How one intern’s innovative project is shaping the future of otter health
When Isabella joined the Virginia Living Museum as an animal enrichment intern, she expected to spend much of her time observing animal behavior and designing creative ways to encourage natural instincts like digging, sniffing, and pouncing. What she didn’t expect was to find herself at the center of a groundbreaking project—designing a specialized EKG holder for Nora, one of the museum’s beloved otters.
A First-of-Its-Kind Project
The idea started when staff recognized the need for a more efficient way to monitor Nora’s heart health. Previous EKG holders existed—but only for primates. With Nora’s wellbeing in mind, Isabella was challenged to take on the task of adapting and designing a version suitable for an otter.
“It was exciting to realize this hadn’t been done before,” Isabella explained. “This is the first time it has been used on an otter.”
Trial, Error, and Innovation
Designing such a tool wasn’t simple. Isabella used 3D modeling software and printers to develop multiple versions of the holder, often running into challenges with scaling and detail.
“There was a lot of trial and error,” she said. “The screw in my first design didn’t work, and I had to rethink the size to make sure both the EKG and the phone would fit. It took three iterations before I created one that fully worked.”
But persistence paid off. The breakthrough moment came when her design successfully held both devices, allowing staff to test it on Nora.
Why It Matters for Nora—and Beyond
This project may seem like a small piece of equipment, but for the otters and animal care team, it’s revolutionary. With an effective EKG holder, medical monitoring becomes safer, smoother, and less stressful for both animals and staff.
“I’m mostly happy that I’m getting to work on something that’s going to help benefit the medical care and overall health of an animal here,” Isabella shared.
Inspiring the Future of Animal Care
What began as an internship assignment turned into something much bigger—an example of how creative thinking and determination can directly improve the lives of animals. Isabella’s project is not just a milestone for her but also a meaningful step forward in the museum’s commitment to innovative animal care.
At the Virginia Living Museum, volunteers and interns like Isabella are essential partners in this mission, helping us discover new ways to care for the incredible animals that call the museum home.
If Isabella’s story inspires you, we’d love for you to join our community of volunteers. Whether you’re a student eager to gain hands-on experience, or someone who simply loves nature and wants to give back, there’s a place for you here. Every hour of time and every project—big or small—helps us care for the animals and connect people to the natural world.
Learn more about volunteering at the Virginia Living Museum.
