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Richard and Joe interviewed Joan Embery. If you are from San Diego, or have ever watched “The Tonight Show,” she needs no introduction. As the good will ambassador to the San Diego Zoological Society for 35+ years, Joan has made hundreds of appearances on television shows such as “The Tonight Show,” “CBS This Morning,” “Mr. Rogers” and her own syndicated series “Animal Express” and “Animals of Africa.” Ms. Embery is a champion of environmental conservation and preservation. She has spent her life working with wildlife organizations and educating the public about wildlife and wildlife issues. In 2004 she created the The Embery Institute for Wildlife Conservation with the goal of connecting people to wildlife and conservation issues. She was inducted into the San Diego County Women’s Hall of Fame in 2007.
Beyond her work in conservation, Ms. Embery is also an accomplished horsewoman, having won trophies in almost every discipline. On her 50-acre ranch in Lakeside she raises and trains Quarter horses as well as miniature horses, Lipizzans, Warmbloods, Mules, Clydesdales, and Percherons.
Ms. Embery studied zoology and telecommunications at San Diego State University before earning a bachelor of arts degree in communication at Eastern Illinois University. She is a Trustee of the Morris Animal Foundation, a professional Fellow of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and a member of the Advisory Board of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine’s Wildlife Health Center; she founded the American Association of Zoo Keepers. She currently lives on the 50-acre Pillsbury Ranch with her husband, Duane Pillsbury, in Lakeside California.
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