on the beach).
