Welcome to
The Wild One Project™
Understand them. Respect them. Protect them.
Hi! I am "Dr. Wild"
and I am so happy you are here
Tiffany Ruiz, VMD, cVMA
I am a veterinarian, author, conservation advocate, and mom of two. My life's work centers around helping people see animals differently: noticing what they're communicating, understanding what they need, and recognizing how our choices affect their lives.
I created The Wild One Project to bring that work together, from the dogs sharing our homes to the wildlife sharing our planet.
And with your help, I know we can change the world for the better for our animal friends! Whether you are 5 or 100 years old... you can help make a difference.
MY MOTTO IS SIMPLE
When people UNDERSTAND animals, they are more likely to RESPECT them and work to PROTECT them.
"Sometimes loving animals isn't enough... We must work to understand them and act to protect them."
- Dr. Wild
Understanding begins at home.
The animals sharing our homes are communicating every day. Learning to notice their signals and understand their needs helps us care for them with greater compassion.
Whether you're looking for ways to enrich your pet's life or helping a child learn to respect their dog, there's a place to begin.
For you...
See everyday life through your dog's eyes.
Explore practical guides to help you recognize what your dog is communicating and bring more opportunities to sniff, explore, play, and choose into their day. A deeper connection begins with paying attention.
For the child in your life...
Understanding dogs is a superpower.
Help the little animal lover in your life discover what dogs are trying to say. Speaking Dog is my Superpower takes young readers on an exciting adventure where they learn to notice dog body language, respect boundaries, and put kindness into practice—earning their place in the League of Pet Protectors.
For the pocket pet in your life...
Small doesn't mean
simple
A hamster’s burrow. A fish’s underwater world. A bird’s need to explore. Small animals have needs that are easy to overlook. Discover practical resources to help you understand their behavior, create enriching environments, and give them the care they deserve.
But our understanding can reach far beyond our homes
The curiosity that begins with the dog beside us can grow into care for the world around us. The wildlife sharing our planet have needs, boundaries, and lives of their own. Understanding them not only helps us recognize how our choices affect their world and what we can do to protect it, but it can also invite us to reflect on our own lives.
Life lessons inspired by the wild
Meet Wild Wisdom
From African Wild Dogs who demonstrate the value of teamwork... to butterflies who embrace change... to elephants who cope with big feelings...
The animal kingdom is full of emotional wisdom.
Wild Wisdom blends animal science and emotional growth so kids learn important life skills—like empathy, confidence, and calm—from the animals who demonstrate them, while also learning about the challenges those animals face and ways to help protect them.