A mum of two has revealed how a rescue zoo has changed the life of her son, with the woman dressing as an elf to raise money in a bid to keep the place open.
Harry Rodriguez, 12, suffers from autism and sensory processing disorder, often struggling to communicate with those around him.
But thanks to the animals at Get to Know Animals rescue zoo in Epping, Essex, he has found happiness among the lizards, birds, and snakes.
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To thank the creatures responsible for helping him gain his confidence, mum Nicola and Harry spent their Christmas Eve dressed as an elf and a reindeer in a bid to raise money for the zoo.
“Up until he went to Get to Know Animals, he had no confidence, struggled with communication and interacting with anyone bar his Dad and me, “ Nicola told What’s The Jam.
“Harry now is like a different boy.
“Through his passion for animals (we call him Harry Packham after Chris!) he is now able to express himself through language.
“He has grown in confidence and is so happy.
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“He spends hours with the snakes, lizards, and birds, feeds their alligator, and loves handling everything.
“He wants to now be a Ranger there and he voluntarily helps here in the school holidays giving him structure and forming friendships.”
To help the struggling zoo, Nicola transformed the zoo into a treehouse grotto to attract more visitors to the place that helped her son come on leaps and bounds.
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She said: “My idea was to transform the loft area into a treehouse grotto which would entice more footfall.
“Harry and I wanted to do more to help, so I got Harry and me in a costume, which is something he’s never done before.
“It was brilliant and did choke me to see Harry joining in and getting into character.
“Harry is now doing things his dad and I never thought would be possible.
“I have worried continually what will happen with Harry, but now there is a potential career for him to work with animals.”
To help the rescue zoo stay open, Get To Know Animals have launched a crowdfunder page, hoping to properly thank the animals.
Offering a chance for someone to win the ‘ultimate day of animal experiences’, donators could win a whole day’s admission for four people and a guided tour of the zoo.
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