A Blessing in Disguise?
Following his accident, Joe and Brian moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, where Joe underwent treatments and rehabilitation. During this time, Joe found employment at a pet store – this wasn’t his first time working with animals, but his first time working at a pet store – which later inspired him to open one with his brother.
Florida was the place where Joe discovered his interest in exotic animals. His neighbor worked at a nearby exotic animal park, and often he’d bring back from the park monkeys, baby lions and other small animals, which he allowed Joe to play with and bottle-feed.