Attorney, Donor Dan Packard Helps Protect Phoenix Zoo’s Animals

Dan Packard grew up loving animals and visiting zoos. He’d go on a vacation to a new city. So much to see and do. But always, he would find time to visit the local zoo to see its animals and its facilities.

He moved to the Valley in 1988. He set up a law office specializing in estate planning. And he went to the Phoenix Zoo.

“On every visit, I’d go see the orangutans first,” he recalls with great fondness. “Their habitat then was more open to the public. They were so funny and unpredictable. And watching Ruby, the famous painting elephant, was always a joy.”

Dan settled into his new community. He became involved. He joined the Valley Leadership Group, a civic organization established to develop leaders who would help make their community a better place. And he found his place in a community he loved: The Phoenix Zoo. He joined the Zoo’s Planned Giving Advisory Committee.

“My passion for animals and the incredible work being done by the Phoenix Zoo really spoke to me,” he says. “The whole concept of species conservation, reintroduction, treating and curing diseases that affect animal populations in nature … all of that is really amazing and makes a huge difference, such as the saving of the Arabian oryx species.”

And then he realized he should go one step further. He had helped clients with their planned giving. What about his?

“Planned giving is the best opportunity to make a sizable gift that has a real impact,” he points out. “I support only a few organizations in my estate plans. I recently obtained two new life insurance policies, so I decided to make the Zoo a partial beneficiary. It was literally as easy as making a phone call to my insurance agent and filling out a quick form. I encourage others to do the same.”

By doing so, Dan became a member of the Zoo’s Antler Society. The term antler come from deer that leave their antlers behind for the nourishment of other living creatures.

“There is so much important work being done at the Zoo,” Dan continues. “I want to do whatever I can to make sure that work continues. Joining the Antler Society is a way to be part of the Zoo’s continuing conservation and education programs and to help guarantee the financial stability of the Phoenix Zoo.”

Dan grew up loving animals and visiting zoos. And by being an active member and donor of the Phoenix Zoo, he is helping make sure that others, for generations to come, will be able to share his joy and awe at the animals and all that the Zoo is accomplishing.

If the Phoenix Zoo holds a special place in your heart and you’d love to learn how you, too, can help through your estate plan, contact Liz Toth at 602.286.3881 and ltoth@phoenixzoo.org to learn more.