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Meet the HEART Team
JoAnn Nichols: Chief Wildlife Officer, Owner
JoAnn Nichols: Chief Wildlife Officer, Owner
JoAnn Nichols: Chief Wildlife Officer, Owner
A licensed wildlife rehabilitator with nearly 40 years of experience with animals, JoAnn has spent her life helping manage issues that arise between animals and humans. She has worked at oil spills, helping wash affected wildlife, and been a cruelty investigator for the Humane Society for 20 years. She serves as an Animal Control Officer
A licensed wildlife rehabilitator with nearly 40 years of experience with animals, JoAnn has spent her life helping manage issues that arise between animals and humans. She has worked at oil spills, helping wash affected wildlife, and been a cruelty investigator for the Humane Society for 20 years. She serves as an Animal Control Officer in local municipalities and trains law enforcement on animal issues. She started helping homeowners and businesses humanely manage wildlife issues in 2010, which became HEART Wildlife Removal, in 2015.
Bethany Smith: Humane Wildlife Specialist
JoAnn Nichols: Chief Wildlife Officer, Owner
JoAnn Nichols: Chief Wildlife Officer, Owner
Originally from a small town in Massachusetts, Bethany arrived in Burlington to attend the wildlife biology program at UVM in 2019. After what can only be referred to as a “unique” college experience due to the pandemic, she’s found it hard to think about leaving Vermont just yet (if ever).
Before joining the HEART wildlife team, Bethany g
Originally from a small town in Massachusetts, Bethany arrived in Burlington to attend the wildlife biology program at UVM in 2019. After what can only be referred to as a “unique” college experience due to the pandemic, she’s found it hard to think about leaving Vermont just yet (if ever).
Before joining the HEART wildlife team, Bethany gained most of her professional experience in wildlife research and teaching assistantships with UVM. These opportunities led her to positions coordinating volunteers for both the Friends of the Winooski River and the Humane Society of Chittenden County. While she certainly loves cats and dogs too, she is excited to get back into her passion which is working to help our native wildlife species. Bethany and her partner, Patrick, also have two lovely rabbits at home named Baxter and Bloom.
Triana Kozak: Humane Wildlife Specialist
JoAnn Nichols: Chief Wildlife Officer, Owner
Triana Kozak: Humane Wildlife Specialist
Triana has had a love for animals and wildlife since the beginning. From rescuing and feeding strays in the area, to helping turtles cross the road to safety, she has always had a soft spot for anything fluffy, scaly, or feathery. Triana graduated from UVM, majoring in Psychology, and began working with HEART Wildlife at the start of the
Triana has had a love for animals and wildlife since the beginning. From rescuing and feeding strays in the area, to helping turtles cross the road to safety, she has always had a soft spot for anything fluffy, scaly, or feathery. Triana graduated from UVM, majoring in Psychology, and began working with HEART Wildlife at the start of the pandemic in 2020.
She was a veterinary technician at the Humane Society of Chittenden County, working with animals (the domestic variety!) awaiting their next homes at the shelter and helping community members' pets with their veterinary & medical needs. She lives in Hinesburg with her husband, daughter, dog, and two rescue cats, where they can enjoy all the nature and wildlife that Vermont has to offer.
Ben Kozak: Home Repair Specialist
Patty Tashiro: Co-Founder, Emeritus
Triana Kozak: Humane Wildlife Specialist
Ben has a background of 14 years of construction related experience, including utilizing ladders and being comfortable with heights and working on rooftops. He is a skilled handyman and has worked in multiple trades, from helping build the popular outdoor obstacle course at Arbortrek in Smugglers Notch, climbing trees as an arborist, to i
Ben has a background of 14 years of construction related experience, including utilizing ladders and being comfortable with heights and working on rooftops. He is a skilled handyman and has worked in multiple trades, from helping build the popular outdoor obstacle course at Arbortrek in Smugglers Notch, climbing trees as an arborist, to installing solar energy systems. Ben has owned many pets growing up, has always had a love for the wildlife of Vermont. Ben became a part of the HEART Wildlife Removal team in 2024, after many years of watching his wife, Triana, work with humane wildlife exclusion.
Outside of work, Ben enjoys spending time outdoors with his family, cooking, and working on woodworking projects.
Patty Tashiro: Co-Founder, Emeritus
Patty Tashiro: Co-Founder, Emeritus
Patty Tashiro: Co-Founder, Emeritus
An animal lover with a background in business, Patty was excited to partner with JoAnn in 2015 to establish HEART Wildlife Removal and help it grow. She has worked in various capacities at HEART Wildlife, from providing educational information to helping establish office systems. She is currently focusing on developing a platform to help
An animal lover with a background in business, Patty was excited to partner with JoAnn in 2015 to establish HEART Wildlife Removal and help it grow. She has worked in various capacities at HEART Wildlife, from providing educational information to helping establish office systems. She is currently focusing on developing a platform to help homeowners and businesses humanely deal with wildlife issues.
Endorsements
