Here's some of our staff and volunteers at EARS!
Samson & Sue
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BIOS
Stephanie Barnes, since childhood, always loved animals. She enjoys traveling around the world & has fallen in love with South Africa. She has seen lions, cheetahs, and leopards in the wild. On one of her trips, she even had the rare opportunity to follow behind a leopard while it stalked it's prey. She has a fondness for big cats and is an advocate for educating the public on preserving them in the wild. While Stephanie was employed as a community bank manager, one of her customers told her about EARS & the rest is history. Stephanie is passionate about helping animals & feels she was meant to be at EARS. She promotes EARS & also organizes EARS day membership tours.
David Nassivera came to EARS to offer his services after the hurricanes of 2004 devastated the EARS compound. He was instrumental in helping to clear the facility of many of the downed trees and to repair the damage that had been done to many of the structures. David continues to be an integral part of EARS, helping with cage construction as well as various other projects.
Emma Oding first became a volunteer at EARS in September of 2003. It was her intense love for animals which initially inspired her to work at EARS. Emma says over the years EARS has begun to feel like a second home to her, and the people she works with have begun to feel like family. She says if she has it her way, she will be a part of EARS for many more years to come. No problems there as Emma is a much loved part of EARS and we are delighted to have her back with us!
Currently, outside of volunteering at EARS, Emma is a full time nurse at a local physical rehabilitation hospital and she is also enrolled as a student part time at the University of Central Florida.
Currently, outside of volunteering at EARS, Emma is a full time nurse at a local physical rehabilitation hospital and she is also enrolled as a student part time at the University of Central Florida.
Joseph Keen is the Safety and Health Coordinator. Joseph has a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety, Health and Fire Science and is a Paramedic. He joined EARS following the 2004 Hurricane season and enjoys working to ensure that both the animals and the staff are safe through cage design, construction and inspections. With the assistance of Gail Bowen and the knowledgable staff at EARS, he wrote the standard operating procedures and the emergency operations manual with a special emphasis on the weather unique to Florida. He works with the staff to resolve any safety health issues.
Sue Nassivera came to EARS with her husband David after the hurricanes of 2004. She raised and takes care of the leopards Tafari and Odoki, and assists with feeding the animals and maintaining clean and safe enclosures. Sue and her husband David took on raising a tiger cub that came to EARS with serious health issues. Sampson lived only a short time, but lived a quality life due to the love of Sue and David. Sue also hosts many of the EARS fundraisers.
Tammy Keen is the Animal Enrichment Coordinator. Tammy has a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Arts in Vocal Performance, and has been an elementary music teacher for the past 20 years. She has been a volunteer for several years and enjoys all the animals at EARS. Tammy has been researching what spices, toys, and music each of the exotic animals like and dislike. In this way she can provide enrichment tailored to each particular animal that calls EARS home.
