The Wildlife Medical Clinic is excited to introduce our newest student manager from the Class of 2028, Alyssa Guest! Alyssa is originally from New Boston, Michigan and graduated from Michigan State University in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in Zoology. Her current veterinary medicine interests include wildlife and exotics, but she is keeping an open mind while she progresses through the veterinary curriculum. We sat down with Alyssa and asked her a handful of questions. Continue reading to learn more about her!
We first inquired about Alyssa’s path to veterinary medicine and learned that when she was in high school, she originally wanted to pursue psychology until she took a zoology class. While she was in her undergrad at Michigan State, she still was unsure on what she wanted to pursue but knew that she liked working hands-on with animals. Alyssa found herself in a full-time research position the summer between her sophomore and junior year working with moths to control an invasive plant species, Swallow-Wort, commonly known as “Dog Strangling Vine”. After her time in a research setting, Alyssa then began working in a primary care veterinary clinic.
How she came to be manager
Next, we were curious to know why Alyssa was interested in applying for WMC manager. Alyssa was excited to share that one of her team leaders, Rachel, really planted the seeds in her head about applying for the position. After speaking with one of the current managers, Riley, Alyssa was very interested in all the different opportunities that she could have as a manager. More importantly, she wants to be heavily involved in providing education and comfort for all the volunteers.
While Alyssa is still a manager in training, she is looking forward to this upcoming summer where she will be in the clinic full-time with student interns, 4th year veterinary students, and faculty. Alyssa stated that she cannot wait to be able to put all her training to use as she works with more species and learns new skills. When it comes to her future goals, Alyssa wants to work towards becoming more comfortable with avian species while making the Wildlife Medical Clinic as enjoyable as possible for everyone involved.
Lastly, we asked Alyssa what she enjoys outside of veterinary medicine and if she has any particular species, she hopes to encounter during her time in the WMC. Alyssa was delighted to share with us that she enjoys drawing, cross-stitch, and playing video games. As a bonus, she shared that she also knows how to play the trombone! When thinking about potential patients that could arrive at the clinic, Alyssa said that she would be excited to work with a pelican or other reptiles and amphibians.
We are thrilled to welcome Alyssa into her new position as manager!
Written By: Rachel Eggleston, Co-Chair, Class of 2027
Spring is the season of changes, and at the Wildlife Medical Clinic, we are experiencing our bittersweet moment. Every year around springtime, we prepare for the big transition of the manager position where our senior student manager leaves the wildlife clinic as they enter their clinical year. The Wildlife Medical Clinic is a fully student-run organization with the supervision and support of the faculty and house officers. It is a one-of-a-kind environment that provides unique experiences to our students for their growth in leadership, medical knowledge, and hands-on skills. Everyone is an intricate part of ensuring top-notch care to our patients. However, the unsung hero who works tirelessly in the background and polishes every screw and plate in this process are our student managers. They have dedicated an enormous amount of time, brain power, and labor to provide the best patient care and a high-quality learning environment for our students.
Tyson Jenkins (VM26) is our current senior student manager who will be transitioning out of his position over Spring break as he prepares to enter his clinical year as a veterinary student. We are honored to have the chance to chat with him and excited to share the interview with you. His commitment to this position and all the hard work that he devoted to advocating for the volunteers, patient care, and his fellow classmates is something that we will be forever grateful for. We cannot wait to see his amazing accomplishments and the extraordinary clinician he will become. Thank you, Tyson! The clinic will surely miss you a lot!
Q & A with the Man Himself
Q: What is the next step for you after clinical rotations?
A: “My goal is to apply for a wildlife specific internship. I’m currently looking at the Partners 4 Wildlife internship in Washington, Virginia Wildlife Center internship, and the Nebraska Wildlife Rehab internship. My main goal is to work in Wildlife Rehabilitation Medicine, they are currently working on having it established as an actual official specialty, so eventually I would like to be boarded in it if I can. My ultimate goal is to do wildlife full time.”
Q: What is one or a few of your best memories from the Wildlife Medical Clinic?
A: “I think it was really funny when we moved the bear”. [a brief pause with laughter]
A: “I don’t really have a specific memory, but just the summer period in general where we have a smaller team, more targeted mentorship, and a much higher caseload. That was always my favorite part of the job, especially because I could focus on doing wildlife all day every day instead of having to balance schoolwork and other responsibilities. I very distinctly remember my very first treatment shift as a volunteer. One of the team leaders asked for volunteers to help with the hawk and I had zero training going in and she was basically like “If you don’t do it now, you’re never going to do it”, so she had me catch up the hawk my very first day in wildlife. I will never forget that because that set the expectation that hands on learning is the requirement in the clinic”.
Q: Do you have a favorite patient?
A: “I really like the resident snapping turtle even though he is so grumpy all the time. He is just fun to work with especially because he is a small snapping turtle, so he is good to learn on.”
A: “We had a neurologic goose my first summer that we basically built a wheelchair sling kind of thing for, and we would give it pool time, that was really fun.”
Q: What is something you’ve learned during your time as the clinic manager and also being a volunteer?
A: “I think I have grown the most in my people skills. I kind of expected the clinical skills and the veterinary knowledge that comes with the position, but I didn’t fully expect how much being a manager and even being a volunteer is dependent on the people that you work with. Especially team building and conflict resolution and management and even just how to encourage people to do things successfully, that has been the biggest takeaway for me”.
Q: Out of all the species you got to work with during your time, which one would be your favorite?
A: “I really love Cooper’s Hawks; I’ve said that all 3 years. Mostly because they are a nightmare and I think that’s really fun. We also had a Bull Frog that I loved very much”.
A: “The otters were very cool. I never really expected to get otters. The experience of working with a carnivore like that was really cool.”
A: “I also just really love Canada Geese as patients, I think they are really rewarding to work with as much as people don’t like them.”
Q: What is your biggest piece of advice for current and future volunteers?
A: “Take every learning opportunity that’s given to you. I think the Wildlife Clinic is much better suited for the hands-on learning that students are looking for. I remember going on clinical rotations my 1st and 2nd year and being really disappointed because it felt like my learning as a 1st and 2nd year wasn’t a priority. Whereas when you’re in the wildlife clinic, you are there because we want you to practice those clinical skills and soak up all the knowledge from everyone around you. Remember that you are there to learn and take all those opportunities that you can, especially being a primary because that is huge that you can have primary case management as a 1st or 2nd year because you don’t get that anywhere else in the hospital”.
Q: What are you going to miss the most about WMC?
A: “Number one are the people. I think going into clinical rotations, I’m really going to miss the creative aspect of working in the Wildlife Medical Clinic, like the directly creative aspect where I was always putting together posters and learning materials and presentations. But also, there is something about Wildlife Medicine where you are kind of always making it up as you go. That sounds bad, but there are a lot of patients that we either don’t have the husbandry resources for or they have really specific requirements for care that you have to figure out how to create and that’s one of the things that I enjoy the most about wildlife medicine and I think I’m going to really miss that in a more standard hospital setting”.
Q: Lastly, is there anything else you would like to share with the readers?
A: “Peace!”
A: “I’m going to miss everyone and I know the clinic is going to continue to grow and do amazing things and I’m very happy and extremely lucky to have been a part of that for the past 3 years”.
Praise for Tyson
We would also like to share a few quotes from our clinic directors and student volunteers that highlight Tyson’s dedication and achievement as a student manager!
-Interview conducted by Rachel Eggleston (VM27), article organized by YiYing Tung (VM26)
Follow Tyson Jenkins, WMC senior manager, and Alyssa Guest, WMC junior manager in training as they discuss their role in the Wildlife Medical Clinic, what their plans are after vet school, and how volunteering in the clinic will help them with those plans.
Summer is the busiest season in the Wildlife Medical Clinic! To ensure we provide quality care and support to our patients, our summer interns have been putting their whole heart into caring for our wildlife patients and supporting our faculty, house officers, and 4th-year vet students. Each year, we hire 3-4 veterinary medicine students, who have been involved in the clinic for at least a year, as summer interns. Their main responsibilities are to provide near-peer mentoring to our 4th-year students on case management, medical treatment, diagnostic choice, and all things wildlife. Below are some of the case highlights from each of our summer interns this year and their reflections on the season!
Rachel Eggleston, Class of 2027- Case Highlight:
At the beginning of August, the Wildlife Medical Clinic received a female American Kestrel. She came to us after being found near the side of the road and was not acting normally. I do not have a lot of experience with American Kestrels in the clinic and I really enjoyed getting to be involved during the triage exam for this patient. During her physical exam, there were not any obvious injuries or abnormalities, but we did notice some increased laxity in her right wing. We also looked into her eyes with an ophthalmoscope and were able to see evidence of minor hemorrhage or blood in the right eye. While she has been in the clinic, we have been providing pain medications, anti-inflammatories, and additional supportive care as needed. I look forward to working with her more and seeing her progression as she continues to heal!
Rachel’s Thoughts
My name is Rachel Eggleston, and I was chosen to be one of the DVM student interns for this summer! I will be going into my second year of veterinary school this fall. Some of my favorite memories from this internship have been getting to work with different raptor species. One of my favorite memories that I will remember for a long time is getting to scrub in and suture close on a surgery for a Great Horned Owl! I have always been a fan of birds and thoroughly enjoyed helping treat a Bald Eagle we had in the clinic for a while before it was transferred to a different wildlife center. I love so many things about being able to work in the WMC, but I think what I value the most from my time this summer is the long-lasting connections I have been able to make. I have greatly enjoyed getting to work alongside clinical year students, faculty, residents, and the WMC managers. This summer program has allowed me to grow and strengthen my skills as a future veterinarian, student, and colleague, and I am so grateful to have had this opportunity!
Roxanne Lisowsky, Class of 2027- Case Highlight:
In early July, we had an adult female eastern box turtle come into the clinic for swelling on the sides of her face and not moving around much. Upon our initial exam we found that the patient had aural (ear) abscesses on both sides. The turtle also had some crusting and discharge in both eyes along with nasal discharge. We were able to drain the larger abscesses and started her on antibiotics to help clear the rest of both abscesses. We also gave pain medication and anti-inflammatory medication to help with her healing. During her stay we also found she had corneal ulcers that we treated with eye medication, and they resolved. We had to drain the abscess one more time during her recovery. We also tested for mycoplasma, and it came back negative while the culture of the abscesses came back sensitive to the antibiotic we used. She continued healing and recovering well in the clinic. Turtles heal very slowly, and it takes a lot of patience and dedication to help them along the way. We made sure she finished her course of antibiotics and then she was given one last exam to confirm her clean bill of health before being released on August 9. We hope she has a long and healthy life!
Roxanne’s Thoughts
My favorite part about this summer has been working with the undergrads and 4th-year students. I love being able to show them new things about wildlife patients, teaching new skills, and seeing the lightbulb moments. I grew more confident in my daily clinical abilities and feel prepared and excited to be a team leader for the next school year. I also enjoyed seeing patients we don’t always get during the school year.
Caroline McCormick, Class of 2027- Case Highlight:
An adult female mallard presented to the wildlife medical clinic on May 29, 2024, with an acute mid-diaphyseal long obliqued simple right humeral fracture, opened on ventral aspect with ~1-2 cm of exposed bone with each fragment. The injury appeared very acute (< 6 hours old), and not grossly contaminated. There was relatively minimal muscle/soft tissue damage.
Immediately upon intake, radiographs were performed to confirm the injury, and the animal was prepped and taken to surgery. An inter-medullary pin was retrograded into the right proximal humerus via existing the ventral wound. The distal fragment was aligned and the IM pin advanced until it was well seated in the distal fragment. The open fracture was closed with a continuous horizontal mattress suture. The IM pin was bent using a chuck and vice grip and then blunted. A body wrap was placed to stabilize the wing for healing. The mallard was then started on pain medications and antibiotics.
Physical therapy was performed three times per week for several weeks to prevent loss of range of motion in the wing. The pin was slowly destabilized or removed as the wound healed. Repeat radiographs were performed to monitor healing. Eventually the pin was removed completely. Once the mallard was healed, she was transferred to another facility for continued rehabilitation before release.
Caroline’s Thoughts
The summer program has been wonderful. I have enjoyed working with so many wonderful people and animals. I have learned a lot and been able to practice many skills.
Sofia Murillo Logan, Class of 2026- Case Highlight:
One of the most inspiring cases from this summer is from a small bunny that came into the Clinic. An unidentified juvenile eastern cottontail presented to the Wildlife Medical Clinic on June 14, with a history of a broken left leg. On the intake exam we found a fracture of the right tibia, but other than that, this bunny was pretty healthy. Now when animals come into the clinic there are a list of factors we always need to consider for the health and safety of the animals and the volunteers. “How will this animal respond to captivity while in the clinic, and what is this animal’s prognosis.” Prognosis meaning based on everything going on with the animal and the road they face ahead, how likely are they to survive to then be released.
When speaking to Dr. Lewis about this case and evaluating the prognosis of this patient we decided to keep this patient for further evaluation. Due to their good body condition and the stability of the fracture we created a plan for this patient. Body condition can be a huge aspect to the prognosis of a patient. This comes down to, how stable is this animal, and if it is not stable, how long will it need to become stable. Without the patient being in good body condition and having appropriate neurological signs, it can be hard to treat severe injuries successfully.
Throughout the patient’s stay the bunny was doing very well. We stabilized the fracture site with an Ehmer sling, the same process as when you need to put your arm in a sling when you shouldn’t use it, for healing purposes. We kept the bunny on some pain medications to keep them comfortable while in our care. We took radiographs (x-rays) on the patient to visualize the fractured leg. After confirming the stability of the fracture, the doctors were able to fix the leg surgically by placing an intramedullary pin. This is a pin just a little smaller than the width of a bone that is used to keep the bones in place while the patient is healing. After surgery our patient was still doing well and gaining weight, which again eating is a positive prognostic indicator. After about a week we checked to see the healing progress of the patient by taking another radiograph. Since there was evidence of a bony callus starting to form, we removed the sling and allowed the patient to freely move around the cage to encourage movement of the stifle (knee) and hock (ankle). After another week another radiograph was taken to see if it was time to take the pin out of the patient’s leg. Due to the stability and healing of the leg we did decide to take the pin out. The pin was removed a little over 2 weeks after being placed. We were able to remove this pin this early because bunnies can heal very quickly, especially young ones. We also didn’t want the pin to limit this growing bunny’s leg, so we were very happy to remove it so quickly. The bunny was able to be released a few days after pin removal.
Overall, the patient did very well and gained over 100g during their time with us in the clinic. Something we could have done differently in this case was to keep this patient a little bit longer to get more strength built in the injured leg but ultimately it was doing well, and we felt comfortable with releasing when we did. We were very happy with the result of this case and hope this eastern cottontail is out in the wild eating all the greens and growing to adulthood!
Sofia’s Thoughts
My name is Sofia Murillo Logan and I am one of the Wildlife Medical Clinic Summer Interns. I applied to this internship because I wanted to spend more of my time immersed in wildlife. Volunteering for the clinic in the school year can be difficult due to the rigors of veterinary school. My experience thus far has been nothing short of inspiring. I get to learn daily from our amazing WMC Director, Dr. Stephany Lewis, as well as our house officers that are working towards specializations. Being at the clinic has increased my confidence and knowledge not just in wildlife species, but also in medicine and clinical reasoning. I have greatly enjoyed working with our fantastic and knowledgeable managers Tyson Jenkins and Riley Dunwoody. They both are incredible leaders and are passionate about doing what’s best for all the creatures in our care, as well as for the students in the clinic. For any students at the University of Illinois interested in gaining more hands-on experience I highly recommend getting involved in the Wildlife Medical Clinic.
Written By: YiYing and Sofia, class of 2026, and Rachel, Roxanne, and Caroline, Class of 2027.
Every year, during the summer, the Wildlife Medical Clinic receives numerous calls about white-tailed deer fawns. These fawns are found in many different situations, such as lying in a yard close to people’s homes or workplace and often they are found alone. While this can be alarming, it doesn’t always mean that this is an animal in need. There are many facts about deer and fawns that you want to consider before deciding to intervene. Read below to learn about some of these facts.
When are fawns typically born?
Deer have one litter of babies per year, usually during the months of May to June, with the majority of them being born in June. It is common for them to have one or two babies in a litter, and on rare occasions, three. Fawns are born looking almost like replicas of adult deer, as they have their eyes open and are fully furred; they do however have white spots across their backs to help them camouflage.
Why am I seeing a newborn fawn alone without its mother?
While fawns can stand and walk when they are first born, they don’t have the ability to move fast enough to run from predators or keep up with mom as she looks for food. To keep them safe while mom forages, they are periodically left by their mothers in tall grass or bushes for approximately the first month of life until they have grown enough to keep up with mom. Once the fawn is safely hidden, mom will then wander off to eat food, and will come back multiple times throughout the day to feed her babies. She will do this when there is no threat detected, which for deer includes people standing nearby.
What should you do if you are worried about the lone fawn?
Simply seeing a fawn lying on the ground by itself is not a reason for concern, since the mothers leave them by themselves for long periods of time. If you happen to see a fawn with no obvious injuries, and it is curled up laying on the ground, the best course of action is to leave it alone completely, and to check back in the next 24-48 hours to see if it is still in the same spot. If the fawn has not moved after 24-48 hours, you should call your local conservation officer or wildlife center to get advice on the next steps.
What are signs that a fawn is orphaned or needs help?
While many of the fawn sightings we receive calls about at the clinic are related to normal baby deer behavior, it is not impossible for a deer to be found in need of help. Some signs to look out for include seeing a fawn walking or wandering around while vocalizing. Baby deer that are being watched over by their mom, and have been left for the day stay very still and very quiet, so seeing a fawn wandering and vocalizing can be a sign that its mother has not returned. Other signs include seeing any visible injuries. These are two instances where a fawn would need additional help, and you should call your local conservation officer or wildlife center to get advice on safe capture and location to get help.
Do fawns have a better chance of survival with their mother or in the clinic?
If the fawn has no injuries and is not sick or has been confirmed orphaned the best chance of survival is in the wild, being taken care of by its mother. This is why you may be encouraged to place a fawn back where it was found or be told to leave it alone if you find one. Deer are often high-stress animals and when in captivity that can lead them to be prone to serious injuries. It is also hard to perfectly replicate a mother deer’s milk, so if there is a chance that a baby deer can be fed by its mother, that is always recommended.
Overall, the best course of action when finding a fawn, if it does not have any visible injuries, is to leave it alone exactly where it was found. If you have any questions relating to finding a fawn please reach out to your local conservation officer or a local wildlife rehabilitation facility such as the Wildlife Medical Clinic.
Written By: Riley, Junior Manager and Class of 2027
Have you ever been walking along on a sunny day in the spring, going to visit your family, perhaps, when suddenly, you find yourself ankle deep in cement? Or quicksand? Maybe molasses? If you answered “yes” to any of these scenarios, then you will be able to empathize very well with what animals experience when they encounter a glue trap.
The Reality of Glue Traps
Glue traps are used to prevent animals such as rodents from entering unwanted areas. That is how they are advertised, at least. The reality behind glue traps is far from that simple, however. Glue traps are one of the most inhumane methods of pest control that currently exists, despite being commonly used. They frequently catch more than just rodents; any type of animal can get stuck in one, such as birds, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and even cats if they’re small enough. Just this year, the Wildlife Medical Clinic received several animals stuck to glue traps. Most recently, it was two Common Garter snakes, and they were stuck on the same trap. Thankfully these snakes were brought to us before they experienced any significant state of decline and were eventually released, but many animals are not so lucky.
Most animals that are caught by these traps do not have a quick painless death. They can be trapped for several hours to several days before succumbing to dehydration, starvation, exhaustion, and exposure to the elements. If they are lucky enough to be rescued, many still have lengthy stays at rehabilitation centers due to injuries from trying to free themselves and may need time for feathers and fur to grow back and damaged scales to heal. Thankfully though, there are several effective and humane alternatives!
How we can Help
Here, we can see how wildlife creatures get completely stuck to glue traps.
The best way to keep unwanted wildlife guests out of your home is to ensure that it’s locked up tight and is very uninviting (think, opposite of Goldilocks and the Three Bears). That means storing food in air tight, sealed containers, as well as making sure any cracks or holes leading in are sealed up, especially during the change of seasons. This applies beyond just mice and rats as well; this will ensure you do not have any LARGER guests, such as squirrels or even raccoons, finding your house just a little too inviting.
If you do ever have some unwanted visitors in your home, though, there are solutions to help them find their way out that avoid things like glue traps, or even having to use lethal force most of the time. Different scents, bright lights, and loud music are a few of the options. Basically, make your house unhospitable to your unwanted guests. Strong scents like peppermint will deter them from an area, so applying a few drops on some cotton balls and leaving them at potential entry points around your home (and out of reach of pets and small children!) is a great alternative. Snap traps are another way that you can prevent your home from becoming the new hotspot on the block for wildlife. Other methods such as rodenticides and moth balls are not recommended; rodenticides cause devastating damage to wildlife populations through the food web. Rodents ingest the toxin directly, then carnivores such as raptors, coyotes, foxes, and more, ingest the poison indirectly after they consume what they think is an easy meal, aka, the carcass of a rodent who ate rodenticide. Moth balls are carcinogenic and should not be left out for anyone to be exposed to, humans included!
So, this spring, in the spirit of new life and warmer weather, opt out of the old methods of keeping furry friends out of your house. This is one of the single instances in life where you are ENCOURAGED to be a bad neighbor (play loud music, keep bright lights on, have noxious smells around your home) in order to keep yourself, your family, and also wildlife, safe and free, especially from glue. Happy Spring!
This article was written by third year student Macy (class of 2025)
I have wanted to volunteer with the Wildlife Medical Clinic (WMC) since being accepted into the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. My goal is to become a zoo veterinarian, and volunteering in the WMC is the perfect opportunity to work with some of the species I might see throughout my career working with exotic animals, or at minimum I will see scenarios and cases that can be applied to others in which I will be involved in the future. I signed up right away with a lot of aspirations for what I could learn from the other students, faculty, and residents at the clinic. I started out semi-confident in my clinical skills as I had some small animal medical experience. I also have a zoology background with husbandry (daily care and needs) knowledge of the animals we might potentially see in the clinic. I was excited to finally combine the two experiences by volunteering in the WMC!
As I worked with the team and learned the ropes, I was able to work on two interesting cases before winter break that taught me a lot about the medical process of rehabilitation and what goes into a successful release. I was the secondary on those cases or the number two in who was making decisions, and I was very grateful that the primary on both cases was such a great mentor as I learned a lot from them.
During winter break I volunteered to come back to school early and help in the clinic for a little under two weeks before classes resumed. While I was working in the clinic, we had a crow that was in our care. I was made primary on the case, which meant I was the first person to be contacted if something was going on or someone had questions and I was the main person who would guide medical decisions. I was very excited for the opportunity and challenge but also terrified that I wasn’t ready. Luckily, the secondary on the case was a third-year veterinary student and team leader that I had previously worked with, so I was excited and relieved to have their expertise and experiences to help with this case.
This was taken post surgery and the white bar you see is the external fixator.
The crow came into the clinic in late December with a broken right humerus (a major bone in the wing). We were able to perform surgery to repair the break, which involved placing pins to hold the bone in correct alignment while it was healing. We put one inside the bone across the two fragments and then we had some on the outside of the wing to help stabilize everything. While the crow had his pins in his wing and the bone was healing, he couldn’t move it as well as he normally could. Therefore, we performed passive range of motion or physical therapy for the crow three times a week. This also allowed us to gauge his progress in healing. As the weeks went on, he was able to stretch his wing more and more, and eventually his bone was healed enough to remove the pins. We took new x-rays and confirmed that the bone had healed adequately, and we could start removing some of the pins.
First, we cut the connection between the pin inside his bone and the pins outside his bone. A few days later we were again performing his physical therapy but noticed that he had pulled out the pin that was inside his bone, all on his own. We once again took x-rays and confirmed that the bone was healed, and then proceeded with removing the rest of the pins. Crows are extremely smart and like shiny objects, so we think he noticed that the pin inside his bone was no longer attached to the external ones and was clever enough to pull it out on his own. Once all the pins were removed, we allowed our patient to continue to cage rest in a small space.
The patient getting radiographs taken.
One week later, just before we hoped to transfer our patient to a wildlife rehabilitator for some time in a flight cage, we noticed bruises present over his right wing. Radiographs confirmed that he had rebroken his wing and in the exact same spot that had just healed! We are not sure exactly how he re-fractured the wing, but he was quite active in his enclosure, and may have hit it firmly against the walls of the cage. We again took this patient to surgery to place a slightly different type of external skeletal fixator. We moved him to a new enclosure in his own room and made sure everything was as soft and padded as possible and began the healing process again.
We increased the amount of enrichment provided to the crow by means of food puzzles and various toys to try to keep him busy and occupied so his wing could heal. As I mentioned before, crows are very intelligent animals and when we are caring for them it is part of our job to make sure they are using their brains and are mentally stimulated. We have some great puzzles that we hide their food in, various objects such as bells and mirrors that we had in this crow’s enclosure for the duration of his stay, and a variety of food to keep his diet interesting.
We fed this crow a mix of dry and soaked dog and cat food, wet dog food, rolled oats, cracked corn, berries, hard-boiled eggs, and variously sized mice. We also did our best to be as hands-off as possible and handle the patient only when absolutely necessary, which greatly helps to reduce stress while they are in our care. Following the second surgery, we began to restart physical therapy. On his first physical therapy session we found fresh bruising yet again. This once again led to further x-rays, which showed he had broken the same bone in a new location.
Roxanne with past manager Bri and new manager Riley doing an exam on the crow.
The new fracture was closer to his elbow than the original fracture. At this point, it was the crow’s second fracture of the bone in our care and the third fracture of that same bone within two months. After much discussion, we made the hard decision to humanely euthanize him based on the severity of the newest fracture and its proximity to the elbow. With all the injuries, we couldn’t guarantee that the crow would regain range of motion in that wing and been able to fly comfortably once released. We were also worried there might have been a nutritional or metabolic abnormality that led to repeat fractures.
We did the best that we could for the crow while in our care, and unfortunately, while it was not the outcome we hoped for, it was the right decision and the most humane option for this patient. Although this case did not have a positive outcome, I was still appreciative of the learning opportunities it provided. Upon reflection on this case, I recognize how much I have grown as a veterinary student. I was able to work very closely with the faculty, residents, and the managers throughout the process. I was able to build relationships with all these amazing people who are involved in the clinic by working on this complicated case with them. My team lead/secondary was there to help answer my millions of questions and really increased my confidence level. The faculty were a great support system for the harder questions we had while working with this crow and were there to help us every step of the way.
Without the mentorship of my team leader and the faculty in the clinic, I would not have learned as much as I did, and I’m extremely grateful to them for helping me. Working on this case allowed me to learn about avian orthopedics, the process of dynamic destabilization (taking the pins out in stages), case management, and treatment decisions which I will be using throughout other cases during the rest of my career. I enjoyed being that first point of contact to always be up to date and involved in the case. It was very intimidating to shift my thinking of myself from a student to a veterinarian. Making that shift mentally allowed me to think more about the medical decisions we were making, and I felt that I was very involved and integrated into the case.
When I think about my experiences in the Wildlife Medical Clinic so far this year, it all centers on increasing my clinical skills and confidence, and this case was instrumental in that. I am very lucky that I’m already hands-on with the entire medical process as a first-year veterinary student, and I can’t wait to see how much more I learn, grow, and gain from working with all the amazing other students, faculty, residents, and animals that we interact with at the wildlife medical clinic.
Our wonderful student managers have one of the most important roles in the Wildlife Medical Clinic (WMC). They are the eyes on the floor that keep track of every single patient that comes through the clinic while balancing all the minute details to ensure the clinic continues to run smoothly. In addition to that, they also provide immense support to our student volunteers and do their best to make sure that each student gets the most out of every case and continues to learn and grow during their time in the clinic. This March, we will be sending off our amazing senior manager, Bri Huff, as she heads to clinical rotations. Bri is a very dedicated, compassionate, and hard-working student. She always makes sure every student in the clinic is getting the opportunity that they deserve and never hesitates to share her knowledge and skills. We interviewed Bri and asked her what her plans are after graduation and for a few thoughts on her time as a manager in the Wildlife Medical Clinic.
What is the next step for you after clinical rotations? After graduating, I hope to pursue an internship and residency through the veterinary match program, with the ultimate goal to become board-certified in zoo medicine. I plan to continue to remain involved with wildlife rehabilitation medicine after graduation and beyond!
What is one (or a few) of your best memories from the Wildlife Clinic? There have been so many moments during my time in the WMC that I now look back on as fond memories. Though it is terribly difficult to highlight just a few, I think one of my favorites was participating in an FHO procedure for a beaver kit that presented to us over my last summer as manager. While part of my attachment to this memory stems from the patient being one of my favorite species, it was also an incredible experience to see several of our specialty departments within the hospital come together to perform the procedure on such a unique patient. Additionally, a very recent favorite memory was having the opportunity to present at this year’s National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association conference. It was so rewarding to be able to share knowledge with wildlife rehabilitators from around the country, and each and every individual that I encountered at the conference was so welcoming! The wildlife rehabilitator community is flourishing with support, passion, and a desire to improve wildlife medicine, and I am so grateful to have been involved in the conference as a veterinary student.
Bri doing an ophthalmic exam on a turtle!
What is something you learned during your time as the clinic manager/volunteer? The WMC has taught me so much more than I had anticipated since I first set foot into the clinic. Not only have I gained such valuable knowledge about wildlife medicine, but I have also learned a great amount about myself, veterinary medicine as a whole, fostering collaboration, and building a community. I have learned and witnessed the incredible impact of kindness and compassion. I have recognized the importance of sharing knowledge and leaning on others for support. I have seen the influence an individual can have, starting with just the simple desire to learn. But most importantly, I have learned the importance of adaptability: a necessity in order to foster an environment in which humans and animals in need of healing can flourish.
Anything you would like to share with our readers? Firstly, I would like to acknowledge those that have shared this journey with me, and made my experience as a manager one that has left a profoundly positive impact on me. Dr. Sam Sander, Dr. Stephany Lewis, my co-manager Tyson Jenkins, Sydney Oliveira, our student volunteers, ZooMed faculty/staff/house officers, our south clinic receptionists, our local wildlife rehabilitators, and so many more: thank you for all you have taught me – I will be forever thankful for the relationships that we have built throughout my time within the clinic. And to our readers – whether you have supported me along my journey, support a student within our clinic, or support the clinic as a member of our community – thank you! Your support for the individuals and patients within our clinic makes what we do not only possible, but also so very rewarding. YOU have also made this journey one to remember!
We had also reached out to our faculty and colleagues who worked closely with Bri for a short post of appreciation that we would like to share with Bri! Since my first day in WMC, I was struck by your maturity and leadership. I truly do not know how I would have functioned these past months without you, and I will forever be grateful for your guidance and your ability to accept my transition into this new role with such grace. You are a smart, strong, compassionate, and capable veterinarian and person. I hope you will treasure your time in the WMC and know that you have left a lasting positive impact. I will forever be proud to call you my student, colleague, and friend, and I am so excited to watch you grow as a veterinarian. There is not a doubt in my mind that you will accomplish everything you set out to do, and more. – Stephany Lewis, DVM, CWR, DABVP (Avian Practice)
It has been such an honor to work with you over the past two years and watch you blossom into a confident, passionate, and talented veterinarian. Your empathy for your patients knows no bounds and is an inspiration to us all. Your dedication and commitment not only to wildlife, but also to the students of the Wildlife Medical Clinic, is evident to everyone who steps inside. I am so fortunate to call you not just a colleague, but also a dear friend, and can’t wait to share so many new experiences with you as we head off to clinics. I am beyond excited to see where the future takes you. – Haley Kenyon, Class of 2025
Bri blow drying a bobcat with third year Haley
There are countless words to describe Bri’s legacy as the Wildlife Medical Clinic Manager. Courageous, compassionate, dedicated, humanitarian, nurturing…the list can go on. Bri Huff will probably be one of the most incredible managers that the Wildlife Medical Clinic ceases to have. She is not only an incredible leader, but a kind-hearted soul to countless volunteers who have devoted an enormous amount of time to the clinic. Bri will be a spectacular doctor. The love and effort that goes towards every admitted patient that has come through that clinic door will never go unseen. Bri’s heart fills up every room that she walks into. From triaging debilitated raptors to making a waterproof sling for a non-ambulatory Canada goose to engineering extraordinary enclosures for our patients. It is abundantly clear that Bri is always thinking about the well-being and welfare of our patients. She is always thinking about how to make their time spent in the clinic less stressful and as comfortable as possible. Thank you, Bri, for making a difference to our patients and the students. You have been an incredible mentor, supporter, and educator to many. We will always be super appreciative of your devotion to this magical place that we know as the Wildlife Medical Clinic. We can’t wait to see where you go because every person and animal that you encounter on that journey will be so lucky to experience the care that you will provide. I can’t wait to see how Bri Huff continues to change the world! – Hassan Hanna, Class of 2025
Bri, when I decided to apply for the manager position, I truly had no idea what I was getting myself into. The scope of this position, the level of responsibility required, and the skills needed all greatly exceeded what I was capable of at the time I was chosen. Yet, somehow, you saw the potential in me, and I will forever be grateful for that fact. You have been an incredibly kind and patient mentor, teacher, and friend, and I would not be where I am today without you. I am beyond appreciative for everything you have given me, and I hope that I was able to help you achieve your goals as well. I know with absolute certainty that you will make an incredible doctor. I don’t know that I’m ready to be senior manager (I don’t think you can ever be fully ready for a position like this) but I hope I can carry on your legacy and mold the clinic into everything we know it can be. This next year won’t be the same without you by my side, but I am so excited to see where you go and what amazing things you will do. Good luck in clinics, and, once again, thank you! – Tyson Jenkins, CWR, Class of 2026
Thank you, Bri, for all your contributions to the Wildlife Medical Clinic! We wish you the best of luck on your soon-to-embark journey. And we will all miss you dearly at the Wildlife Medical Clinic!
At the Wildlife Medical Clinic, students are the doctors. Under the guidance of our faculty and staff, students learn to formulate treatment plans, work up procedure details, and be closely involved with their patients’ day-to-day care. However, what is often critical in these decision-making steps is the support from their team leaders and senior classmates. Peer mentoring is one of the foundations of the student learning experience in the wildlife clinic. Senior students on the team are often the first point of support when their teammates seek advice on their patients.
They provide insight and guidance through their own experiences and are excellent mentors for our newer volunteers. Now that spring break has ended, the third quarter has officially closed, and third-year students have received their white coats. The third-year veterinary students will begin their clinical rotations for their final year of vet school. Words cannot describe how excited we are for their upcoming journey and while we are sad to see them leaving the clinic, we wish them the best in their future endeavors. Below, we would like to share some of the numerous quotes and well wishes given to our third-year student volunteers by our first and second-year student volunteers.
This image shows our past senior manager, two volunteers and a house officer preforming an exam on a wildlife animal.
Christina, after being on a team with you for the last three years, I am so glad we were able to be team leaders together! You are an amazing teacher and always lighten the mood during the hardest days. Your jokes and ability to hold the team together have made you a valuable member of AMCO! We know you’ll be doing the same on clinics and we hope you have a great time!! Good luck Christina!! – Jacob, Class of 2026
Third-year veterinary student Grace assisting with a surgery!
Jess, thank you so much for being a ray of light in the clinic! You have been a gem on the team. You have taught me so much, and really believed in me as a team lead. We will miss you on MAMO! I’m glad you got your WMC bucket list item checked off and finally got to hold an eagle – Maya, Class of 2026
Reagan, you have been such a wonderful team lead, teacher, and friend. You have become an amazing person to go to for knowledge, support, and advice for both in the clinic and just life in general. I have loved being able to work with you. – Riley, Class of 2027
Theo, I feel SO lucky to have had you as a team lead last year and a co-team lead this year! You have added so much to my learning and experiences not only in the WMC but in vet school as a whole. Thank you for your constant patience, kindness and support and for being a wonderful example of a team member and a leader! You will be missed, but I cannot wait to see what amazing things you will continue to do in clinics and the future! – Sofia, Class of 2026
Third year Marisa doing a surgical procedure on a avian species.
Macy, It has been so amazing to learn from you over the past 2 years. You have been such an amazing mentor to me, for both wildlife things and for how to be a leader. I have always loved the chaotic energy and sense of humor you brought to the clinic. It always made working shifts with you so enjoyable. Good luck in clinics! I know you’ll be amazing! – Angela, Class of 2026
Abbie, I have loved getting to work alongside you during my time in the WMC. You were always eager to help me and provide encouragement for things in and outside of the WMC. Not only are you confident in your knowledge, but you are also an excellent teacher that has taught me most of what I know in the clinic. I have no doubt that you will be an outstanding clinician and that you are going to do amazing in your clinicals!! – Rachel, Class of 2027
