Good Deeds: Zoo volunteer willing to help out in all areas

Lou Perrier started volunteering at the Sedgwick County Zoo in 2001 and has since donated 2,092 hours of his time.

This past year, he was recognized by the zoo as its 2013 Volunteer of the Year. To earn that distinction, he has shoveled snow, painted lines in the parking lot, emptied ashes from the incinerator and helped with, as he terms it, “poop scooping.”

“If ever there was a person who put their expertise, talents, free time, great personality and best foot forward to help, it is surely Lou Perrier,” said William Bryant, senior veterinarian at the zoo.

A retired engineer, Perrier has earned a reputation for doing anything that’s asked of him.

“I enjoy contributing something to the community, and it is nice to get out and see the animals at the zoo,” said Perrier, 75.

It is a joy, Perrier said, to see animals before they go into the exhibits.

“I grew up on a ranch northwest of Eureka,” Perrier said. “I don’t have any problem at all being around animals.

“Keep in mind, I don’t have direct contact with them, but you still get to see and watch them.”

This story was originally published April 27, 2014 at 1:01 PM with the headline "Good Deeds: Zoo volunteer willing to help out in all areas."