This message was copied from the venomous forum of this website. Sorry for the double post, but I am trying to reach as many people as possible.
Hello all,
About 6 months ago, I posted a question asking for someone willing to "train" me in handling venomous snakes. I had 3 or 4 very nice gentlemen reply to me, saying they would be willing to work with me. Unfortunately at the time I was only 17 years old, and I think that working with a minor caused some more people to not want to work with me because of liability reasons. I spoke with three keepers in my area who worked with hots, more specifically Gaboons and Rhinos. At the time I was most interested in learning to work with the Desert Horned Viper (Cerastes Cerastes). One person who kept both Gaboons and Rhinos emailed me, but when I emailed him back I never heard back, it could have been a technical error on my emails part. Another local keeper (I believe he said he kept over 20 venomous reptiles) agreed to work with me, and we were trying to set up a time to meet. Unfortunately my old email account deletes my mail 30 days after I read it. I lost this persons email address, as well as the other keeper who contacted me. I met one more gentlemen who contacted me who was a keeper of both venomous snakes and a few venomoids (although I now disagree with the venomoid procedure, his are performed by a licensed vet.). Immediately I went for the instant gratification / satisfaction and decided, why should I spend so much time learning how to handle the snake when I could simply buy a venomoid, and be done with it. I even defended the venomoid practice on here in one thread. At the time all I could think about was how much I wanted one of these snakes, and the instant gratification route. Many members flamed me. However, I came to my senses a few months later and realized that I wouldn't want to alter a snake, just so that I can gain personal satisfaction from it. After another few months, I built up the courage to post an apology to all the serious venomous keepers here who I may have offended with my postings. If you missed that thread, again, I am sorry.
So back to the original question. I would like to be trained by someone who keeps venomous snakes, more specifically Gaboons and Rhinos. I would also like to learn the proper procedure for handling hots so as to aid myself in handling my aggressive non-venomous snakes, and cause them the least amount of stress as possible. If because of a liability issue, you don't feel comfortable with me working with your hots (after you feel I'm ready of course, however long that might take) I would just like to possibly observe (from as far a distance as you feel is necessary) you working with hots. I live on Long Island, New York, and I am willing to travel to meet someone who could take me on as an apprentice. I would be willing to clean cages and aid you with your snakes in any way that I can. After I train under a mentor, I might decide that venomous snakes are not for me, but I would like to make an attempt at it.
All I ask is that you give me a chance. If you meet me and decide that you don't want to work with me, then I will respect your decision. I would like to take the right path to owning a venomous snake. I would be in full compliance with your decisions. I would follow any rules and regulations that you identify, and will start with whatever species you feel is best for me when the time comes, and eventually work my way up into working with a Rhino or gaboon. I realize that Rhino and Gaboon Vipers are DEFINITELY NOT a starter hot as they seem lethargic and it is easy to get comfortable and careless around them, but when they do decide to strike, their power is astonishing. So, I would be willing to keep another more suitable species (copperhead maybe) to work with before the Rhino or Gaboon. I would not keep any species until you were sure I am ready, and I obtained the proper permits, and secured antivenin for that particular species. I would preferably when the time comes start off with a small rhino or gaboon that was hatched the year you feel I am ready.
If you are one of the original people who emailed me or someone new in my area who would like to work with me, please email me at ember223@aol.com, or respond in here. If you would like to meet me first, before you decide if you want to train me, I understand that as well. Again, I live in Smithtown, NY, but my Dad is a fireman in Queens (Engine 306) so I would have no problem traveling to meet someone in the city, I could possibly even travel as far as parts Connecticut, or parts of New Jersey.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Ralph
P.S. I currently keep the herps listed in my sig, but I have worked with more aggressive and dangerous herps in the past, including large snapping turtles, and some very snappy snakes.
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0.0.1 Argentine Black and White Tegu
0.0.1 Baby Aru Green Tree Python R.I.P. 01/26/04 
2.1 Bearded Dragon
0.0.4 Hatchling Bearded Dragons
1.1 Honduran Milksnake
1.0 Florida Brooksi Kingsnake
1.0 Blood Red Cornsnake
1.0 Jungle Carpet Python
0.1 Desert Kingsnake
1.0 Western Hognose Snake
1.0 Bull Mastiff
