When animal lover Becky Svalstad was growing up along Spring Creek southeast of Rapid City there was always a menagerie of pets—dogs, cats, hamsters—but never anything with feathers.
“My mom would not let us have birds as pets,” the 28 year old recalls.
Although Becky was sure she would grow up and pursue a career related to her love of horses and cattle, birds began to capture her heart when she started working in the bird department at Reptile Gardens in high school.
“Birds have their own personalities and are so much fun to be around,” she says.
This affection for birds is a bonus at her “home away from home,” Wildlife Experiences, Inc., where she is part of a small group of dedicated people who work there among a large number and variety of birds, and a few small animals.
(Read the rest of this story in Spring ‘09 FACES)
