Sea Life Park & my buddy....

My buddy Nancy (on left!)

Dream job? Patrick becomes a dolphin trainer then director of operations for marine mammal facilities in Hawaii, Bermuda and Tahiti. Best part about being a dolphin trainer? Living in exotic locales? NOPE. The dolphins? SOMEWHAT. Having fun with the kids program? PERHAPS.

My favorite program?....KIDS. Why?..

Kids & dolphins are the best drug that

no doctor could prescribe....too much fun!

But more importantly the individuals who take care of the animals and educate the public about the fragile marine mammal eco-system.

Taking care of dolphins is a 24/7 job. Expect late night phone calls and 14 day work week during pregnant dolphin situations. Over the years I have met and come in contact with thousands of individuals who make up the marine mammal industry. Then one day while working at Sea Life Park I was lucky enough to meet a talented dolphin trainer who also works with penguins and seal lions. Nancy was working for Sea Life Park prior to my arrival in Dec 06. She hails from Eastern PA. After watching her perform a show with the dolphins and her in-water work with them along with her overall genuine enthusiasm for her job, I knew had to meet her.(plus she has the coolest tatoo, whale tail with hawaiian lei)

As time went on we became good buddies. Well, more like drinking buddies. As anyone in the marine mammal world will tell you, drinking after work comes with the industry. (the shack in Hawaii Kai is surviving because of the liquid diet of Sea Life Park trainers!) Oh the stories I could tell stemming from Hawaii to Bermuda, to Orlando, to Cancun, to Tahiti and California!

Nancy has a talent that most young and up-coming animal trainers thrive for. She excels in the water with the dolphins during shows. If she's having a "bad day" (as we all do from time to time) you would never know during her shows. Sometimes people say the dolphins are the stars of the show but you must look further, it's the trainers. It's a dangerous job and you have to be one step ahead of the animals. But most importantly it really is a Fun Job and a fun place to work. You play with dolphins and other marine animals while meeting people from all over the world on a daily basis. You have tons of friends! However, the "life expectancy' for animal trainers is very short. Perhaps 3-4 years then people move on to a different career. It seems to be that way throughout the industry. Trying to secure a position as a dolphin trainer isn't easy. It is an extremely difficult position to obtain, highly competitive and the good thing for guys is that the female ratio kills the male ratio around 10-1. It was a "no-brainer' for me to enter the field. Girls everywhere....mostly running around in swimsuits all day!! Then the social thing after work at local watering hole, come on man, it's nuts!! Blurry but nuts!!

Rocket ride with Kermi...Fish bucket on the head!

Well, Nancy did move on as did I. She now resides in Boston working at small animal vet clinic. I consider Nancy a good friend. Of course it helps when she has ties with Notre Dame! Attending Notre Dame I thought I was the biggest fan, then I met Nancy! Now I have a friend for life! Nancy I love our banter back & forth. Keep me laughing will ya!!???

My favorite Leprechaun at ND game with big sis!

You never know who you will meet tomorrow and the next day but meeting Nancy has brought much needed laughter into my life. Now I just need to tame her drinking habits!! Nancy will be vacationing on Oahu June 10-18. It's about 40-minute flight for me to go and see her. However, it doesn't look like I will be able to meet up with her during her visit. Inter island airfare is crazy $$$$ and I can't afford it. I sooooo want to fly over and see my buddy but I wouldn't have any drinking money to support our evening!! haha.! So close but yet so far away! Sorry Nancy, you know I would make the trip if I could. Enjoy your time back on Oahu. Say Hi to the dolphins for me, especially Kermi. Have a pitcher or two for me at The Shack! Then call me when your drunk!!

I miss you my friend.