April 22, 2016
by: OakLeaf Services Contributor
Michael
In April 2015, UCP of Greater Cleveland was contacted by the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities and asked to meet with a very special young man named Michael, who was hoping to find a way to follow his life dream of working with animals. Michael’s mother had, for the larger portion of Michael’s life, not been aware of or had access to any kind of support programs to help him, and had been working tirelessly on her own to ensure that Michael had every possible opportunity and experience that he needed to help him develop into a more self sufficient and independent adult. After he graduated from John Marshall High School in 2006, Mrs. Rodriguez began looking for job opportunities for Michael in the community. She faced substantial obstacles with employers, as they did not fully understand the nature of working with an individual with special needs, and often passed on his applications almost immediately. Eventually, she was able to secure a part time position for him with Giant Eagle, where he collected shopping carts and performed general cleaning duties. Michael continued in this role for 10 years, never missing a day of work, even repeatedly winning the location’s Perfect Attendance Award! As the years went on, Michael began to dream about his passion of animals and one day having a job where he could interact and help them on a daily basis. This dream soon filled his days and he felt increasingly anxious that he would never be able to make this dream a reality.
When UCP staff first met with Michael, he was reserved and his mother mostly spoke about his enthusiasm for nature and animals, including how he has shelving full of various books on topics all related to the two, and how he would sit and conduct his own research when he wanted to learn more about something. She talked about how he would study about a topic for hours or even days until he felt that he knew everything he could about it. They talked about the trips they would plan each summer to visit various zoos and parks, and how Michael would get on his bicycle and ride to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and the Greater Cleveland Aquarium to spend the day with the animals that he was so passionate about. Michael told UCP staff that sometimes when he would be at the zoo, other guests would mistake him for a zoo animal caretaker, and would often ask him many questions about the exhibits, which he always took pride in being able to answer factually!
UCP staff began working with Michael in May 2015, and spent time completing a Career Exploration program with him. This process is utilized to gather all of an individual’s dreams, interests, skills, strengths and abilities, and then interpret and relate them to attainable competitive positions within the community. UCP staff was able to spend time getting to know Michael, to see and appreciate the knowledge he had acquired, and the positive energy that he had about the possibilities of his future career path. UCP staff and Michael determined that his goal of working in a zoo as an animal caretaker was not an immediately viable opportunity, as it required schooling and work experience that he did not yet have. Michael often would talk about his love for household pets as well, which led to a development path in that area. UCP staff and Michael explored many opportunities, including rescue shelters, retail stores, animal clinics and day care facilities. Michael would submit applications or review opportunities but was often passed on due to his lack of hands-on experience with multiple animals. UCP staff and Michael began volunteering at The Pet Shelter, an adoption/rescue center run by the Northeast Ohio S.P.C.A. Michael began interacting with a variety of animals multiple times per week, learning about their individual temperaments and needs. He would walk them, help clean the cages, spend time giving them attention and helping the facility with miscellaneous operational tasks. His natural ability to calm and coax even the most frightened of the adoptable animals was remarkable. During one visit, there was a dog that would not leave his cage for anyone and was cowered in a corner, shaking and scared. Michael instinctively climbed into the cage with the dog, and sat there talking to it until it came and sat in his lap, completely calmed down and relaxed. Soon after that , Michael had decided that he would like to one day have an opportunity to work in an exotic animal environment, but that he felt his path for right now was leading him to want to work with dogs. UCP staff made contact with multiple dog day care facilities, animal clinics and shelters on Michael’s behalf.
In February 2016, UCP staff met the owners of Barklyn Heights Dog Day Care facility, Zachary Walker and Tim Clymer. UCP staff talked to them about Michael’s passion for working with animals, his natural instincts with dogs and his volunteering experience at The Pet Shelter. They were very interested to meet Michael and scheduled a time to have him visit the facility and review the job opportunity of being a day care attendant there. Michael visited and made an instant impression on them with his enthusiasm and willingness to learn. They offered him a position on their team, where he would help monitor the open play area, interact with the dogs and help maintain cleanliness and safety throughout the day. Michael began his new job and was able to work with a UCP job coach to help him learn the tasks and procedures that were in place. After a few shifts, he was working completely independently and developing a rapport with the dogs that were there regularly. UCP staff visited Michael during one of his shifts and watched him interacting with 11 dogs at once, keeping track of who was where, keeping the floors clean and dry, and making sure their needs were all being addressed. Zach and Tim both said that they were impressed with how Michael always remembered all of the dogs’ names, and how natural he was with them. When asked if they felt that Michael was going to be a successful addition to their growing team at Barklyn Heights, Zach responded “We are so happy that you stopped by that afternoon to tell us about Michael. The dogs love him!”
UCP staff continues to monitor Michael’s progress and development at Barklyn Heights Day Care, and is always available to help troubleshoot any issues as they arise. Michael’s mother spoke to UCP staff and said that she has never in her life seen Michael so genuinely happy and fulfilled. Michael continues to volunteer at The Pet Shelter, and is also pursuing volunteer opportunities at the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center in the Wildlife Care area. He and his mother are planning a summer trip to possibly visit an exotic animal rescue facility in Indiana, where he would be able to handle different animals and learn more about their needs.
Written by Liz Wilson, UCP of Greater Cleveland Job Placement Specialist
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