TV zoologist hosts pet fashion show

By Louise Continelli
NEWS STAFF REPORTER
March 14, 2010

You may have seen him on TV with David Letterman, Jay Leno or Regis Philbin.

On Saturday, famed TV zoologist Jarod Miller, a 1996 graduate of Eden High School, held court in Buffalo Niagara Convention Center at the Buffalo Home & Garden Show’s first-ever pet fashion show.

Miller — former star of Animal Planet’s “Pet Finder”—was the celebrity draw to this unique event, which featured an interesting array of cleverly coiffed and costumed pets that made the crowd howl.

In first place was a black pug named Abby, outfitted as a spider dog of sorts, who won her owner, Christina Kubisty of Buffalo, a pair of tickets to the 2011 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden next February.

But there were other stars. Affable Devon, a Scottish terrier owned by Tammy Ahrens, set a St. Patrick’s Day mood with his Kelly-green sunglasses and matching accessories. Devon was a favorite of the kids in the audience.

Miller, who has consorted with sharks and was even charged by a cheetah in Africa — did not shy away from the pets’ cuteness.

At age 25, he became the youngest accredited zoo director in the United States and served as executive director of the Binghamton Zoo. He holds a zoology degree from Oswego State College.

Now 31, Miller trumpets quite a resume and has his own nationally syndicated TV series, “Animal Exploration with Jarod Miller.” The show airs locally at 7 a. m. Saturdays on Fox.

Asked how he wrangled the coolest job in the world, Miller conceded he is “lucky.”

“I started out learning everything I could about animals, worked hard in school, and took every opportunity to travel and be around wildlife,” he recalled.

“The key to achieving any goal, and realizing your dreams, is to stay focused, be willing to break a sweat, and surround yourself with good friends and mentors.”

For a second-grade assignment, he said, he was asked to write down his favorite animal and produced a three-page list of almost 200 species. “I began reading prettyyoung— all about science,” Miller added.

His childhood hero was the late Marlin Perkins, the snowy-haired TV zoologist famed for Mutual of Omaha’s “Wild Kingdom.”

Miller, who launched Wild Encounters, his own wildlife production and education company, in 1996, has journeyed to more than 13 countries, with a focus on South and Central America and equatorial Africa. Wild Encounters gives kids across the nation an opportunity to learn about our planet’s animal habitats.

Today is the final day for the Home & Garden Show, which is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

http://www.buffalonews.com/2010/03/14/987279/tv-zoologist-hosts-pet-fashion.html