Testimonials

From former student

December, 2001

Hello Joel and Tammy.
I just thought I would check in since I haven't been in contact since completing your course. Last year, I took in 78 deer heads, 2 full mount bears, 30 various fish several birds and 15 other various shoulder mounts. This year will be my fourth year in business since graduating from your school. The year after completing your course, I also started to attend college for the first time in my life. I am now a year away from also having a degree in mechanical engineering and an associate degree in drafting/design engineering and also a minor in electronics engineering. Whew have I been a busy guy. After having two people in my surrounding area attend other schools of taxidermy, I am now very confident that Joel's instruction is far and above better than that of other schools. The quality of these students work after completing school is not even close to the work I watched my classmates at your school accomplish. These guys are now my best referrers by doing poor quality work. After speaking with one of them, I realized how little he knew about the details that Joel stressed throughout the course I attended and was amazed when he asked my how to tan a hide himself because he had no idea how and his teacher never showed his class how. Anyways after I finish my college degrees I plan to do taxidermy as a hobby and maybe start to compete.

Once again, THANKS for running a first class operation

P.S. If you get a chance check out my website on Taxidermy.Net It has some of my older work on it but I will be updating it soon

Mike Zicafoose
Wildlife Visions Taxidermy
Fairmont, WV 
Graduated: 1997
 

May, 1998

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your fine school. Before taking your courses, I had only taken correspondence courses, watched videos and read books on taxidermy. Since I had been doing my own work since I was a teenager, I decided to make a career of it.

After taking your course, my work has dramatically improved. So much so, that the animals I mounted during your class recently won four blue ribbons and one red ribbon at the Virginia State Taxidermy Association Show in Stauton, Virginia. I even won a Best of Category for Habitat! The rock work that I learned to create received several positive comments from other professional taxidermists at the show.

Joel was very thorough in teaching technique and when a question arose, he answered it thoroughly. The knowledge that I have received from class was excellent and will be useful throughout my taxidermy career.

I recently passed the Pennsylvania State Taxidermy License test on the first try. You gave me the experience and confidence that I can do a quality mounting job.

Again, keep up the good work. I look forward to taking more seminars from your school in the future.

Mike Testerman
Big Horn Wildlife Studio
568 Cooper Road
Delta, PA  17314
(717) 456-5798
 

May, 1998

I attended Northwood School of Taxidermy from January through April, 1997. I found my experience there to be educational and helpful in my current business endeavors.

I started experimenting in taxidermy about eight years ago trying to learn through trial and error. After several years of being a taxidermy hobbyist, I decided to go to school and learn the proper techniques for taxidermy. I chose Northwood School because of its location and fair price.

The education and hands-on experience I received from Master Taxidermist Joel Zimmerman far exceeded my expectations. Since completing school I have competed at two state competitions, winning: 4 Best of Categories, several other ribbons, and the Best Turkey Award from the National Wild Turkey Federation. All of this is due in part to the great instruction I received at Northwood School.

I started my own business immediately after completing school. People began to see the level of work I could now do and I have had a good amount of success and am in my second year of full-time taxidermy. I am very grateful to Joel and Tammy, and all of the extra distance they go to make each student have a successful Taxidermy Career.

Rick R. Adkins
A & A Taxidermy
HC 74 Box 12
Sugar Grove, WV  26815
(304) 249-5741
 

From the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education

August, 1997

I am pleased to report that I found your school in compliance with the Board Regulations during my compliance visit on August 4, 1997.

A tour of the school and interviews with yourself and Joel were positive and no problems were encountered.

The student records I reviewed were all in order and contained the required information.

A review of the catalogue and enrollment agreement confirmed that they contained the required information and needed no corrections.

Thank you (Tammy) and Joel for the hospitality shown to me. It was a positive visit and you have a vital and growing school. I was impressed with the Web Page and the interest it has generated for your school.

John C. Farmer
Board Administrator
State Board of Private Licensed Schools
333 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA  17126-0333
(717) 783-8228
 

January, 1995

I would like to inform you that attending your school was one of the best things I have ever done. The schooling and instruction was excellent. The same year I finished school I took the test for a Pennsylvania Taxidermy Permit and passed with flying colors. I am now licensed in the state of Pennsylvania and under the Federal Fish and Wildlife.

This is the first year my shop has been open and business is great! I have taken in forty big game heads, eight bear, sheep and bear from Russia, several mammals, ducks, geese, fish and upland gamebirds. All this work came in with very little advertising. There is so much work out there that a taxidermist would have no problem making it into a full-time position.

Thanks again for everything!

Mark A. Singer
Singer's Taxidermy
RD#3, Box 120
Howard, PA  16841
(814) 353-0238
 

A LOS FUTUROS TAXIDERMISTAS DE HABLA HISPANA

Julio 26 de 1998

La suerte me trajo a Northwood School of Taxidermy, o quizas, mas que la suerta, el destino, ya que trate de aplicar en varias escuelas de taxidermia de los Estados Unidos de America, pero la unica persona que mostro interes en me caso fue Tammy Zimmerman. La escuela possee una infrestructura, materiales y equipos excelentes, ademas en la misma casa se encuentra el halojamiento, lo cual, sumado a los bajos costos del curso, me permitio economizar una cuantiosa suma de dinero

Los exitos logrados por los exalumnos de esta escuela como taxidermistas profesionales, mas la experiencia de Joel Zimmerman, (Innumerables premios en competencias nacionales y mas de diez anhos de experiencia en la ensenhanza de este arte) hablan por si solos. Sin embargo, lo mas valioso en Joel es su paciencia, la cual es muy importante para un aprendiz, cuando se es extranjero en un pais de hable distinta a la propia, "No importa que cometas errores, lo importante es que aqui vax a aprender a reparlos." En conclusion: mis estudadia en esta institucion ha sido de un vaolor incalculable?

El peor escollo que tiene que superar un estudiante, cuando esta viviendo en otro pais que no es el suyo, es la lejania de los seres queridos y de los amigos. En Joel y Tammy yo encontre dos verdaderos amigos que en todo momento me auyudaron a minimizar los efectos de esa lejania. Ellos me socorrieron con mis dificultades idiomaticas, me dieron el calor de una verdadera familia, me llevaron a su casa los fines de semana, fueron mis guias turisticos y me hicieron sentir como uno mas en su hogar.

Posiblemente, en los Estados Unidos, habra un numero incalculable de escuelas de taxidermia tan buenas como Northwood, pero yo creo que yo encontre en el matrimonio Zimmerman.

Si estas interezado en aprender taxidermia en los Estados Unidos, te aseguro que no te arrepentiras al hacerlo en Northwood School of Taxidermy.

Como muestra de agradecimiento a esta gente tan generosa y a manera de regalo para los hermanos de habla hispana, me di a la tarea de hacer la traduccion completa del Ingles al Espanhol, de todos los manuels y textos que me fueron entregados al inicio del curso. Eso les facilitara todavia mas el aprendizaje. Dichas traducciones son sucepitbles de ser mejoradas por cualzuier nuevo estudiante, con lo cual estaremos ayudando solidariamente a los companheros que nos sucedan en el futuro.

Atentamente:

Luis Enrique Adrenani Armas
Estudiante Venezolano
Nro. de telefono: 58-35-4001218
Email: angelita@cantv.net
Luis-andreani@hotmail.com