Thirteen-year-old Brandy is an animal lover at heart. She adores all animals, but she is particularly fond of household pets.

With that love in mind, Brady’s recent visit to the Marine Animal Rescue site for a “Thursday’s Child” television filming was special.

During the visit, Brandy had the opportunity to spend some quality time with 42 baby harbor seals and learn the intricacies of their care before their eventual release into the wild.

During her visit, Brandy was asked to help feed the seals and record how much and what type of fish one particular seal ate. She also learned that each seal has different weight goals and that some of the seals also receive medication as part of their care.

Brandy said she has given some thought to studying oceanography in college. After her experiences at Marine Animal Rescue, she said that her future college plans could well include working with marine animals.

When not interacting with animals, Brandy has a wonderful ability to engage and make friends. She is outgoing, as seen by her participation in her school’s color guard. She also enjoys surfing the Internet, listening to music and singing.

Brandy came into the care of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services in 1999. Although she makes friends easily, Brandy has a difficult time socializing in large groups.

She has been described as “inquisitive, resilient, funny and willing to try new things.” One of Brandy’s challenges is a visual motor-organizational deficit, which affects her academics. She requires assistance with schoolwork and participates in weekly therapy sessions.

Brandy’s adoptive parents must be patient and allow her the space and time she needs to adjust to a new family. Brandy will not attach immediately to a caretaker because she wants to know that she can trust the individual.

Brandy’s adoptive parents, therefore, will need to understand that they may not have an immediate parent-daughter connection with her. Brandy would be most successful in a single-mother family or two-parent family. She also would do best as the oldest or only child in a family.

Brandy would love to have pets in an adoptive home. She has said that she would like an adoptive family that is “nice and will provide me with a home and love.”

For information about Brandy or the 229 other Maine children seeking an adoptive home, please contact A Family for ME at (877) 505-0545 or visit www.afamilyforme.org.