Ria Wood

Ria Wood is an avid animal lover and advocate for all creatures great and small. She has an undergraduate degree nearing completion in psychology and biology. She owns and operates Feather Fur & Fin Pet Sitting Service, which provides in-home pet care to a variety of domesticated animals. She also works at the lovely Karma’s Café in downtown Peterborough.  

As a young child, Ria was fortunate to grow up on a 56-acre parcel of land located on the edge of the Ganaraska forest. It was there that she developed a deep respect, understanding and connection to nature. She spent many hours observing and interacting with critters and over the years it became apparent that animals were going to be a big part of Ria’s life. Her mother was and continues to be a big inspiration, support and knowledge contributor to the field of wildlife rehabilitation. Ria took the Ontario Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Network course and exam in 2015 and obtained her wildlife custodian license in 2019. Ria joined the centre in January of 2019 to take on the role of wildlife custodian.  Her role at KWC is head of animal care and will oversee all operations involved in capture, treatment, husbandry, and release of wildlife. 

When Ria is not at the wildlife centre, she is productively pursuing her passion of Brazilian Jiu jitsu and Muay Thai. She is also dedicated to her inner work of meditation practice, with an understanding that to act compassionately towards others, one must first understand and act compassionately towards oneself. She also enjoys plant based cooking and interior camping/hiking. Sheloves matcha green tea and she is also known as the Squirrel Girl.   

Thom Luloff

Thom Luloff is a Professor of Fish and Wildlife Sciences at Fleming College, having completed his degree in medical science from the University of Western Ontario.  In addition to teaching he works as a research collaborator at the Toronto Zoo with the species at risk program.  He is the Chair of Kawartha Wildlife Centre, bringing his expertise in animal ecology and biology to help guide the organization in making decisions that are ecologically sound and best serve Ontario's native species. Thom also serves as the Director of Education and Public Outreach for Kawartha Wildlife Centre and creates and coordinates the strategy to promote wildlife education in our local communities.  Thom grew up on a farm outside of Pembroke Ontario and currently lives in Peterborough with this wife and three kids.  His favourite colour is green and he has a dislike of chocolate ice cream.  

Maggie Mierzejewski

Coming Soon