Aark is a non-profit wildlife rehabilitation and education center whose mission is to rehabilitate and release orphaned and injured native wildlife and promote harmony between humans and their wild neighbors through quality environmental education.
OUR MISSION
Meet the Team
Leah Stallings
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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Leah Stallings is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. She has been a lifelong practitioner of wildlife rehabilitation and assumed the role of Executive Director in 2008. The Aark was founded in 1979 by her mother, Mary Jane Stretch. Leah has extensive experience in both allopathic treatment of wildlife and holistic practices including homeopathy and chiropractic techniques. Combining these with good veterinary care and husbandry, Leah and the staff at Aark use a “whole animal” approach to rehabilitation. Leah is a frequent speaker at local conferences. She is a founding board member of Wildlife in Need Emergency Response of Pennsylvania and is a member of the Pennsylvania Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, an advisory committee to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Susan Downes
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
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Susan’s love of animals began at a young age. Once she learned about Aark in 2010, she began volunteering and quickly advanced to become a Clinic Supervisor. In 2015 she joined the Aark Board of Directors and in 2021 became Vice President. She is currently the Director of Operations. Susan received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management with a minor in Computer Science in 1984. She worked in the property and casualty insurance industry for 25 years and helped to develop a computer system while being a test site at an agency. Susan used her computer expertise to write a new computerized intake program which allows Aark to easily access animal information and generate reports for state and federal authorities. She is studying to get her Pennsylvania Wildlife Rehabilitation License.
Amanda Leyden
CLINIC DIRECTOR
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Amanda is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Her journey at Aark Wildlife started in 2013 as a college intern and, after years of volunteering at the center as a volunteer Clinic Supervisor, she became the Clinic Director in December of 2019. Amanda graduated from Ursinus College with a Bachelor of Science in Biology on the Pre-Veterinary track and recently completed her Master of Science degree in Environmental Law and Policy from Delaware Valley University. She also has a background in both exotic veterinary medicine and environmental education.
Abigail Yarrison
MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
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Abigail graduated from Immaculata University in 2023 with a degree in Digital Communications, concentrating in Graphic Design. With a life-long love of nature and a background in environmental education, she endevoured to find a position in the conservation industry. She became the Marketing & Social Media Manager in November 2025, and has since grown Aark’s social media presence and assists with fundraising campaigns.
Nick Brewster
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
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Nick began as a volunteer at Aark in 2018 and took over as Director of Education in December 2020. He has a Bachelor’s of Science in Conservation and Wildlife Management from Delaware Valley University and several years of experience in the wildlife education field with a special interest in wildlife conservation, husbandry and habitat design for captive wildlife, animal behavior, and positive reinforcement training and enrichment.
OUR FOUNDER
Mary Jane Stretch
1939 - 2020
The founder of Aark, Mary Jane Stretch, was one of the nation’s leading authorities on wildlife rehabilitation. Mary Jane had over 50 years of practical experience and was critical in establishing many of the wildlife laws in existance today. She was a frequent speaker before national, state and local groups. Mary Jane appeared in national television programs such as “The Today Show” and her life’s dedication has been chronicled in the books “The Swan in My Bathtub,” and “For the Love of Wild Things.” She was a friend to all creatures who needed her loving care and her passion and spirit live on in this amazing place we call Aark. We miss her dearly.