BeginningWhere It BeganInspirationFinding My VoiceNext Chapter
A story rooted in a love of animals

My Story

Long before there was a program, a microphone or a television idea, there was simply a little girl fascinated by animals—and a family that helped that fascination grow.

From a Brooklyn pigeon coop generations ago to classroom presentations, interviews, journalism and advocacy, this is how Victoria's Amazing World began.

Baby Victoria with her grandfather and a chicken
Victoria's grandfather and great-grandfather at their Brooklyn pigeon and chicken coop in the 1940s
Brooklyn, 1940s — Victoria's grandfather and great-grandfather with the family's early pigeon and chicken coop.
Where the love began

A fascination passed from one generation to the next.

When I was a baby, my grandfather, Michael Bonavita, introduced me to pigeons and chickens, and from an early age I was fascinated by them. As I grew older, that fascination turned into curiosity. I learned that pigeons could find their way home from hundreds of miles away and thought it was remarkable that chickens could lay eggs in so many different colors.

After I lost my grandfather, my father continued to encourage the love of animals that he had helped inspire in me. He built me my own chicken coop and began taking me to poultry shows. There, I discovered an incredible variety of breeds—Silkies, Polish chickens and so many others. Some were tiny, some were enormous, and all of them were unique in their own way.

Where Victoria's Amazing World began

One classroom idea became something much bigger.

At age 10, a simple request to share her birds with classmates became the first step toward an educational program, a platform and a lifelong mission.

Young Victoria holding a pigeon
Victoria with Skylar, her homing pigeon, who helped spark her early fascination with animal behavior.
Age 10 · Fifth Grade

A simple question to my teacher.

When I was 10 years old and in fifth grade, I asked my teacher if I could bring some of my birds to school and share them with my classmates. She loved the idea but first had to get permission from the principal.

While I waited for an answer, I started a petition that was signed by my classmates. At the same time, I decided I wanted to create something more than just a classroom visit. I began putting together an educational program I called Victoria's Amazing Pets.

A page from the beginning

The petition that helped tell the story.

Written while Victoria waited for the principal's decision, the petition captured the enthusiasm of her classmates and their belief that meeting the birds would be a real learning experience.

“We think this would be a learning experience for all of 5C.”
Classroom petition signed by Victoria and her classmates asking permission for her to bring her Silky chickens to school
Students watching Victoria’s interview with Dr. Jane Goodall during a school assembly
Students watching Victoria’s interview with Dr. Jane Goodall during a school assembly.
Victoria's Amazing Pets

More than a classroom visit.

At the heart of my presentation was a video I created called Victoria's Amazing Pets. I even interviewed a local chicken expert so that my first video could include information from someone with firsthand knowledge and experience.

Ultimately, the principal said yes. I was able to bring my birds to school, give my presentation and then let the students meet some of the animals they had just learned about. That day became the beginning of something much bigger than I ever imagined.

Victoria's Amazing Pets was born—and from there, Victoria's Amazing World began to grow.

Learning in a different way

Animals became a bridge to other subjects.

For my next classroom program, I teamed up with a high school summer-school teacher to explore a different way of teaching. We combined Victoria's Amazing Pets with math lessons, creating an interdisciplinary program that allowed students to learn traditional subjects through their interest in animals.

It was an incredible experience for me, but what I remember most was seeing how much the students enjoyed learning in a different way.

Victoria's Amazing Pets interdisciplinary math worksheet
Victoria’s Amazing Pets test used to connect animals with math and real-world learning.
Students participating in Victoria’s interdisciplinary learning classroom program
People who inspired me

Meeting the people I had grown up learning from.

Victoria with Jack Hanna

Jack Hanna

I grew up watching Jack Hanna on television and learned so much about animals from him. Having the opportunity to meet and interview someone who had inspired me was a tremendous honor.

I asked Jack what the most interesting thing was that he learned from animals and he said, “Respect.” Respect the animals and their habitat.
Victoria interviewing Dr. Jane Goodall

Dr. Jane Goodall

Meeting Dr. Jane Goodall was one of those rare moments that truly stays with you. She was incredibly kind and generous with her time, and the experience strengthened my belief that education and compassion can change how people see the natural world.

Dr. Jane said to me something that will always inspire me: “Victoria, together we can change the world.”
A life-changing encounter with one of the world's most respected voices for animals and conservation.
Victoria as an animal educator and journalist with Long Island Pet Lover Magazine
100,000+combined circulation of the publications that gave Victoria an early platform to reach readers.
Finding my voice

From student educator to young journalist and advocate.

By the age of 12, my work expanded beyond presentations and interviews when I became a journalist for Long Island Pet Lover Magazine and ET Week. Together, the publications had a circulation of more than 100,000 readers.

For a 12-year-old who simply wanted to share her love and knowledge of animals, it was an incredible opportunity. More importantly, it gave me another way to educate people, tell stories and advocate for animals.

Over the years, I have also been fortunate to develop wonderful relationships with elected officials and community leaders who believed in what I was doing and gave me opportunities to speak on behalf of animals. I have been grateful to receive many awards and recognitions, but one of my greatest honors was being officially recognized by the State of New York as an Ambassador for Pets and Wildlife.

Today

The passion became a profession.

Today, Victoria’s connection with animals is as strong as ever. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Medicine and continues to work hands-on with animals, bringing the same compassion and deep love for animals that began Victoria’s Amazing World into her professional life.

Victoria holding a cat outdoors
Victoria working hands-on with a cat in a veterinary setting
The next chapter

What began in a fifth-grade classroom is now reaching toward a global audience.

Victoria's Amazing World is entering an exciting new chapter. We are currently in preproduction on a television series that will take the original mission to an entirely new level—combining animals, exploration, education, entertainment and unforgettable experiences with the goal of reaching audiences around the world.

The format may be growing, but the heart remains the same: curiosity, compassion, education and respect for the amazing world around us.
Thank you for being part of what comes next.
With love,Victoria’s signature