WACO (KCEN)- It's national recognition for the care of a special animal and last week two Cameron Park zookeepers got an international award for their care of a giraffe.
They're credited with helping ease the animals congenital disease.
Krista Seeburger and Rachael Chappell recently got back from Oakland, Calif. where they won an international award for giraffe care.
"These zoo keepers are incredibly special, as was Julie," said Terri Cox of Cameron Park Zoo.
Julie the giraffe didn't like most zookeepers, but seemed to form a very special bond with zookeeper Rachael and Krista.
"She chose me, more than I chose her," Rachael said.
"There would be other keepers, that, you know she'd play games with, and you know go off and do quirky stuff, and then they would call us," Krista said.
That affection would change Julie's life.
Julie's front right foot was disfigured and she was in constant pain.
Medical treatments worked until she refused to cooperate in 2009 and it was up to Rachael and Krista.
"Instead of having her do what we wanted her to do, we worked around her," said Rachael Chappell.
Constantly together it took a year just to earn her trust.
"Sometimes we would give up our lunch to go train with her," Krista said.
And it worked. She almost made 19 years of age.
On July 1, 2011 Julie's disease got the best of her. The vets came, and peacefully euthanized her, and Krista and Rachael said their last goodbyes.
The award recognized the quality of life the two gave Julie, but for Krista and Rachael, it's what Julie gave them.
"She was pretty special to me, because I felt like if I was a giraffe I would be Julie," Krista said.
"I like to say the love of my life is a giraffe," Rachael said.
Krista and Rachael made a T-shirt depicting Julie and sold it at the awards conference.
They raised $1,500 for giraffe conservation.
Reporter: Joshua Skurnik and Megan Dahle / Photographer: Joshua Skurnik
