STAFF BIO INFORMATION
Dean Harper:
When I was asked to do my biography for the website, I had to sit back and think hard about it, where do I start, do I talk about many of the cool things I have been able to do because of this business like working on many Movie and TV productions and meeting actors such as Jackie Chan and Tony Danza or talk about how I started Wrappin About Reptiles and why it was so important for me to spread a positive message on these very misunderstood and very unique creatures.
Or how growing up my mom never knew what to expect, no one really knew what I was going to bring home, the list included a young Swanson's Hawk, Coyote pups, salamanders, Garter snakes even a White-tail Deer once. I have always had a great respect and love for reptiles as long as I can remember. But my mom said that there would be no snakes in the house ever, so I brought a Tarantula home instead (really sorry mom).
When I was twelve I started working at
the local pet shop and quickly became the
"reptile expert" I just couldn't
find enough information on them but everything
I could get I read over and over. As the
years went by my need to own a snake was
overpowering and when I left home at age
seventeen I got my first snake a male Boa
Constrictor I called Goliath and the obsession
began, Goliath passed away in 2000 and will
be greatly missed.
I did leave the pet industry for a few years
but still had some of my babies, when I got
back involved it was with a new twist this
time, instead of retail I decided to start
educating and entertaining, so I started
my own company and here we are today.
I have added a new chapter to this exciting journey I was married to Maureen Burke in July 2000 and in April 2001 our twin girls were born. I can only hope that they will have the same love and respect for not only reptiles but all wildlife like there dear old dad. Let's face it with as many reptiles as I have how could they not (chuckle chuckle :)
In January 2004 our son J.D. was born he has been a handful I tell ya. But I wouldn't have it any other way. He is in the no fear of anything phase of his life and that makes the reptiles scared of HIM (haha).
James Barbas:
I have been hooked on reptiles from the age of nine when I found a ribbon snake in the badlands of Drumheller, Alberta. By my 16th birthday I had kept everything from an orphaned baby crow that my brother and I taught to fly, guinea pigs, fresh & saltwater fish to sugar gliders.
I started working at my local pet store and bought my first leopard gecko "Sam" who I still have to this day. I worked my way up to manager of the small store and left for college a year later to pursue my Bachelor of Arts degree.
During my time at the pet store Dean had always answered my calls when I needed advise or information on anything reptilian, I had helped him at a couple school shows and we had done several TV appearances during my school breaks. I, then returned to Olds and I permanently joined Wrappin About Reptiles and have enjoyed every moment of it.
The
most rewarding moment I can think of was
when we were displayed at an evening corporate
event, a mother and her daughter came up
to me, the mother sent her daughter to go
look at the reptiles which she was more than eager to do. The girls mother explained that
she was terrified of reptiles but did not
want her daughter to grow up with that phobia.
That is what makes this job so cool along
with all the exciting people and critters
we get to work with for schools, events and
MOVIES/TV work.
Maureen Harper:
I have always been intrigued by reptiles but didn't have any contact with them until my sister started working in a pet store. The owner kept his 2 corn snakes in the store and I could go in and play with them. This is when I discovered what a great pet they can be.
After I left the store I didn't have any contact with reptiles until I started working in a pet store a couple years later and that is when I met Dean. Dean was consulting for the store and we began talking and one day he invited me to see some of his collection. I fell in love with the reptiles immediately, he let me hold his, at the time his 11 foot Burmese python and I was hooked.
I have helped Dean and James with a number of shows and most people are amazed by a woman holding the snakes, especially the larger ones. I've had a lot of people approach me while I'm holding a reptile because if I can hold them it must be safe. I'm not sure if I fell in love with the reptiles or Dean first but it wasn't long and I knew I wanted to be with all of them for a long time. Dean and I were married in July 2000 and have 2 beautiful twin daughters Bailey and Dakota.
Bailey
Harper:
I surprised mommy and
daddy by arriving 8 weeks earlier then they had planned, on April 18th
2001. I was just too excited to meet them. It was 3-4 weeks after my surprise
arrival before I got to come home and what a home it was. I was a couple months
old before I got to meet any of the reptiles that daddy had. They looked really
neat but I was not to interested in them. I was 19 months old before I got to
touch any of them.
Now I think all reptiles are awesome. Some of my favorites are “Momo” Mortimer an African Spur-thigh tortoise and “Jojo” Joanna a Mangrove monitor. I’m willing to play with almost anything daddy says is safe too. I don’t love just reptiles but all animals, cats “but not daddy’s his is mean to me”, dogs, birds, fish and some other exotics that daddy works with like Tigers, monkeys, lions. My newest favorite’s are the Veiled Chameleon’s that daddy got, they walk on me and its pretty cool.
My sister, Bailey decided to surprise mommy and daddy 8 weeks early on
April 18, 2001 , so I thought I might as well follow 6 minutes later. It was 6
weeks before I got to come home, I was a little sicker then my sister. I was
about 4 months old before I got to see some of the reptiles daddy had. I was 8
months old when dad adopted “Alex” the Blue and Gold Macaw, he is my
favorite pet. He was the only pet I was allowed to touch until I was 19 months
old.
Now I can pet almost anything I want but I am not as trusting as my
sister is. I won’t pet just anything I am a little pickier. I do like watching
many of daddies pets and love Momo, and Jojo just as much as my sister and of
course the snakes, did you know that they say SSSSSSS.
In the fall of 2002 my daddy introduced me to Leona a baby African lioness she was cool and I bet if I took her home she would get that darn cat of dads that likes to chase me.
J.D. Harper
Hi I don't have a lot to say in my bio as was only born on January 5th 2004 at 9 lbs 15 ounces. I think I will like all the reptiles and other exotic animals mom and dad have but it will be a long while before I can to see any of them up close. So for now I get to watch them from afar. My sisters are spoiling me rotten already so I'll take it all now before I get to old and they start to hide from me. Well that's it for me until I get a few more months older, it was nice to meet you and come back any time to visit and see what's new.
Well I have had time , and yes I think the reptiles are pretty neat. Dad still won't let me play with them but I get to watch them and Dad work with them. Dad says that I am almost big enough to hold one and I can't wait!!!.
Guess what Dad is letting me hold the reptiles now. I even have one of my own His name is Timmy. He is a tortoise so it ok to play with him because he doe not live in water so I won't get salmonella as long as I wash my hands.
Alisha Lindstrom:
Alisha has helped us for a few years now . She is Dean's cousin and has always thought the reptiles were pretty ok. Alisha is in college studying to become a teacher. We think she will be a great one and with her experience with us should be able to handle any situation with ease. We bet she will have a class pet like a frog or snake and if not we will be stopping by from time to time with a special guest.
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