Animal Wonders Staff
Jessi Knudsen Castañeda
Co-Founder/Executive Director
Jessi's main focus is to make sure all the animal residents are healthy and happy. With degrees in Wildlife Education, Animal Behavior, and Exotic Animal Training and Management, Jessi still strives to learn something new everyday since our combined knowledge about animals and their care continues to improve year after year. When she's not spending time with the animals, sharing her passion for animals and education with others is Jessi's favorite thing to do. Her current favorite animal to educate about is Huckleberry the beaver.
Jessi's main focus is to make sure all the animal residents are healthy and happy. With degrees in Wildlife Education, Animal Behavior, and Exotic Animal Training and Management, Jessi still strives to learn something new everyday since our combined knowledge about animals and their care continues to improve year after year. When she's not spending time with the animals, sharing her passion for animals and education with others is Jessi's favorite thing to do. Her current favorite animal to educate about is Huckleberry the beaver.
Brit Garner
Development Director
Brit has a long history with Animal Wonders from volunteer, to consultant, to Board of Directors, and now Development Director! She holds a B.S. in Zoology from the University of Florida, a Masters in Marine Biology from the University of North Carolina Whilmington, and a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Montana. She makes connections with our communities and helps us fund the care of our animals and outreach programs.
Brit has a long history with Animal Wonders from volunteer, to consultant, to Board of Directors, and now Development Director! She holds a B.S. in Zoology from the University of Florida, a Masters in Marine Biology from the University of North Carolina Whilmington, and a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Montana. She makes connections with our communities and helps us fund the care of our animals and outreach programs.
Callie Dahlberg
Lead Wildlife Educator
Callie spends her days at Animal Wonders caring for the animals and educating the public all about the animals through our public presentations. She holds a degree in Elementary Education, from Montana State University and is an experienced educator in both formal and informal settings. Her passion lies in informal education where curiosity and excitement thrive.
Callie spends her days at Animal Wonders caring for the animals and educating the public all about the animals through our public presentations. She holds a degree in Elementary Education, from Montana State University and is an experienced educator in both formal and informal settings. Her passion lies in informal education where curiosity and excitement thrive.
Katherine Wendeln
Animal Keeper/Wildlife Educator (Interim Lead Educator)
Katherine brings a wealth of knowledge to our team and helps care for the many needs of the animal residents while also leading educational programs to our community. Her enthusiasm for wildlife education is infectious and when she gets talking about nature, you can't help but get excited along with her.
Katherine brings a wealth of knowledge to our team and helps care for the many needs of the animal residents while also leading educational programs to our community. Her enthusiasm for wildlife education is infectious and when she gets talking about nature, you can't help but get excited along with her.
Emily Thompson
Animal Keeper
Emily holds a BS degree in Zoology, with a minor in Communications, from Ball State University. She's cared for little critters, she's been on the big stage in St. Louis, Missouri for the World Bird Sanctuary, and we're happy to have her on the Animal Wonders Team! Emily is one of our primary keepers, helping care for the animals' daily needs and putting special attention into training the animal residents in voluntary husbandry care behaviors.
Emily holds a BS degree in Zoology, with a minor in Communications, from Ball State University. She's cared for little critters, she's been on the big stage in St. Louis, Missouri for the World Bird Sanctuary, and we're happy to have her on the Animal Wonders Team! Emily is one of our primary keepers, helping care for the animals' daily needs and putting special attention into training the animal residents in voluntary husbandry care behaviors.
Azure Larkwood
Animal Keeper
Azure holds a BFA in Musical Theater Performance and has aspirations to create an animal sanctuary of their own in the future. Azure brings a wealth of passion for the health and happiness of the animals and makes sure all the residents are clean, well fed, and comfortable. Azure exudes a feeling of calm and safety, and the animals respond in kind. We're grateful to have such a kind soul on our team.
Azure holds a BFA in Musical Theater Performance and has aspirations to create an animal sanctuary of their own in the future. Azure brings a wealth of passion for the health and happiness of the animals and makes sure all the residents are clean, well fed, and comfortable. Azure exudes a feeling of calm and safety, and the animals respond in kind. We're grateful to have such a kind soul on our team.
Augusto Castañeda
Co-Founder/Animal Keeper
Augusto has been helping care for the animals since before Animal Wonders was officially founded! He enjoys caring for the animals and supporting the animal care team and wildlife educators wherever help is needed the most. When he's not helping to keep everything running smoothly, he keeps busy with his three kids, beautiful fish tanks, and getting outside whenever possible to enjoy the beauty Montana has to offer.
Augusto has been helping care for the animals since before Animal Wonders was officially founded! He enjoys caring for the animals and supporting the animal care team and wildlife educators wherever help is needed the most. When he's not helping to keep everything running smoothly, he keeps busy with his three kids, beautiful fish tanks, and getting outside whenever possible to enjoy the beauty Montana has to offer.
Heather Shaw
Office Assistant
Heather helps us keep all the bits and pieces organized and flowing smoothly. From coordinating transportation for new animal rescues, to merchandise fulfillment, to donor relations, Heather helps make the magic happen behind the scenes.
Heather helps us keep all the bits and pieces organized and flowing smoothly. From coordinating transportation for new animal rescues, to merchandise fulfillment, to donor relations, Heather helps make the magic happen behind the scenes.
Volunteers
Kylie Meyer
Jenah Mead
Solen LeBihan
Rick Knudsen
Emily Mantalvo
Jenah Mead
Solen LeBihan
Rick Knudsen
Emily Mantalvo