Devon Dominguez, Class of 2014, has always known her calling. A deep love for animals, rooted long before college, has guided every step of her journey. From the fields of Minnesota to the wildlife hospitals of Florida, and now through the tiger enclosures of Busch Gardens, Devon has built a career dedicated to animal care, conservation, and education.
After graduating from Carrollwood Day School, Devon headed north to the University of Minnesota, where she majored in Animal Science. It was there that she immersed herself in every opportunity to work with animals. Whether she was banding birds, volunteering at the Raptor Center, helping injured birds relearn to fly, or assisting graduate students in the field, she sought hands-on experience wherever she could find it.
“During college, I worked with wildlife any way I could,” Devon said. “I knew I wanted to make a difference.”
After graduating, Devon returned to Tampa and completed a four-month internship at the Florida Wildlife Hospital. She lived on the property, took in animals during overnight intakes, worked in the nursery, and cared for a variety of species - including animal ambassadors and birds of all kinds.
In 2017, Devon joined Busch Gardens as a part-time seasonal employee, lending a hand wherever she was needed: with lorikeets, tortoises, ambassador animals, and guest education. But the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic brought new challenges. Devon was furloughed and eventually laid off, yet her passion for animals never wavered. She soon found her way back, this time in Busch Gardens’ clinic, where she worked with sick and injured animals.
“Clinical work taught me a lot,” Devon explained, “but I struggled only seeing the animals when they were hurt or upset. I wanted to be part of the full picture, not just the recovery.”
Eventually, she transitioned into animal areas that offered more ongoing engagement. She worked closely with breeding male kangaroos, observed their behavior, and dove into kangaroo research. That experience led her to her current role, working with orangutans and tigers, where she’s spent the last two years.
Today, Devon helps train these animals using positive reinforcement techniques, a process she finds incredibly rewarding. From teaching tigers to present themselves at the mesh for voluntary medical procedures to giving keeper talks and guided tours, she helps foster a deep understanding and respect between animals and humans.
“We never force animals to do anything,” she said. “Everything is built on trust.”
She’s also part of a global network of zookeepers working to preserve species through efforts like the Species Survival Plan. Whether it’s through education, daily care, or collaborative conservation, Devon’s goal is simple: protect wildlife and help others do the same.
Looking back on her time at CDS, Devon remembers the challenges but, more importantly, the growth.
“I won’t lie, my experiences as a student at CDS were tough,” she said. “Rigorous exams, ambitious projects, and navigating life as a teenager all at once. But I’m grateful for being pushed beyond my limits. Those challenges gave me the foundation I needed to face future hardships.”
What stood out most for Devon was the community.
“CDS did a great job supporting me and my peers in anything we set our minds to,” she said. “AV League, Strategy Games, and the personal projects I worked on with friends. Those are the experiences that really define my time there.”
And when asked about her favorite memories, it’s the simple ones that shine through: playing card games at lunch, sitting in Dr. Hallett’s classroom listening to music before school, or the after-school moments with friends.
“I truly treasure those times,” she said.
From a student who was always curious and driven, to a professional committed to wildlife conservation, Devon Dominguez exemplifies the kind of impact a CDS education can inspire. We are proud to share her story and can’t wait to see what she does next.
We love sharing our alumni achievements with the CDS community. If you are a CDS Alumni and would like to share your accomplishments, please contact our Alumni Engagement Coordinator, Carli (Gauthier) Mianne '16 at cmianne@cdspatriots.org and let us know what you have been up to since leaving CDS. We look forward to hearing from you!