Dale Kernahan and John Stokes have a combined 72 years of experience working with raptors. Dale became a licensed Falconer in 1990 and eventually became Master Rated. She began her professional raptor career in 1993 when she joined the American Eagle Foundation as a Raptor Care Specialist and Wildlife Program Presenter. She helped care for and train various raptors for the Wings of America Show at Dollywood and conducted hundreds of presentations during her time there. In 2002, she left the Foundation and began her next job as a Herpetologist with the Santa Barbara Zoo. In 2004, she relocated to Trenton, Georgia, and began work with Save Our American Raptors. This non-profit organization mainly conducted birds of prey programs at schools, state parks, and civic groups and in 2005, began the Rock City Raptors birds of prey programs at the See Rock City attraction above Chattanooga, Tennessee.

In 2013, Dale and John formed Wings to Soar and continue to do all of the educational programs that began with Save Our American Raptors, including the Rock City Raptors presentations. Dale, along with John, has conducted several thousand raptor programs with S.O.A.R. and Wings To Soar. John began his professional bird career in 1977 as a Bird Keeper with the Memphis Zoo. In 1978, he started the Memphis Zoo Raptor Rehabilitation Program which annually treated hundreds of injured and orphaned birds of prey. In 1978, John became a licensed Falconer, eventually achieving a Master rating. In 1979, he was promoted to Assistant Curator of Birds. During his time at the zoo, John started
doing educational bird programs, not only at the zoo but at schools, state parks, and civic groups. In 1986, John left the Memphis Zoo and began work with the Cumberland Wildlife Foundation in Mount Juliet, Tennessee. His job was Director of Wildlife and his duties included wildlife rehabilitation, raptor training, and educational programs. In November of 1989, the Cumberland Wildlife Foundation merged with the National Foundation to Protect America’s Eagles (later known as the American Eagle Foundation). In January of 1991, NFPAE relocated to Pigeon Forge and the Dollywood theme park. His position was that of Edu-tainment Director and his duties were training raptors and presentators for the Wings of America Show, captive breeding, and release of Bald and Golden Eagles and Barn Owls. From 1991-2002, he conducted several thousand programs at Dollywood and various other venues. In 2002, John left AEF and became the Lead Keeper of Birds at the Santa Barbara Zoo. From 2004 to the present, John has worked with Dale at Save Our American Raptors and Wings To Soar.