Christine Sevilla accompanies Gigi on every visit to the zoo. While she often does not know how people will react to Gigi, one thing Sevilla did know was that the zoo would be open to helping her daughter have a great experience. Mendez, she says, has been the "gatekeeper," making sure all doors, figuratively and literally, are open to Gigi – and any other scholars that need assistance. Mendez notes that, to Gigi's peers, she's just another kid.