The Elephant Sanctuary is grateful to the students and staff who dedicate their time and energy each year through Alternative Spring Break programs. This spring, we were pleased to welcome students from both Appalachian State University and Vanderbilt University, who chose to spend their break supporting The Sanctuary’s mission.
Appalachian State University marked its 12th year participating in this meaningful tradition, while Vanderbilt University joined for its sixth year. Together, these students spent the week working alongside Sanctuary Staff, contributing to daily operations and gaining a deeper understanding of elephant care and conservation. They raked, sanded, and stained benches in the Outdoor Classroom, cleaned food preparation areas in multiple barns, and supported enrichment efforts by stuffing items for the elephants. Students also helped collect and clear tree limbs and debris—much of it from discarded browse and recent storm impact—and assisted in maintaining the pollinator garden behind The Elephant Discovery Center.
In addition to hands-on projects, students participated in educational sessions with Staff, learning about individualized elephant care, veterinary science, and broader conservation topics.
Moments like watching an elephant interact with enrichment volunteers helped create, sharing meals together, and observing elephants in their habitats left a lasting impression. At the end of the week, students shared reflections on their time at The Sanctuary. Many spoke about how the experience reinforced their academic and career interests, with one student noting that it “reminded me of why I chose my degree in science in the first place.” Others highlighted the value of collaborating with Caregivers and Education Team, attending daily educational talks, and gaining insight into the complexity of elephant care. Above all, students consistently expressed appreciation for the time, attention, and knowledge shared by Sanctuary Staff.
We are deeply grateful for the continued partnership with Appalachian State University and Vanderbilt University and for the enthusiasm and dedication these students bring each year. Their contributions support The Sanctuary’s work in meaningful ways, and we look forward to welcoming future groups in the years ahead.