I remember when I first got those phobic and mean reactions from people about my snakes and hobby, it really bothered me. It took me a bit to realize the best way to be an advocate from day to day, is to just lead by example. My jobs know me as the snake lady and the horse lady, but mainly snake lady. I have people I've never told about my snakes at work come up and ask me questions all the time. Pretty much everyone at both jobs that knows I have snakes has eventually asked questions about them and answering them is a good opportunity to give them real information and open up their minds a little. I've gotten people from being afraid of snakes to holding them this way. I never force or pressure anyone though.
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