Dan lives in the US state of New Jersey, approximately 80 km west of New York City. He started his time volunteering as an animal carer at a local wildlife refuge in 1999 after seeing an article about the refuge and the animals it cares for in a local newspaper.

He also started volunteering because he wanted to make a difference and give a second chance to native wildlife, wildlife that’s being increasingly persecuted due to rampant housing overdevelopment and population growth taking place in his state.

The animals that he has helped care for are typically species that are native to New Jersey, such as grey squirrels, box turtles, raccoons, opossums, river otters, and black bears.

The refuge where Dan volunteers has also taken in some unusual non-native species, including a black-tailed prairie dog (native to the American west and Midwest) and a Canada Lynx. He has had the privilege of caring for animals ranging from 3-gram little brown bats to a 220-kg adult male black bear!

Included with Dan's work at the refuge as animal carer, he also helps train new volunteers to properly handle and feed infant and juvenile animals.