About Dino Buddies
"Inspiring curiosity through unforgettable wildlife experiences."
CEO and Founder
Tiffany Johnson
Dino Buddies is an award-winning wildlife outreach company based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Since 2020, we've been bringing unforgettable educational experiences to schools, libraries, birthday parties, camps, museums, festivals, and community events throughout Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana.
We believe the best way to inspire a love of science is to experience it firsthand. Whether that means meeting a snake, examining a fossil, or coming face-to-face with a dinosaur, our goal is always the same—to spark curiosity and create memories that last long after the program ends.
What Makes Dino Buddies Different?
At Dino Buddies, we believe an unforgettable program starts long before we arrive at your event. Here's what sets us apart:
🧬 Science Comes First
Our programs are developed by educators with backgrounds in zoology, wildlife education, and animal care, ensuring every encounter is accurate, engaging, and age-appropriate.
🌿 Active in Conservation
We're proud to partner with conservation organizations and participate in professional training, field research, and wildlife projects that help us bring real-world science into every program.
❤️ Animal Welfare is Our Priority
The health and well-being of our ambassador animals always comes first. We continually study natural history and animal behavior to create enrichment, training, and educational experiences that benefit both our animals and our guests.
🎓 Educators at Heart
We don't just introduce animals—we create experiences that encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
🦖 One-of-a-Kind Dinosaur Experiences
From our lifelike dinosaur puppets to our interactive paleontology displays featuring fossils, replicas, casts, and skulls, our dinosaur programs are designed exclusively by the Dino Buddies team.
🏆 Trusted Throughout the Tri-State
Each year, we present hundreds of educational programs for schools, libraries, birthday parties, museums, camps, festivals, and community events across Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana.
🌎 Learning for Everyone
We strive to create welcoming, inclusive experiences where every guest feels comfortable asking questions, making discoveries, and participating at their own level.
📚 Always Learning
Our education doesn't stop when the program ends. We regularly participate in workshops, professional development, conservation training, and field experiences so we can continue bringing the very best to our audiences.
💡 Did You Know?
Dino Buddies is proudly women-owned and led by an all-women leadership team whose passion for education, conservation, and animal welfare shapes every program we offer.
In fields like wildlife education and animal science, leadership doesn’t always reflect the diversity of those passionate about the work. That’s why founder Tiffany Johnson, a zoologist with over 15 years of experience, started Dino Buddies—to create a space where science, representation, and education come together in meaningful ways.
Our mission is simple: to make learning wild, inclusive, and unforgettable. From classrooms to community events, we’re proud to inspire curiosity and confidence through hands-on encounters—led by a team of women who care deeply about animals, conservation, and the people we serve.
🐍💪🦖 Black-owned. Women-led. Science-fueled. Always wild.
Keep Scrolling to Meet the Team!
🐍 Meet the Heart Behind the Roar
Tiffany Johnson, CEO and Founder
Meet Our Founder
Hi there! My name is Tiffany Johnson, and I'm the CEO and Founder of Dino Buddies.
My story didn't start in 2020 when I launched Dino Buddies. It started much earlier—as an eight-year-old in the third grade who spent recess helping my science teacher clean the classroom animal enclosures instead of playing outside.
That was the moment I realized I had a deep love—and what would become a lifelong curiosity—for the animal world.
From there, my passion only grew. I spent ten years riding horses, volunteered at a local educational farm, became the Livestock Coordinator at Gorman Heritage Farm, and eventually earned a degree in Zoology from the University of Cincinnati. While in college, I had the opportunity to work in several animal departments at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, including the Reptile House, where I gained hands-on experience caring for and educating the public about a wide variety of species.
In 2020, while still finishing my degree, I decided to take a chance and start Dino Buddies.
I wasn't trying to build the biggest wildlife outreach company. I simply wanted to create the kind of experience I would have loved as a kid—one where people could get up close with amazing animals, ask questions, and discover just how incredible the natural world really is.
Over the years, Dino Buddies has grown far beyond what I ever imagined. We've traveled throughout Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, presented hundreds of educational programs each year, and been honored with several awards along the way. In 2025, we expanded our programs to include lifelike dinosaurs, creating another exciting way to inspire curiosity about science, paleontology, and wildlife.
But even as we've grown, the reason we do this hasn't changed.
I started Dino Buddies for the kids who are just like I was—the ones who are fascinated by snakes, dinosaurs, turtles, bugs, and everything in between. The kids who ask a hundred questions, want to know how everything works, and maybe don't always fit in because they're a little obsessed with animals.
If one of our programs inspires a child to pick up a field guide, visit a nature center, pursue a career in science, or simply look at wildlife with a little more appreciation, then we've done exactly what we set out to do.
After all, that's how my own journey began—with one curious kid, a science teacher, and a few classroom animals.
Tiffany FAQ’s
Q: Why reptiles?
A: I could give you a long scientific answer but the truth is, I just think they’re really super duper cool!
Q: How did you get started in this?
A:I’ve always loved animals. In third grade, my teacher, Mrs. Quill, had animals in her classroom, and I would skip recess to help care for them. Not long after, my dad let me start riding horses, and that passion carried into college, where I studied horses. While in school, a friend of mine who owned a snake named Morris (now 26 years old!) asked if I wanted him. I said yes—and the rest is history.
Q: Have you ever worked with dangerous animals?
A: Absolutely! I've had the privilege of working with alligators, venomous snakes, crocodiles, Komodo dragons, and large pythons. Surprisingly, though, the most dangerous animals I’ve ever worked with are horses and cows.
Q: What’s one animal I hope to work with in the future?
A: My favorite animal and the largest reptile in the world…the saltwater crocodile!
Q: What’s one thing I want people to get out of a Dino Buddies encounter?
A: My goal is for our guests to leave feeling like they’ve learned something new. I want kids to walk away feeling empowered, knowing the world is theirs to explore if they’re willing to be creative and work hard. Most importantly, I want everyone to see how incredible these animals are and to understand that they deserve love, respect, and kindness—no matter how intimidating they might seem.
🦎 Meet Kassandra Whittington
Director of Education & Research
Kassandra Whittington brings science and adventure together at Dino Buddies! She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Northern Kentucky University and plays a key role in developing engaging, hands-on programs for learners of all ages.
Kassandra leads herpetological surveys at Gorman Heritage Farm, where she monitors ponds, flips tin, and searches for Ohio’s native reptiles and amphibians. She also serves as an Animal Ambassador Keeper at the Cincinnati Zoo, expanding her passion for wildlife education even further.
Whether she's designing a new program, finding a salamander in the field, or teaching kids why reptiles deserve our protection, Kassandra’s mission is clear: spark curiosity, share knowledge, and inspire a love for the wild.
🐍 Fun Facts About Kassandra:
🐟 What animal would you love to work with one day?
"I would love to work with a shark species someday! They were a huge focus for me in college, and I never ended up working with them."
🦎 If you could have any animal superpower, what would it be?
"I would love the ability to camouflage at any given moment!"
🍬 Favorite snack to sneak in the van between programs?
"Snow Caps!"
🎶 What’s your go-to hype song before an event?
"On Top of the World" by Imagine Dragons
🌎 What do you hope kids take away from our programs?
"I hope kids learn that reptiles are vital to our ecosystems—and that they deserve our protection at all costs!"
🐢 Meet Stephanie Heidorn
Director of Animal Excellence
Stephanie Heidorn brings heart, science, and a passion for animal welfare to everything she does at Dino Buddies. As our Director of Animal Excellence, she ensures all of our animal ambassadors live the healthiest, happiest lives possible.
Stephanie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Zoology from The Ohio State University and her Master’s degree in Biology from Miami University. With a career spanning research labs, educational programs, and even a stint as a dog-walker, she’s spent her life working alongside animals in every capacity imaginable.
At Dino Buddies, Stephanie’s mission is simple but powerful: care deeply, teach boldly, and help every guest feel connected to the natural world.
🦎 Fun Facts About Stephanie:
🦎 If you were a reptile, what would you be?
"I’d be a marine iguana. I love swimming, but I also love sitting in the sun to warm back up!"
🌟 Favorite Dino Buddies moment?
"Watching someone overcome a life-long fear through learning about our animals. It's incredible to see."
🐙 Dream animal to work with one day?
"I would love to work with an octopus. Incredible intelligence comes in all forms!"
🐍 Favorite Dino Buddies animal?
"Our California Kingsnake, Dino! He's still got some of his fiery baby snake energy, but he’s taught me so much about behavior and handling."
🦅 If you could have any animal superpower, what would it be?
"The speed of a peregrine falcon—flight is already amazing, but going fast with the wind in my face would be the best!"
💚 What do you hope kids take away from our programs?
"I hope kids leave feeling empowered. Touching an animal you never thought you would is a powerful experience. It builds confidence and teaches empathy—showing them they have the ability to protect and care for other living beings."
