Animals have been part of my life for as long as I can remember—cats, dogs, rabbits, chickens, hamsters, guinea pigs, rats, mice… even sugar gliders, lynxes, and hermit crabs. But reptiles? There was an instant connection. It started with the very first snake I ever caught in my front yard, it was just a little orange and grey Rosy Boa [Lichanura orcutti] who I unsuccessfully tried to get eating pinks and later released.

I grew up catching horned-lizards in the desert and "blue-bellies" in the forest, I have watched many a  southern alligator lizard sunning on a brick wall, we even helped foster animals for the Living Desert. When I was In fifth grade we rescued a Desert Box Turtle, her name was Henrietta and my love of reptiles continued to grow. Since then, I’ve cared for slider turtles, various pythons, asstd. geckos, desert tortoises, neo-tropical tree boas, and now my absolute favorite: The Plains Hog-Nosed Snake. We have even recently expanded our Exotic Family to include various Tarantulas.

My home has always been a safe place for misunderstood species and wayward creatures. Every animal I’ve kept has taught me something different about patience, presence, and respect—and that philosophy guides everything we do here.