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{{SHORTDESC:Indian animal rescuer, author, and theatre artist}}{{#seo:|title=Dr. Archana Shailesh Patel|title_mode=append|keywords=Dr. Archana Patel, animal rescuer, Gujarati writer, theatre artist, motivational speaker, Dharmaj, Gujarat, Dr. Archana Shailesh Patel Wikipedia|description=Dr. Archana Shailesh Patel is an Indian animal rescuer, author, theatre artist, and motivational speaker known for her work in wildlife conservation and Gujarati literature.|image=Dr. Archana Shailesh Patel.png|image_alt=Dr. Archana Shailesh Patel}}
{| class="infobox" style="width: 22em; font-size: 90%; text-align: left; border-spacing: 0px; background-color: #f9f9f9; border: 1px solid #aaa; float: right; margin-left: 1em;"
| colspan="2" style="text-align: center; font-size: larger; padding: 5px 0;" |'''Dr. Archana Shailesh Patel'''
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align: center; padding: 0; background-color: #f9f9f9;" |[[File:Dr. Archana Shailesh Patel.png|alt=Dr. Archana Shailesh Patel |frameless]]
|-
| style="width: 30%; padding: 5px; vertical-align: top;" |'''Born'''
| style="width: 70%; padding: 5px; vertical-align: top;" |28 April 1976, [[wikipedia:Ahmedabad|Ahmedabad]], [[wikipedia:Gujarat|Gujarat]], [[wikipedia:India|India]]
|-
| style="width: 30%; padding: 5px; vertical-align: top;" |'''Nationality'''
| style="width: 70%; padding: 5px; vertical-align: top;" |[[wikipedia:India|Indian]]
|-
| style="width: 30%; padding: 5px; vertical-align: top;" |'''Residence'''
| style="width: 70%; padding: 5px; vertical-align: top;" |[[wikipedia:Dharmaj|Dharmaj]], [[wikipedia:Gujarat|Gujarat]], [[wikipedia:India|India]]
|-
| style="width: 30%; padding: 5px; vertical-align: top;" |'''Occupation'''
| style="width: 70%; padding: 5px; vertical-align: top;" |
* [[wikipedia:Theatre|Theatre artist]]
* [[wikipedia:Television|Television actor]]
* [[wikipedia:Model (person)|Model]]
* [[wikipedia:Writer|Writer]]
* [[wikipedia:Animal rescue|Animal rescuer]]
* [[wikipedia:Motivational speaker|Motivational speaker]]
|-
| style="width: 30%; padding: 5px; vertical-align: top;" |'''Years active'''
| style="width: 70%; padding: 5px; vertical-align: top;" |1986–present
|-
| style="width: 30%; padding: 5px; vertical-align: top;" |'''Known for'''
| style="width: 70%; padding: 5px; vertical-align: top;" |
* [[wikipedia:Wildlife rehabilitation|Wildlife rescue]]
* [[wikipedia:Gujarati literature|Gujarati writing]]
* Motivational talks
* Dhunn – The Petting Farm
|-
| style="width: 30%; padding: 5px; vertical-align: top;" |'''Education'''
| style="width: 70%; padding: 5px; vertical-align: top;" |
* B.A. in Indian Culture – [[wikipedia:Gujarat University|Gujarat University]]
* Diploma in Nursing – Ahmedabad Para Medical College
* Veterinary short courses – VETMEDUX, Clinician’s Brief
|-
| style="width: 30%; padding: 5px; vertical-align: top;" |'''Awards'''
| style="width: 70%; padding: 5px; vertical-align: top;" |
* Rashtriya Pratishtha Puraskar
* Indian Visionary Award
* Reptile Rescuer Award
* Honorary Doctorates – HDAC, AMC, WCEPC
|-
| style="width: 30%; padding: 5px; vertical-align: top;" |'''Website'''
| style="width: 70%; padding: 5px; vertical-align: top;" |[https://www.instagram.com/dhunn_the_petting_farm Instagram – Dhunn Petting Farm]
|}
'''Dr. Archana Shailesh Patel''' (born 28 April 1976) is an Indian theatre and TV artist, writer, animal rescuer, and social activist. She is known for her contributions to Gujarati literature, extensive reptile and stray animal rescue work, and her role as a motivational speaker. Over the years, she has been honored with multiple national and international recognitions for her humanitarian and literary achievements.

== Early Life and Education ==
Dr. Archana was born in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, to renowned Gujarati columnist and writer '''Mrs. Jyoti Bhatt''' and well-known comedian theatre artist '''Mr. Satish Bhatt'''. She completed her schooling at Kameshwar Vidhyalaya and later pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Indian Culture from HK Arts College under Gujarat University. She also holds a Diploma in Nursing from Ahmedabad Para Medical College.

Her upbringing in a culturally rich family deeply influenced her interests in the arts and literature, while her empathy toward animals steered her into rescue and welfare work from a young age.

=== Additional Certifications ===
She has completed several web-based veterinary care certifications from VETMEDUX and Clinician’s Brief (2024–2025), focusing on suturing, dermatology, primary care, and behavioral interventions for animals.

== Career ==
Dr. Archana began her career as a child artist in television and amateur theatre in 1986. She worked as a model, client servicing executive at Goldmine Advertising Pvt. Ltd. (1996–2000), and later as HR Head at AZZURE Informatics (2000–2004). In 1995, she served as a vocal artist for All India Radio.

Her entrepreneurial journey includes being:
* Proprietor of '''Radhika Tobacco Processor'''
* Founder of '''GypsyEvents''' (since 1998)
* Owner of '''Dhunn – The Petting Farm''', which houses over 350+ exotic live species including birds, animals, reptiles, primates, and marsupials
* Settlor of '''Dhunn Charitable Trust'''

=== Writing Career ===
She is a published author of five ISBN-registered Gujarati books and over 67 eBooks on the Matrubharti platform. Her works include poetry, short stories, and motivational essays.

=== Rescue and Welfare Work ===
Since 1992, she has been actively rescuing reptiles and stray animals. Her work includes:
* Collaborations with CWLW staff and other NGOs
* Conducting awareness programs
* Managing an animal welfare farm

== Published Works ==
* ''Sant Tulsidasji ni Kavitavali no Rasaswaad'' – Gurjar Sahitya Prakashan (2015)
* ''Hriday Name Ukhanu'' – Gurjar Sahitya Prakashan (2015)
* ''Shamna to Ashru Ni Jaat'' – Gurjar Sahitya Prakashan (2015)
* ''Manomanthan'' – Navbharat Sahitya Mandir (2023)
* ''Gurudakshina'' – Navbharat Sahitya Mandir (2023)

She has also contributed poems and articles to magazines and newspapers including *Divya Bhaskar* and *Jalaramdeep*.

== Awards and Recognitions ==
* '''Rashtriya Pratishtha Puraskar''' – Worthy Wellness Foundation (2022)
* '''Honorary Doctorate as Author''' – HDAC (2025)
* '''Indian Visionary Award – Real Heroes''' – Golden Sparrows under I&B Ministry (2025)
* '''Doctorate in Animal Primary Care (Rescue Specialization)''' – American Merit Council (2025)
* '''Women’s Empowerment Award''' – LPAC, with recognition from Ministry of Corporate Affairs, NITI Aayog, and MSME (2025)
* '''Reptile Rescuer Award''' – Global Excellence Forum (2025)
* '''Doctorate in Reptile Rescue Techniques''' – WCEPC under NITI Aayog and Ministry of MSME (2025)
* '''Rashtriya Shaurya Sammaan''' – Govt. of India-recognized (2025)

== Personal Life ==
Dr. Archana resides in Dharmaj, Gujarat, where she runs her petting farm and welfare trust. Her linguistic abilities span over 8 languages including Gujarati, Hindi, English, Brajbhasha, Sanskrit, Devnagari, Marathi, and Punjabi.

== Social Media ==
* [https://www.facebook.com/share/18nXKbYxAB/?mibextid=wwXIfr Facebook]
* [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-archana-patel-9ba753333 LinkedIn]
* [https://www.instagram.com/archana_bhatt_patel Instagram (Personal)]
* [https://www.instagram.com/dhunn_the_petting_farm Instagram (Farm)]
* [https://youtube.com/@dhunn.gypsypets YouTube]
* [https://www.matrubharti.com/dhara2402gmailcom Matrubharti Author Page]

== See Also ==
* Animal welfare in India
* Gujarati literature

== External Links ==
* [https://www.matrubharti.com/dhara2402gmailcom Matrubharti Author Page]
* [https://www.instagram.com/dhunn_the_petting_farm Dhunn – The Petting Farm]

[[Category:1976 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian women writers]]
[[Category:Indian animal welfare workers]]
[[Category:People from Gujarat]]
[[Category:Indian television actors]]
[[Category:Indian women activists]]
[[Category:Gujarati-language writers]]
[[Category:Indian women poets]]