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MEET THE HANDLERS
At GARDENVIEW Entertainment, we believe that the magic of discovery is only possible through the dedicated management of our Toon Caregiver Division. Often referred to internally as The Handlers or The Toon Handlers, these high-level personnel serve as the vital link between our Toons and the physical world. Each member of this prestigious board is hand-selected for their specialized interpersonal skills and deep pedagogical understanding, ensuring that every interaction within our galleries — from a morning baking session with Sprout to a high-energy gameshow with Vee — is conducted with the utmost safety, precision, and wholesome intent that our founders, Arthur Walton and Delilah Keen, originally envisioned.
Our Toon Handlers, led by figures such as Devan Reed (Toon Handler of Dandy and Pebble), Austin Russo (Toon Handler of Astro), Veronica Hurley (Toon Handler of Vee), Shanon Mendez (Toon Handler of Shelly), and Sam McLaughlin (Toon Handler of Sprout), operates as the primary support system for our Main Toons; these dedicated handlers are more than just staff. They are the guardians of GARDENVIEW, meticulously managing the daily schedules, emotional welfare, and interactive parameters of our Mains cast to guarantee a seamless and educational experience for every Junior Explorer who walks through our doors. By maintaining a 1:1 mentorship ratio, our Handlers ensure that the unique personality of each Toon is nurtured in a controlled, scientific, and loving environment, allowing for a level of living storytelling that is simply unmatched in the industry.
While their work often takes place behind the scenes within our state-of-the-art warehouse and production facilities, the presence of the Handlers is felt in every smile shared and every lesson learned; they are the silent engine of the GARDENVIEW Educational Center and Museum, working tirelessly to uphold our Friendship First security protocols while preparing our cast for the bright, ever-evolving future of child entertainment. Whether they are coordinating live studio recordings or overseeing the complex maintenance that keeps our Toons and GARDENVIEW vibrant, the Management and Supervisory Board stands as a testament to our commitment to excellence, proving that at GARDENVIEW, the path to a brighter tomorrow is paved by the care we provide today.
Devan Reed
As the most tenured member of our Management and Supervisory Board, Devan Reed carries the prestigious responsibility of overseeing our Toons Dandy and Pebble.
Since joining the GARDENVIEW family, Devan has distinguished himself through his unparalleled patience and his commitment to the Core-Values Maintenance required by the stars of our show. Managing the daily logistics for the star of DANDY’S WORLD™ requires a delicate balance of high-level diplomacy and administrative precision. A task Devan handles with the quiet, steadfast professionalism that has become his trademark within our production facilities.
In addition to his coordination with Dandy, Devan is the primary caretaker for Pebble, our most energetic Toon. His work involves meticulous oversight of Pebble’s active-engagement protocols, ensuring that every play session is both stimulating for the Toon and perfectly safe for our visitors. While his dual-assignment is one of the most demanding at the GARDENVIEW Educational Center and Museum, Devan continues to demonstrate why he is the backbone of our caregiver division, ensuring that even our most complex Toons remain fine and dandy for the next generation of Junior Explorers.
Austin Russo
Austin Russo serves as the primary handler for Astro, ensuring that our nervous and/or anxious toon Astro remains in calm condition for every educational broadcast and museum appearance. Austin’s role is specialized toward a healthful care management, a vital part of the GARDENVIEW philosophy that prioritizes the natural rhythms and well-being of our Toons to ensure the highest quality of interpersonal engagement.
Astro is one of GARDENVIEW's most beloved figure known for his calm and dream-like persona, and Austin is the expert responsible for maintaining the tranquil environment that Astro requires to flourish. From managing the Quiet-Zone protocols within the lower galleries to overseeing the complex sleep-cycles that keep our space-faring friend energized for his fans, Austin ensures that every moment with Astro feels like a peaceful journey through the stars. His work is a testament to GARDENVIEW's commitment to a low-stress, high-nurture atmosphere, allowing our Junior Explorers to learn about the wonders of the night sky in a perfectly balanced and serene setting.
Sam Mclaughlin
Sam McLaughlin serves as the primary handler of Sprout, our lead pâtissier and culinary icon. Sam’s role is centered on Gastronomic Quality Control, a vital department that ensures every muffin, cookie, and pastry produced within the GARDENVIEW kitchens meets our rigorous Home-Style standards of excellence.
Managing the daily output of Sprout’s (and Cosmo’s) bakery requires a handler with an eye for detail and a commitment to consistency. Sam oversees the complex logistics of the kitchen zones, ensuring that Sprout (and Cosmo) has the premium ingredients and high-end equipment necessary to create the GARDENVIEW Quality snacks that our visitors know and love. Whether it’s coordinating a large-scale baking workshop or managing the Fresh-from-the-Oven distribution protocols, Sam ensures that Sprout’s culinary creativity is always paired with the highest safety and nutritional standards. Together, they make sure that every bite taken at the GARDENVIEW Educational Center and Museum is as sweet and fulfilling as the memories made here.
Shanon Mendez
Shanon Mendez is the handler of Shelly, our lead educational specialist and resident dinosaur expert. Shanon’s role focuses on Pedagogical Immersion Management, a department dedicated to ensuring that every fact, exhibit, and interactive session Shelly hosts is both academically rigorous and perfectly suited for the inquisitive minds of our Junior Explorers.
Managing a character as high-energy and intellectually curious as Shelly requires a handler with a background in both theater and museum sciences. Shanon oversees the Discovery Vaults, ensuring Shelly is equipped with the most up-to-date (and safe) paleontological props for her daily tours. Whether it’s coordinating the Dino Fact of the Day or managing the Dino-Dig interactive zones, Shanon ensures that Shelly’s passion for the prehistoric era is delivered with the warmth and professionalism that defines the GARDENVIEW Educational Center and Museum.
Thanks to Shanon’s meticulous planning, every visit to Shelly’s gallery is a journey millions of years in the making.
Veronica Hurley
Veronica Hurley is the primary handler of Vee, our lead media personality and head of the GARDENVIEW Broadcasting Division. Veronica’s role is centered on Live-Feed Integrity, a specialized department ensuring that every broadcast, gameshow, and digital transmission featuring Vee is produced with the absolute highest technical and moral standards.
Managing a personality as dynamic and influential as Vee requires a handler with deep expertise in communications and digital ethics. Veronica oversees the Transmission Hubs, meticulously managing the synchronization between Vee’s digital presence and the physical studio environment to ensure a seamless viewer experience. Whether she is coordinating a new episode of a GARDENVIEW original series or overseeing the interactive "Viewer-Participation" protocols, Veronica ensures that Vee remains a shining beacon of entertainment and education. Her work guarantees that the GARDENVIEW Quality seen on screen is a true reflection of the excellence we maintain behind the scenes.