The highly anticipated Animal Experience event has made its grand return for IRC’s second annual year, selling out within just 24 hours of its release. This year’s 2025 event was designed to immerse Inland Regional Center’s diverse audience in a sensory experience like no other. Attendees had the opportunity to touch, interact with, and learn fascinating facts about a variety of animals at In-Roads’ Colton location.

The two-hour experience was nothing short of exhilarating. Daniel from Mobile Zoo of Southern California kicked things off with a high-energy demonstration, bringing the creatures to life for the audience. But the fun didn’t stop there! The event also featured a unique element—a brief but insightful American Sign Language (ASL) lesson from IRC’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Cultural Specialist, Estefania Peña, teaching attendees how to sign the names of the animals they were meeting. Adding an extra personal touch, IRC consumer Sebastian Becaria introduced his beloved parrot, New Year, sharing his story, care tips, and inviting everyone to pet his feathered friend. To top it off, a lively scavenger hunt kept participants engaged, and the day wrapped up with a delicious animal-themed lunch, served with care by the selfless staff and volunteers of In-Roads. Each child and consumer left the event with a special souvenir—a live caterpillar that would transform into a beautiful butterfly in a matter of days, right before their eyes, adding an extra layer of learning about nature.

Tameka Alexander, ASL Consultant and event organizer, shared her heartfelt thoughts: “Watching the children’s faces light up as they learned about and interacted with the animals was truly heartwarming. Their excitement during the scavenger hunt, especially when remembering the ASL signs, was a joy to witness. And knowing that they left with a caterpillar that will soon transform into a butterfly makes the experience unforgettable—not just for them, but for me as well.”

Sharon, CEO and event sponsor of In-Roads, was deeply moved by the overwhelming turnout and the impact of the event: “The attendees were so happy and surprised to hold, touch, and learn about reptiles they had never seen before. The smiles and applause showed just how much they loved this event. I was especially touched by the consumer’s presentation about his pet bird and was thrilled that we could include a consumer in the program.”

Once again, The Animal Experience event has proven to be a highlight for the community, bringing joy, hands-on learning, and unforgettable memories to all involved. With every year, it seems to get even better, leaving participants eagerly anticipating what new year’s experience will bring.

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Estefania Pena

Estefania Pena is a Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (D/HH) Cultural Specialist. She is a part of IRC’s Community Engagement team where she advocates for clients who are deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing. Estefania supports the expansion of deaf service resources, provides training and expertise to IRC staff, and coordinates with DDS on statewide efforts. Estefania is a proud Deaf Latina and is fluent in American Sign Language (ASL). During her free time, Estefania enjoys traveling, cooking, and tending to her growing collection of plants.