A word from our Chief Parrot Patrons, Marcela Bahar and Mac Voisin

About Us

Our Vision

To become Canada’s premiere parrot rehabilitation, training, and adoption centre – educating the public on their nature and needs with a goal to increasing respectful and humane interactions with all animals and the earth.

Our Goal

To improve the quality of life of animals by educating the next generation of owners.

Our Values

Education

We help misunderstood parrots communicate and we help owners listen.
We are committed to the nurture, safety and integrity of all birds and the education of all owners on these principles.
We have the education, experience and understanding needed to fulfill the needs and wants of our birds and those belonging to any owner seeking our help.

Empathy

We provide a compassionate, highly enriched, safe and welcoming place for relinquished parrots to land. Many of our limited spaces are dedicated to seniors, terminally ill owners and emergency cases.
We provide our parrots with choice, respect their decisions and defend their need to exercise safe control over their environment and their experience.
We rebrand the image of older, adoptable parrots away from “broken, damaged, unmanageable and undesirable” to stable companions who come with some very desirable behaviours and professional support.

Environment

We care about social justice, the ethical treatment of animals and the conservation of natural habitats, and we support organizations who feel the same.
We house parrots in as natural a setting as possible while encouraging their expression, and when prudent the humane shaping, of their instinctual behaviours.
We have a passion for creating a world where parrots are no longer misunderstood, mishandled or abandoned for expressing natural, instinctual behaviours.

Our Team

Judy Tennant BA, B.Ed, M.Ed

Executive Director, Founder

Thirty years experience in the fields of business, education and human/animal behaviour. Member in good standing with The International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators (IAATE). Shelter Affiliate with the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants (IAABC). Judy is responsible for implementing the strategic plan and overseeing the administration of Parrot Partners. She reports to and works closely with the Board of Directors.

Board of Directors

Composed of leaders from the business, academic and conservation communities, the board of directors exercises overall responsibility for the policies, programs and direction of Parrot Partners Canada and provides advice and counsel on a broad range of policy and operational matters. The composition of the board is chosen to reflect a diverse range of expertise, with all members having a strong and demonstrated commitment to the humane treatment of animals and conservation. Board members observe and annually sign Parrot Partners Canada’s conflict of interest policy.

Al Orth

Human Resource Director

Associate Vice-Principal Human Resources, Queen’s University (Retired February 2016.) He has served on the Board of Directors of five mid and large size charities. Former part-time MBA faculty member of the School of Business and Economics, Wilfrid Laurier University. Al provides Parrot Partners with advice and guidance on organizational effectiveness and human resources matters.

Carmen Baru, LL.B

Legal Director

An attorney with extensive experience in contract law and litigation, Carmen holds the position of Legal Advisor on Parrot Partners Board of Directors. Carmen is responsible for advising and guiding us in all legal issues but most notably wills, bequeathments, legacy gifts, as well as contract law as it pertains to animals. Carmen also holds a Ph.D. in comparative literature and as a parrot lover and owner she offers support and guidance in our education efforts.

Darin Cowan, BSc

IT Director

Darin has thirty years experience as IT security professional, consulting to government, financial, and health care industries, and serving in management positions as both a military officer and in private industry. His extensive knowledge of IT and technology will help in establishing Parrot Partners on-line training. Darin has a BSc in Physics and Computer Science from Royal Roads Military College. Darin also studies cephalopod biology (squid / octopus / cuttlefish / nautilus) as a hobby.

Scot Pepper, CPA CA

Treasurer

Scot provides Parrot Partners with advice and guidance in all areas of our finances, charitable mandates, and business strategies.

Lynn Orth

Secretary

VP of Promotion for Ontario Lacrosse League. Head Coach of the OUA Varsity Women’s Lacrosse team. Named WLU and OUA Coach of the Year. Inducted into the Region of Waterloo Hall of Fame in 2015. Lynn is the secretary of Parrot Partners and lends her expertise in not-for-profit structures and operation.

Mac Voisin, B.Eng

Business Strategist / Patron

Co-founder of M&M Meat Shops. Parrot Partners Business Advisor and Chief Parrot Patron.

Marcela Bahar

Patron

Award-winning clay and glass artist. Courturie Apprenticed under a national artist. Marcela guides Parrot Partners in all areas of branding, design, merchandising and sales.

Rachel Thibeault, Ph.D

Therapeutic Programs Director

Rachel brings to Parrot Partners an expertise around therapeutic programs, grounded in practice of positive intentional activites. For her work from over the 35 years, she was granted the title of Officer of the Order of Canada.

Support and Dedicated Staff

Robin Eastland

Executive Assistant

BScH in Animal Biology from the University of Guelph. Over five years experience in the veterinary field, as well as providing care for exotics and pets in emergency and preventative medical settings. Robin supports the Executive Director and the charity as a whole.

Rebecca Melanson, RVT

Training & Enrichment Coordinator

Rebecca has been working with animals since 2007 when she got her first job at a pet shop. Her love for animals would eventually lead her to complete the veterinary nursing program at Oulton College in New Brunswick. By 2013 she became a Registered Veterinary Technician and has been working in veterinary medicine throughout the Maritimes and now Ottawa. Rebecca joined the Parrot Partners team in November 2018 as a weekly volunteer to gain more experience working with a variety of birds, while exploring courses on animal behavior and training. In September 2019 she became Fear Free Certified as a veterinary professional and implemented progressive fear free experiences for her patients. Now graduated from Karen Pryor Academy, she is ready to further help people fulfill their pets needs through training and enrichment in the comfort of their own homes. Her current flock consists of a red foot tortoise named Meatball, an African Grey named Hodari, a Cockatiel named Artemis and a Pionus Parrot named Chino.

Connie Morden

Bookkeeper

Connie is responsible for maintaining the financial transactions and books for PPC. She also maintains books for her own business and has other bookkeeping clients.

James Deziel

Aviary Assistant

James is a critical member of our team, providing care for the parrots and the aviary.

Kelly Reid

Volunteer Coordinator and Parrot Boarding Coordinator

Kelly is wildlife rehabilitation certified and has worked with birds for over 20 years! Kelly is a critical member of the Parrot Partners Team and helps oversee the hiring, training, and scheduling of volunteers. Kelly also helps manage our parrot boarding program.

Gunner

Aviary Assistant

Gunner is a critical member of our team. providing care for the parrots and the aviary.