"I WISH TO BE...A ZOOZEEPER AT THE TORONTO ZOO"

10-year old Mark absolutely loves animals! In fact when the Make-A-Wish office went to interview him, he had all of his favorite animals listed by their species classification. Wish Grantor Raquel set out to make the experience as magical and exciting as possible! Raquel learned that Mark loves dinosaurs, so she dressed up in a dinosaur costume and visited Mark at the hospital. She also got dinosaur paintings and books donated for Mark before his wish day arrived. To get Mark prepared for his Wish, Raquel also managed to set up a practice day at the Edmonton Valley Zoo so that Mark could learn what goes on behind the scenes. When it was Wish Day Mark boarded the plane for his first airplane ride! He told us that it was very exciting but scary as well! On the day of his wish Mark was met by a representative from the Toronto Zoo and Kimberley from the Make-A-Wish office in Toronto. Mark had an amazing day! He fed river hippos and was able to touch them. Apparently, they are very slimy! Mark also got to feed Pezwalski horses, which according to him, are the only true wild horses that are still in existence. After the horses it was time to go and feed the camels. The day wasn’t over yet though! Mark went to Stingray Bay and was able to touch a stingray, which was as soft as velvet. Mark also fed the stingrays as well as the nurse sharks. Once Mark finished all his zookeeper duties he had a tour of the zoo and was able to look at all the exhibits. Mark had an exciting and fun day! Mark spent the rest of his time in Toronto visiting the Royal Ontario Museum, touring the CN tower, visiting Canada’s Wonderland, the Hockey Hall of Fame, Casa Loma, the Ontario Science Centre, Niagara Falls, the Wax Museum and the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum.

Adopt-A-Wish Sponsor: Premay Equipment Ltd.
Volunteer Wish Grantor: Raquel Maurier