Ian Tite
Ian has always had a very keen interest in reptiles and exotic species of all kinds including insects both native and non-native. He has spent much time studying the science of insect survival and has a great knowledge of species from around the world, their habitats, requirements and fascinating facts which are mostly self-taught. He now has a level 3 diploma in Zoology and has completed a venomous handling course.
After building 'Crazy Creatures' for more than a decade and finding a passion for SEN and wellbeing sessions, Ian has since qualified as a level 3 Animal Assisted Therapy practitioner, diplomas in SEN, as well as certificates in child protection and safeguarding. He has developed a real affinity with young people and teens, including SENMH young people.
Along with wife Amy, Ian now keeps the whole range of 'Crazy Creatures' at home at our Minstead site. Ian is particularly fond of the snakes, bugs and venomous creatures, and has a wealth of knowledge to share about all things scaly and creepy!
Ian has always had a very keen interest in reptiles and exotic species of all kinds including insects both native and non-native. He has spent much time studying the science of insect survival and has a great knowledge of species from around the world, their habitats, requirements and fascinating facts which are mostly self-taught. He now has a level 3 diploma in Zoology and has completed a venomous handling course.
After building 'Crazy Creatures' for more than a decade and finding a passion for SEN and wellbeing sessions, Ian has since qualified as a level 3 Animal Assisted Therapy practitioner, diplomas in SEN, as well as certificates in child protection and safeguarding. He has developed a real affinity with young people and teens, including SENMH young people.
Along with wife Amy, Ian now keeps the whole range of 'Crazy Creatures' at home at our Minstead site. Ian is particularly fond of the snakes, bugs and venomous creatures, and has a wealth of knowledge to share about all things scaly and creepy!
Amy Tite
After qualifying from a 2 year National Diploma in Animal Care in 2001, Amy moved onto keeping exotic species having passed management of exotics & herpetology with a distinction. Also completing a small animal handling certificate, diet & nutrition, equine care & management and vet nursing, she now keeps a whole variety of species of Equine, Canine, Farm, Reptiles, Avian and Exotics at home along with her husband, Ian.
Amy has a fond love of the mammals and birds, having spent her life with horses & dogs too. She also generally handles all the hand-rearing, animal training/healthcare, and the majority of the admin for Crazy Creatures. Amy is also qualified in Mental Health First Aid and childcare, has a particular interest in life skill coaching for young people.
After qualifying from a 2 year National Diploma in Animal Care in 2001, Amy moved onto keeping exotic species having passed management of exotics & herpetology with a distinction. Also completing a small animal handling certificate, diet & nutrition, equine care & management and vet nursing, she now keeps a whole variety of species of Equine, Canine, Farm, Reptiles, Avian and Exotics at home along with her husband, Ian.
Amy has a fond love of the mammals and birds, having spent her life with horses & dogs too. She also generally handles all the hand-rearing, animal training/healthcare, and the majority of the admin for Crazy Creatures. Amy is also qualified in Mental Health First Aid and childcare, has a particular interest in life skill coaching for young people.
Francesca ('Frankie') Cooper
Frankie has been an avid follower and provided great support for Ian, Amy & the Creatures over the years. Frankie joined part-time in early 2021, and is a very valuable member of the team! With a background in dementia care/ residential homes, we are thrilled the Frankie is enabling us to expand our animal assisted therapy & wellbeing, as well as increase availability. Since being with Crazy Creatures, Frankie has also gained a distinction in a diploma in Herpetology. She has developed a keen interest in all things invertebrate too!
Keeping dogs & exotics and enjoying reptile, canine & equine care throughout her life, Frankie's experience as well as creative talents also offers exciting new concepts for our creature clubs and creations/crafting classes.
Frankie has been an avid follower and provided great support for Ian, Amy & the Creatures over the years. Frankie joined part-time in early 2021, and is a very valuable member of the team! With a background in dementia care/ residential homes, we are thrilled the Frankie is enabling us to expand our animal assisted therapy & wellbeing, as well as increase availability. Since being with Crazy Creatures, Frankie has also gained a distinction in a diploma in Herpetology. She has developed a keen interest in all things invertebrate too!
Keeping dogs & exotics and enjoying reptile, canine & equine care throughout her life, Frankie's experience as well as creative talents also offers exciting new concepts for our creature clubs and creations/crafting classes.
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Vicky Walters Vicky joined the team in early 2024 and has proven a great asset for sessions, visitors and animal husbandry, as well as helping with the B&B and site maintenance too. She has an extensive animal care background predominantly in farm and mammals, growing up on an alpaca farm and owning sheep, llamas, dogs and other small animals, plus quickly grew a love of the reptiles too, with two snakes of her own at home now! With young children of her own, Vicky has a kind nature and experience with youngsters especially. Now attending college one day per week, Vicky is also studying for a level 2 in counselling, with an interest in supporting people through animal intervention. |
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Liz Bridges Liz is lovely a long-standing, part-time team member often found at larger events and displays, as well as some sessions both mobile and on site. Amy & Liz have worked together for some years in the veterinary sector, and having completed some veterinary nurse training, Liz is now working and studying locally in canine hydrotherapy. As well as dogs of her own, she has a lovely horse, enjoys riding and owns a snake too! At events, you will inevitably find her with a snake or two to share! Liz is fond of all the animals on site and a great help for animal husbadry, with the exception of birds who she admires from a distance!! |
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Elenor Flood Elenor has been a visitor of Crazy Creatures since a child attending Creature Club some years ago! She has since grown up and begun helping out with club and at weekends, before gaining a place at Sparsholt college in 2023 where she has spent a year on day placement with work experience here at Minstead. Elenor has settled well into the team, and is a great help with the animals too, she can be found both on site here, or helping at larger events and displays where she is keen to interact with the public and share knowledge of the animals. Elenor plans to study Zoology after her final college year in 2025, and we hope that she will stick around to be part of the team! |