My name is Norah Kerrigan, and I am an 18-year-old homeschooled autistic girl whose obsession is animals. I started this sanctuary to connect determined individuals with determined animals.

I enjoyed shadowing at Veterinary Emergency Group, Colorado Animal Specialty and Emergency and Golden Animal Hospital. I had the opportunity to watch surgeries, assist in medical procedures, learn to place IV catheters, and take blood.

I loved interning at Temple Grandin Equine Center where I got to know the horse’s individual personalities. I was able to assist in different types of equine veterinary care, such as dental cleanings and procedures, steroid injections, perform hoof cleanings, and of course, clean stalls.   

I was proud to be a part of the Junior Zoo-Keeper program at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo where I got to know each giraffe by name and enjoy their individual personalities. Even though the job was mostly picking up poop and cleaning I got to know the giraffes individually. For example, Khalid the father figure was a gentle giant and Bahati the okapi just wanted snuggles.