Dr. Dolittle may have talked to the animals, but he had nothing on 15-year-old Falconer Central School junior Allison Sanderson whose life is centered around wildlife - the study of animals, their care, proper game management, recreation and volunteer work with horses.
"We always had animals and I always liked them," Allison said.
Starting out at a young age, Allison developed an appreciation for animals while caring for her own pets - which now include her horse, two dogs and three cats - and spending time in the woods with her father.
"My dad always took me in the woods when I was little," Allison said.
Her father took her with him when he went hunting as well as just to enjoy the scenery on their nature walks.
She said that the walks in the woods were something that her and her father enjoyed together.
Allison hopes to pursue a career in wildlife biology or conservation - working with wild animals in behavioral studies or radio collars. She has taken college level classes as a junior at the age of only 15 in the biology of mammels, biology of insects, and next semester will study the biology of birds. Allison is an honor student and also takes college level classes in pre-calculus and an AP statistics course.
Allison skipped third grade and said she missed out on learning cursive that year, but added that to her fourth-grade curriculum.
"I didn't mind so much," she said of moving up a grade above her classmates and friends. "The grade I was in - my friends moved away and I made new friends so it worked out," she said.
"She is sociably mature," said Tina Duliba, Falconer Central School guidance counselor
Allison said that she enjoys spending time horseback riding whenever she can. Although she is hindered during the winter months she rides several times a week during the summer.
"Going out for a long horseback ride in the afternoon is relaxing," she said. "I like horseback riding, hunting and fishing." She said she also enjoys squirrel and rabbit hunting with her dad who is an avid hunter and together they are training their Jack Russell for squirrel hunting.
Allison spends time working with horses and children during the summer as a volunteer at Miracle Mountain Ranch. She found out about the program through her mom's co-worker who also volunteers there.
She spent two weeks in the horse barn doing various chores such as cleaning out the horse stalls, grooming, saddling and feeding the horses, getting them ready for lessons and administering medication. After preparing the horses for the trail, she taught children how to ride the horses and supervised trail rides. Allison also went out and fixed fences during her time at the ranch.
"There was a lot of taking care of the horses," she said.
She spent another full week helping the nurse at the ranch care for campers that were sick or injured.
Volunteering for the Chautauqua County Humane Society is another acclaim on her list of credentials. She takes time out to socialize the cats and walk the dogs.
"She's absolutely awesome," said Ms. Duliba. "She has unlimited potential and has goals set for herself. She's gifted too."
Allison is looking into attending SUNY Environmental Science and Foresty in Syracuse - an affliate of Syracuse University and Cornell University - to pursue a career working with wildlife.
"Her love for animals probably is in her blood because her grandfather was a local veterinarian - the late Dr. Charles W. Sanderson," her mother Amy Sanderson said.
Mrs. Sanderson said that her daughter is well rounded and a wonderful daughter.
Allisons' dad is involved with the rod and gun club, the National Turkey Federation, several conservation clubs and she is involved in those organizations with him - which has taught her that game management is a good thing, she said.
"It's rubbed off on me,"she said.
Allison volunteers as a reading tutor for a third-grade student and is active in science, spanish, and art club, envirothon and this year was inducted into the National Honor Society.
Allison participates in cross country and track for sports and running is another activity that Allison finds relaxes her when she is enjoying some down time from her busy schedule.
"I like running not so much to win but to be in shape and sometimes when I'm running, it feels good," Allison said.
"She's found a way to have down time," said Ms. Duliba. "She has found a way to make time to relax."
As part of the First Presbyterian Church youth group, Allison went with her group to Arizona and Mexico to see and learn firsthand about the border issues.
She said that their group was given the opportunity to see both sides of the issues and talk to people who were illegal immigrants or knew an illegal immigrant.
"We got to see both sides," Allisionsaid.
One of the things she said she learned is due to the placement of the wall along the border, people are climbing over it and dying in the dessert in their pursuit to come to the United States and find jobs.
"It's a human rights issue," she said. "My youth group is trying to get more people educated about it."
Allison said that their youth group has been working on writing a letter to President Barack Obama about the situation and they want people to see their (illegal immigrants) side of the story.
"I think we sent the letter but haven't gotten a reply," she said.
According to Allison, the North American Free Trade Agreement is making it hard for illegal immigrants to find job opportunites and are climbing the wall into America to find jobs here.
As for keeping such a busy schedule, Ms. Duliba praised Allison for being able to keep it all together.
"She definitely has a great balance," said Ms. Duliba.
Allison said it is about moving things around, priorities and budgeting her time that allows her to be involved in so many activities in and out of school.
"She plans for herself and her course selection, her dreams and goals," said Ms. Duliba. "She is supported by her family, but they (her choices) are hers."
Ms. Duliba added that Allison is very well-organized.
