Oh Behave!

Amy Hurst has long been fascinated by animal behavior and has dedicated much of her adult life to deepening her understanding through extensive hands‑on experience. Her intuitive ability to “crack the code” of complex physical and behavioral challenges has led to her being entrusted with some of the most difficult rehabilitation cases—ranging from emotionally traumatized fight dogs to a PTSD‑affected military working dog returning from Afghanistan.

This work became deeply personal when Amy adopted Pogo, a Quaker Parrot born without feet or elbow joints. Caring for Pogo further strengthened her commitment to advocacy, adaptive care, and the belief that every animal deserves thoughtful, informed support.

In the fall of 2023, Amy faced an unexpected challenge of her own with a breast cancer diagnosis. During treatment, she experienced firsthand the profound healing power of the human–animal bond. As roles reversed, the animals became her therapy. While undergoing chemotherapy, Amy hand‑raised baby birds and rehomed them into carefully matched, loving environments—an experience that further solidified her belief in purposeful connection, resilience, and service.

Known to many as “Mamma Bird,” Amy is deeply passionate about ornithology, responsible bird ownership, avian enrichment, and matching the right bird to the right home. Her extensive background in animal behavior, combined with her personal journey of healing through animals, inspired her to expand her education and credentials. She is a Certified Animal‑Assisted Intervention Specialist (C‑AAIS) and a Certified Animal‑Assisted Therapist (C‑AAT).

Today, Amy and her therapy bird, Boo, form a well‑respected Animal‑Assisted Intervention team, providing occupational, physical, behavioral, and emotional support to individuals in need. Together, they demonstrate the powerful, reciprocal benefits of intentional human–avian interaction.

Amy is also an experienced keynote speaker who has reached hundreds through lectures focused on resilience, advocacy, and discovering “purpose in pain.” Beyond her professional work, she is happily married to her husband, Doug, and together they share a lively home with birds, dogs, cats and four children.

Amy previously served as CEO of Nawty Dawg Big Heart Charities, where she helped facilitate the raising of thousands of dollars in support of animals and humans in need. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Purdue University and completed her certification in Animal‑Assisted Therapy through the College of Science & Humanities at Husson University. She is certified as an Animal‑Assisted Intervention Specialist through the Association of Animal‑Assisted Intervention Professionals (AAAIP).

Amy and her 40‑year‑old cockatoo, Boo, are a registered “complex” therapy team through Pet Partners. She is an active member of the American Federation of Aviculture, serves as secretary and board member of the Pet Bird Association of Virginia, and is treasurer and board member of the Peninsula Caged Bird Society in Hampton Roads, Virginia.

Traci Pryor joined Pet Partners in 2014 and serves as the Chief Development Officer. In this role, she works closely with many of Pet Partners’ collaborative partners including generous national corporate and strategic partners. Traci is also responsible for creating many national signature events and initiatives for Pet Partners including the Animal-Assisted Workplace Well-being program, the World’s Largest Pet Walk and National Therapy Animal Day.

Traci worked with Aetna to pilot their workplace therapy animal program that went on to become a national initiative across the United States. Thousands of participating employees reported reduced stress, better mood, and increased productivity because of spending time with Pet Partners therapy animal teams who visited their workplace. Pet Partners went on to work with other innovative companies such as Intel, Farmers Insurance, the National Basketball Association, Google, and Microsoft to bring therapy animals into their offices and industry events.

She has spoken at conferences such as Best Pet Workplaces and Wellness 4 All presented by Nationwide and WUF World, and on national radio broadcasts such as Steve Dale’s Pet World and Voice America’s Cat Talk Radio. In 2021 Traci was named a PetAge Magazine Woman of Influence.

Before joining Pet Partners, Traci served in various non-profit executive roles at organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Special Olympics International, and the Arthritis Foundation. She holds a degree from James Madison University and a certificate in non-profit management from Virginia Commonwealth University. Traci lives in Richmond, Va., with her husband, two sons and their beloved basset hound Frisco.

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