Founder of Wings of Discovery and Botanicals 4 Birds, Stephanie Sayre has over 25 years of professional experience working with and training animals, with a lifelong passion for avian welfare. She got her first bird at 4 years old and hasn't been without one since. A former veterinary technician, she holds degrees in Exotic Animal Training & Management, Wildlife Education, and Zookeeping from Moorpark College’s prestigious EATM program. She has worked hands-on with a wide range of exotic species, from Bengal tigers to macaws and birds of prey.
As a Master Falconer, Stephanie founded Wings of Discovery in 2010, a nonprofit providing sanctuary for non-releasable raptors while using them as ambassadors for wildlife conservation education. Her dedication to bird welfare made her earn her certificate in wildlife rehabilitation in 2014. Just a few years later, she was introduced to essential oils for her own health, but knew she needed to educate herself on what was safe to use around birds. Stephanie found out quickly that this was something that she needed to integrate into her birds' health and enrichment programs. Seeing a gap in credible education on aromatherapy for birds, she committed herself to deep study and certification in animal aromatherapy with a specialty in birds and zoopharmacognosy.
In 2022, Stephanie launched Botanicals 4 Birds, a private learning community offering science-based guidance on using essential oils safely with birds. She is an active member of several professional organizations, including the California Hawking Club, International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators, and the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council. Today, even veterinarians consult with Stephanie for her expertise in natural care for birds and she is currently working towards getting her certification as a professional bird trainer, through the International Association of Trainers Certification Board (IATCB).
Flourishing Feathers is her latest venture, where she incorporates everything together. Offering 1-on-1 style training packages to meet people where they are at and guide bird parents towards reaching a state of better bird behavior with their birds. It is entirely based on training and education to achieve the best possible outcome.