I used to train animals that are beautiful, and deadly. They taught me, sometimes the hard way, that dangerous animals are sometimes hard to handle. Fortunately, I worked in a zoo culture that emphasized safety for the trainer and the animal at all times.
That didn’t mean ‘nothing ever happens’ but rather, as trainers, our job is to recognize that ‘something might happen’ and alter the situation to a safer one. But sometimes, as the saying goes, ‘stuff’ just happens, no matter what you or your co-trainers do.
In this previous post, I talked about two wolves, Nocona and Akela. Nocona and I had a rocky relationship and at one point he took me to the ground.
Nocona and me weren’t friends, we were co-workers.
Two other trainers and me were in Nocona’s pen having a social session, trying to build my rapport with the aloof wolf. These are exactly what they sound like; informal play and social time with the animal. Yes, like I said, it was the best job ever, I got to play with wolf pups and cheetah cubs, plus a whole lot more.
Social sessions reinforce the bonds between trainers and their animal charges. These bonds are part of why it’s possible to bring a creature who should be afraid of loud, unpredictable crowds out onto a stage, or a TV set, and have that animal not only remain calm, but able to pay attention and follow the trainer’s direction. They build the animal’s trust in the trainer.
These social sessions are not just encouraged, they’re required, especially for a social creature like a wolf. The trainers become the wolf’s pack—except for me in Nocona’s case. He plainly told me he didn’t need any more friends and on that day, he showed me he meant it.
Everything was going great, Nocona was happy, smiley and playful since two of his favorite trainers were in the pen. I was just the spare trainer.
However, things were moving quickly and, I ended up in bad position, crouched down low, facing Nocona, who wanted to get past me. Let’s just say, from his point of view, I was the trainer he didn’t like blocking him from the trainers he did.
He lunged, knocked me back about six feet. Then stood on my chest, snapping, and snarling. He even grabbed the collar of my shirt and shook it like a terrier with a rat. I managed to get both hands on his chest, and one of the trainers got hold of his collar, but the truth is…if he wanted to hurt me, he could’ve, quite easily.
He didn’t, by deliberate choice. Because in the animal world, that level of energy and destruction is rare, and Nocona knew I wasn’t worth that level. He was teaching me a lesson, not trying to end me.
One I never, ever forgot.
While his was certainly the most dramatic teaching moment, I learned something from each and every animal in my care. It truly was a dream career.
Ready to meet the amazing creatures in my book?
Salt, Sky, and Fire, Book One of The Founding, drops June 17, 2026, on Amazon/KU.
It has more than dragons. I included critters that aren’t found in most fantasy books – hippocamps and a sphinx with an attitude.
If you love stories where the magical creatures feel real, and where respect for animals isn’t just window dressing… then Salt, Sky, and Fire might be your next obsession.
Want early access? → Grab an ARC here.
OR →
It’s also live on Netgalley.
Remember to join my newsletter for creature lore drops, behind-the-scenes training stories, and exclusive excerpts.
Serena Dracis 