Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan LaPierre.
Hi Ryan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey with wildlife began at a young age. My father played a huge role in shaping my passion—teaching me not just to observe nature, but to truly connect with it. He encouraged me to spend as much time outdoors as possible, building both my knowledge and my confidence with animals, and helping me see the natural world as something to befriend, not just admire from a distance.
After graduating high school, college wasn’t immediately within reach due to financial limitations. Determined to create opportunities for my future, I enlisted in the Army to serve my country and work toward earning a college education. During my time in the military, I built incredible connections that eventually opened doors to opportunities working with National Geographic and the Discovery Channel.
Following my military service, I became a police officer, continuing a path of service to my community. However, my passion for wildlife never faded. With the unwavering support of my husband, Alex, I made the decision to fully refocus my life on working with animals.
Together, we grew Out of the Ark from a passion project into a full-time mission—continually expanding our knowledge, advancing our training, and growing our family of animal ambassadors.
Today, we are proud to be fully licensed at both the state and federal levels, and to serve as the Grand Strand’s only professional, fully licensed wildlife outreach program.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Working with wildlife is never a smooth road. Alex and I truly built Out of the Ark from the ground up. Only adding wildlife to our family that we truly understand, can afford to care for and can provide the best life to. With that, growth can be slow but it’s for the best interest of the animals.
As you know, we’re big fans of Out of the Ark. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Out of the Ark is a professional wildlife outreach and education program dedicated to connecting people with animals in a meaningful, hands-on way. We specialize in interactive experiences that bring audiences face-to-face with a diverse range of animal ambassadors, all while emphasizing respect, conservation, and responsible stewardship of wildlife.
What truly sets us apart is our commitment to both education and ethics. Every program we offer is designed not just to entertain, but to inspire—giving people a deeper understanding of wildlife and the role they play in protecting it. We are fully licensed at both the state and federal levels, and we take immense pride in maintaining the highest standards of animal care, training, and welfare.
Beyond our local impact, we are deeply committed to global conservation efforts. We actively support initiatives that protect wildlife and habitats around the world, and we use our platform to educate others on how even small, everyday actions can contribute to larger conservation goals. Our mission extends far beyond our immediate community—we aim to create a ripple effect of awareness and action that reaches far and wide.
As we continue to grow, one of our biggest goals is to expand into a dedicated facility where the public can visit us year-round. This space will allow us to deepen our outreach, provide even more immersive educational experiences, and create a lasting hub for conservation, learning, and connection with wildlife.
Brand-wise, what we are most proud of is the trust we’ve built—with our community, our clients, and the organizations we work alongside. Out of the Ark isn’t just about animals—it’s about creating unforgettable experiences that spark curiosity, inspire respect, and empower people to become advocates for the natural world.
At the end of the day, we want people to walk away from our programs not just having seen incredible animals, but feeling connected to them—and motivated to help protect them
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
If nothing else, I want your readers to know that no matter what they do for a living they can be a wildlife hero by making small changes to their daily life. From recycling, to cleaning up garbage when out for a walk to organizing a fundraiser to support conservation efforts, small actions add up to huge change when we work together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.outofthearkshows.com
- Instagram: @outofthearkshows
- Facebook: https://Www.facebook.com/outofthearkshows
