{"id":22745,"date":"2023-05-04T12:41:15","date_gmt":"2023-05-04T17:41:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/letters-science\/?p=22745"},"modified":"2023-12-05T10:20:32","modified_gmt":"2023-12-05T16:20:32","slug":"alumnas-tiny-zoo-aims-to-quell-fears-about-creepy-creatures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/letters-science\/in-focus-2023\/alumnas-tiny-zoo-aims-to-quell-fears-about-creepy-creatures\/","title":{"rendered":"Alumna\u2019s \u2018tiny zoo\u2019 aims to quell fears about creepy creatures"},"content":{"rendered":"

Forget about the canary in the coal mine.<\/p>\n

Reptiles and amphibians are excellent guides \u2013 indicator species \u2013 showing the initial impacts of long-term environmental change. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important for people to overcome the stigma often attached to these \u201ccreepy crawlies\u201d and get to know them, said Tatiana Gritsevskiy, a 51ÁÔÆæ alumna who is working to educate people about the importance of reptiles, amphibians and insects in the world\u2019s ecosystems.<\/p>\n

Gritsevskiy earned her degree in conservation and environmental sciences in 2019 with a double minor in biology and geography. She has developed a business, Tatiana\u2019s Tiny Zoo<\/a>, to share her love of the creatures that some people find scary or icky and educate them on how to adopt and\/or care for them.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re misunderstood. Many people have negative attitudes toward them,\u201d Gritsevskiy said. Her collection of pets includes tarantulas, millipedes, a ball python, a boa constrictor, a poison dart frog, a blue tongued skink, a few garter snakes and other reptiles, amphibians and insects.<\/p>\n

Tatiana\u2019s Tiny Zoo grew out of her interest in educating people about the roles these creatures play in the ecosystem. She goes out to classrooms, libraries, Scout meetings, pet stores, senior centers, birthday parties and anywhere else where there\u2019s an interest in learning and enjoying some hands-on activities. She even took part in Milwaukee Comic Con, sharing her work as a volunteer for Reptile Rescue.<\/p>\n

\u201cI always loved animals and nature when I was growing up,\u201d she said. In high school, she worked at a pet store in Mequon. When it came time for college, she originally thought she might enroll in a pre-veterinary program. However, after working in a vet clinic, she decided she wasn\u2019t cut out to be a vet herself. That led her to 51ÁÔÆæ and the conservation program.<\/p>\n

However, the pandemic affected opportunities in the field.<\/p>\n

Popular YouTube channel<\/strong><\/p>\n

When she lost her job and was isolated from most of the rest of the world, she decided to set up an educational YouTube channel<\/a> about the natural history, care and feeding of both the unusual critters she\u2019d collected herself and others around the world. She\u2019d started out as a film major at 51ÁÔÆæ, so the channel, which now has more than 3,000 followers, was a good fit with her skills. From there, the business of doing presentations took off two years ago. She also works at the Hawthorn Glen nature preserve, designing and presenting educational programs.<\/p>\n

Her personal zoo grew along with her interests.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started out with a gecko, then another snake, and it just sort of spiraled from there.\u201d Today, Gritsevskiy has 23 creatures, including a couple \u201cregular\u201d pets like a dog and an elderly ferret, which aren\u2019t part of the zoo. She also has a very understanding landlord who doesn\u2019t mind that her second bedroom is now the reptile room. Gritsevskiy said she is careful to follow all city and other regulations on the numbers and types of pets allowed.<\/p>\n

If she does a presentation that\u2019s interactive, she brings some of the creatures with her to share. For example, a ball python that she\u2019s had for seven years since it was a baby is very \u201csocialized,\u201d she said, and enjoys being part of the show.<\/p>\n

Clients enthusiastic<\/strong><\/p>\n

Clients are enthusiastic about the visits.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were so happy to welcome Tatiana and her Tiny Zoo to the Milwaukee Center for Independence,\u201d said Erin Dentice, supervisor-life services at the organization. \u201cOur clients thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the animals. Pet therapy positively impacts our clients\u2019 energy levels, self-esteem, and mood.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Gritsevskiy was at 51ÁÔÆæ, she said, she was very shy about speaking up in class, but now her YouTube features and public presentations have helped her become much more outgoing and confident.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a great experience running my own business.\u201d<\/p>\n

By Kathy Quirk, University Relations<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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