Great Educational Experiences, LLC -- GEE Funny Farm
Referral Partners
Referral partners are people we refer you to when we can't do what you'd like us to do, or we aren't available. They are professionals with whom we have worked and shared experiences. We like them and know you will, too!
Animal House Pets & Supplies - https://www.animalhousepets.net/ - in Mukwonago.
More than a pet store, theis store has a wide variety of reptiles and they do reptile shows.
Bear Den Zoo and Petting Farm - https://www.beardenzoo.com/ - in Waterford.
We love the Bear Den. They can handle the big groups that we can't and they have a lot more animals...but we travel! We visit several times during their season!
Captive Bred Specialties - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100044537225246 - in Waukesha.
This is your one-stop reptile shop for captive bred reptiles (no wild caught). Ryan and his staff are knowledgeable and also do reptile shows. Ryan has traveled around the world and offers some of his amazing photographs of animals he has seen in their habitats.
Eclectic Shire Farm - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057346185364 - in Concord.
Scott and Michelle have 4 beautiful horses that pull a variety of carriages and a hearse for parades, weddings, and funerals. I also saw that they showed up for a birthday to surprise the recipient. Check out their Facebook page!
Hoo's Woods Raptor Center - https://hooswoods.org/ - in Milton
We met the director, Diane, at a library activity. She is a licensed educator, falconer, rehabilitator and eagle handler through state and federal agencies. Hoo's Woods is non-profit and rehabilitates 100 raptors annually. They have programs that you don't want to miss!
Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha County, Inc. (HAWS) - https://hawspets.org/ - in Waukesha
We need animals that are 'ready' to go -- meaning that they like to be held, they will fit in with our other animals as necessary, etc. We've found those animals several times at HAWS. We're grateful for no-kill shelters and their programs to educate people about animals.
Ken Lonnquist - https://www.kenlonnquist.com/ - in Madison
Ken Lonnquist is a local singer/songwriter/performer. We were introduced to him at Oconomowoc Festival of the Arts when our children were young. Now our grandchildren listen to and love his music. Ken has been so kind and allows us to use his music for some of our videos. We wish we were inventive enough to use ALL of his songs! We asked him to create a song about that itch that you can't quite get to, and he delivered!! His songs are such fun, often while carrying an important message!
Outlaw Farms, LLC - https://www.facebook.com/OutlawFarmsFallCreek - in Fall Creek (near Eau Claire)
Like us this is a family-owned farm with a wide assortment of animals (even more than we have). They travel (about an hour in any direction) and host a pumpkin farm in the fall. They are working to make their farm more open to the public.
Pine Ridge Riding Center - https://www.pineridgeponies.com - in Slinger
While these ponies don't travel, there is a great set-up for parties and groups. We took our five grandchildren there and had a great, safe time! They also give lessons and have horse day camps for the horse enthusiast!
Schuett Farms - http://www.schuettfarm.com/index.html - in Mukwonago
Our hay burners are grateful to the Schuetts for providing them hay during those long months we don't have pasture. We also enjoy the Fall Festival when we can pick our own pumpkins and get lost in their fabulous corn maze! They will supply you with a beautiful tree for Christmas, and they sell their beef! Their "beef is fed only the best grains, hay, and pasture" so it "remains naturally healthy so [they] do not use antibiotics or growth promotants".
Wildlife in Need Center - http://www.helpingwildlife.org/ - in Oconomowoc
We haven't had dealings with Wildlife in Need Center since they have had a new director, but in the past we have taken wildlife that we've found hurt to them. Kathy volunteered for a short time, but she has a hard time NOT habituating animals, so she quit. Phoebe, our raccoon, came from them when it was decided she could NOT live in the wild...they contacted us! They, like many places, went through a difficult time during the pandemic. We hope they are up and going again now!
Wisconsin Pony Rides - formerly known as M&M Pony Rides - https://www.wisconsinponyrides.com/home - in Muskego
We've worked a couple of bookings with Michelle and children look happy on the ponies and sad about leaving them! You might have seen Michelle and her ponies at big events like the State Fair.
WPS Reptiles - https://www.wpsreptiles.com/ - in Kenosha.
With his wife Sarah's help, Bill Stewart owns this reptile education business. With a small assortment of reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates, Bill travels across southeast WI educating and entertaining children of all ages, as well as adults, with meaningful hands-on interactions that build confidence and curiosity in others and help to promote the message that reptiles and amphibians are incredible examples of resilience, adaptation, and evolution, and are integral within the ecosystems that they live in. GEE Funny Farm has worked with Bill and he and his animals are amazing!!
Zoozort Live Animal Programs - http://zoozort.com/ - Lyndon Station
We've followed Zoozort beginning in 2020 when Noelle started doing virtual programs from her farm (she has really cool enclosures!). Recently we stopped by one of her mini zoo setups in Mukwonago. We've also shared an event with her. She will travel up to three hours (unlike us -- 60 minutes is our limit) and has a bigger variety of wildlife ambassadors than we do (Kathy is sooo jealous).
Noelle says, "We truly believe it is important not only to inform and educate people about animals and the world around us, but it also helps teach empathy and respect. We feel that if one can learn to love, care and respect animals, it is the first step in learning to love, care and respect the people with whom we share our earth."
Logos for thirteen out of fourteen of our referral partners.