Volunteer Profile: Bill Paker
By Kathleen Cahill
The juvenile raccoon arrived at the Center badly wounded from dog bites: numerous puncture wounds, a tail hanging on by a mere thread, a fractured femur. Damage so extensive that two trips to the vet for immediate wound care were necessary.
Bill Paker was one of the volunteers who transported him to a local veterinarian who donates his services to these animals. As the raccoon was coming out of anesthesia after the setting of his leg, he went into cardiac arrest and at one point had no discernible heartbeat. Again, it was Bill who was the first to notice the situation. A shot of epinephrine brought the raccoon back.
The raccoon went back to the Center where he remained for several months, allowing the fracture to heal. This unfortunate raccoon also developed a bone infection at the fracture site, extending his rehabilitation time. Finally he was transferred to home care for the opportunity to exercise and rebuild his strength before release. Because they must be prepared for eventual release, animals at the Center are never named or treated as pets. Still, with the raccoon long gone, Bill cannot help but think of him as “Lazarus”, the animal who rose from the dead. This raccoon with a strong will for life has been memorialized in a photo that Bill wears on his Center name tag.
Who is Bill? If you have ever spied a man walking around in a magenta and teal polo shirt, chances are it’s Bill. His experience with the Wildlife Center began in May of 2000 when he started working one shift per week doing Center care. His opportunity for further responsibility arrived in November of that same year when his animal care supervisor left and Bill found himself promoted by default (he is quick to give credit to Erica Torgimson for training him for this position). The following spring, Bill decided to add another shift to his schedule, becoming supervisor two days per week.
Currently, in addition to his animal care duties, Bill is involved in many other activities at the Center. He has been instrumental in the planning and building of many of the animal enclosures, both those already constructed and those still in the first stages of design. Healso helps with general maintenance (building shelves, fixing garden hoses, et cetera).
When WCSV moved last year from its Senter Road location, Bill was on hand to assist in moving animals. He continues to transport animals between WCSV and other rehabilitation centers as the need arises. Bill has cared for such diverse animals as a green heron, a bobcat, and a pelican at the Center, but his current favorite species is the gray fox, which he describes as “beautiful”.
How do staff and volunteers at WCSV describe him? A man of diverse talents…very reliable…loves to be teased! So, next time you see that famous colorful shirt, stop and say “hello” to Bill.
