QUESTION:
How did you first get started working with animals? Are you working with a
certain type of animal or are you researching an animal for new developments? 
If you could, please describe your average work day.


ANSWERS from Mary Williams on April 7, 1998:

Answer #1 I always liked animals and wanted to work with them, so I went
to UC Davis and majored in animal science.  I was able to work with different 
types of animals in college.  After I graduated, I decided I wanted to work in 
Laboratory Animal Science.  I applied for a position as an animal caretaker at 
NASA.

Answer #2 Since I am the ACF Project Manager, I generally don't work with the 
animals anymore.  I can fill in if necessary, but mostly I make sure that all 
the jobs that need to be done are done by well trained staff members.  Right 
now our facility houses mostly rats.

Answer #3 I come in and check my messages at about 7:30 every morning. I 
also check my emails.  I then respond to any messages or emails that need 
responses. I may meet with Investigators to help with any questions or problems
they have.  I spend a lot of time updating various documents like Standard 
Operating Procedures, the Animal Care and Use Manual, protocol summary sheets.
I also review any requests we get for support and assign the appropriate 
individual to handle the request.  My phone rings a lot so I spend a bit of 
time on the phone daily. I also research various vendors for different supplies
we might need. The job I have now has a lot of paper work that goes along with 
it.  Once a month I attend an Animal Care and Use Committee meeting.  Weekly I
inspect the ACF to make sure that everything is in good condition. I also need 
to make sure that the staff is trained to handle all the different types of
animals and knows all the procedures involved in caring for them. Finally, I 
usually get to deal with any problems that arise during the course of the day.  
If by some chance I have some free time, I catch up on reading Lab Animal 
journals or I surf the Web for research animal related information. I'm usually 
here until 4:30 or 5:00pm.