We sat down with our previous senior manager, Riley Dunwoody, and asked her a few questions to reflect on her time in the Wildlife Medical Clinic and her plans for the future as she enters her last year of Veterinary school.
What inspired you to be a manager at the Wildlife Medical Clinic?
My main goal when applying to be a student manager was to continue to contribute to the community of the WMC and do what I could to make it the best experience for our volunteers, especially our students. I wanted to be someone people could go to for knowledge and community and be a friend for anyone that walked through the door.
As a manager, what was your favorite part about working in the Wildlife Medical Clinic?
I loved being able to work with every student who walked through the door. It was always so interesting to see the differing goals and future career plans that everyone comes with. I also loved being able to see how students’ confidence increased over the years with their handling of animals, creating treatment plans, and triaging the animals that come into the clinic.
What has been your favorite case during your time as manager?
My first summer in the clinic we had a barred owl come in with severe eye trauma, which left it blind in one eye. I was able to perform its eye evisceration (eye removal) surgery to ensure that the owl would be releasable in the future. I was later able to release this owl once it had healed from its surgery and was reconditioned and ready for release.
What are your favorite animals that came into the clinic?
I loved whenever we got opossums in the clinic, and I also really liked the barred owls.
How has working at the Wildlife Medical Clinic helped you as you transition into your clinical year?
It has definitely helped me adjust to the pace of clinics. It has helped with my confidence in handling all different species, as well as my confidence in creating treatment plans, and my general veterinary knowledge. It has also helped with my ability to present my cases to the faculty and with speaking to all the clients.
What are your career goals after graduation? What are your future plans after graduation?
My goal is to go into zoological medicine. After graduation I plan to go into a small animal rotating internship, before doing at least one zoo specialty internship before going into a residency.
What is one thing you’d like more people to know about the Wildlife Medical Clinic?
I think the main thing I want people to know about the WMC is the community that we have worked hard to create. The clinic is important to help with technical skills early on, but more importantly it is a place to find like-minded people and work closely with them. I have made many of my close friends through this clinic and they are people I know I will continue to have in my life as friends but also as colleagues for many many years to come.
We want to thank Riley for all the hours she dedicated to the Wildlife Medical Clinic. We miss seeing her around the clinic but are excited to see where she goes and all the cool things she does after graduation! Good Luck, Riley!
Written By: Zoey W., Class of 2028