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 every day. She's inspired by knowing our combined knowledge about animals and their care continues to improve year after year. When she's not spending time with the animals, she keeps busy with her three children, creating art, and coaching middle school basketball. 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 every day. She's inspired by knowing our combined knowledge about animals and their care continues to improve year after year. When she's not spending time with the animals, she keeps busy with her three children, creating art, and coaching middle school basketball. 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.
Augusto Castañeda
Co-Founder
Augusto has been helping care for the animals since before Animal Wonders was officially founded! He holds a BS in Anthropology and degrees in Exotic Animal Training and Management. Augusto 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 holds a BS in Anthropology and degrees in Exotic Animal Training and Management. Augusto 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.
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.
Emily Thompson
Lead 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 leads our animal care team, coordinating the animals' daily needs, and excels at 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 leads our animal care team, coordinating the animals' daily needs, and excels at training the animal residents in voluntary husbandry care behaviors.
Kristen Pacher
Animal Keeper
Kristen has a BS degree in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana. She has worked with a wide variety of critters prior to coming to Animal Wonders, from native Montana species to exotic pets. She's passionate about making sure all our animal ambassadors can live their happiest heathiest lives! When she's not at Animal Wonders, she likes to hike, go birding, and get involved in Missoula's local art and music scene.
Kristen has a BS degree in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana. She has worked with a wide variety of critters prior to coming to Animal Wonders, from native Montana species to exotic pets. She's passionate about making sure all our animal ambassadors can live their happiest heathiest lives! When she's not at Animal Wonders, she likes to hike, go birding, and get involved in Missoula's local art and music scene.
Liz Day
Lead Wildlife Educator
Liz brings decades of experience with dog training, client relations, small business ownership, and public speaking. She is an absolute delight when she's in a room full of curious and joyful kids. Liz spends her days at Animal Wonders training new and old animal ambassadors, travel to public presentations, connecting with teachers, parents, and community members, and helping everyone on the team. She will often have her little furry friend, Cosmo the rat, riding on her shoulders as she goes about her day.
Liz brings decades of experience with dog training, client relations, small business ownership, and public speaking. She is an absolute delight when she's in a room full of curious and joyful kids. Liz spends her days at Animal Wonders training new and old animal ambassadors, travel to public presentations, connecting with teachers, parents, and community members, and helping everyone on the team. She will often have her little furry friend, Cosmo the rat, riding on her shoulders as she goes about her day.
Hannah Dusek
Wildlife Educator
Hannah spends her days at Animal Wonders loving on her best buddy, Mellon the Virginia opossum, enjoying the hot summer days with our summer campers, and educating the public all about the animals through our public presentations. When she's not at Animal Wonders, you can find her creating and dancing all throughout our Missoula community.
Hannah spends her days at Animal Wonders loving on her best buddy, Mellon the Virginia opossum, enjoying the hot summer days with our summer campers, and educating the public all about the animals through our public presentations. When she's not at Animal Wonders, you can find her creating and dancing all throughout our Missoula community.
Sage Hall
Animal Keeper & Wildlife Educator
Sage spends her days at Animal Wonders caring for the animal residents and educating the public all about the animals through our public presentations. She is an experienced dog sitter and caregiver. Her gentle and calm energy is appreciated by all of the animals under her care.
Sage spends her days at Animal Wonders caring for the animal residents and educating the public all about the animals through our public presentations. She is an experienced dog sitter and caregiver. Her gentle and calm energy is appreciated by all of the animals under her care.
Nolan Howard
Animal Keeper
Nolan began as a volunteer and through his dedication and respect for the animals and his human co-workers, he became a valuable member of the Keeper Team. He specializes in reptiles and helps keep all of the scaly friends and Animal Wonders.
Nolan began as a volunteer and through his dedication and respect for the animals and his human co-workers, he became a valuable member of the Keeper Team. He specializes in reptiles and helps keep all of the scaly friends and Animal Wonders.
Jacob Castañeda
Animal Keeper
Jacob is the newest member of the Animal Wonders team. He spends his days keeping the animals clean and healthy. Jacob has brought along his amazing skills of building and problem solving, so he helps keep up on repairs to the animal center.
Jacob is the newest member of the Animal Wonders team. He spends his days keeping the animals clean and healthy. Jacob has brought along his amazing skills of building and problem solving, so he helps keep up on repairs to the animal center.
Volunteers
Nolan Howard
Solen LeBihan
Rick Knudsen
Mike Carr
Solen LeBihan
Rick Knudsen
Mike Carr