Conference Booklet - New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council

Welcome to 

NYSWRC’s 33 rd Annual Seminar! 

Land Among Your Colleagues at NYSWRC 

Byblos Niagara Resort and Spa 

Grand Island, NY 

October 25-27, 2013

2 

New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, Inc. 

33 nd NYSWRC Annual Conference, 2013 

Directory: 

Course Schedule p. 3-6 

Conference Information p. 7 

Program Abstracts p. 8-15 

Speaker Biographies p. 16-21 

Annual Meeting Reports & Elections p. 22 

Veterinarian of the Year p. 23 

NYSWRC Board of Directors 

Kelly Martin, President - kmartink@midtel.net 

Barb Hollands, Vice Pres. - barbh103@rochester.rr.com 

Cheryl Hoople, Secretary - hooplec@juno.com 

Amy Freiman, Treasurer & Release - nisseq@aol.com 

Jean Alden, Membership - jalden4@verizon.net 

Lainie Angel - berneck2000@gmail.com 

Maggie Ciarcia - maggie119mae@yahoo.com 

Barb Cole - brancher@clarityconnect.com 

Virginia Frati - wrwrch@aol.com 

Sue Heighling - sheighling@verizon.net 

Beverly Jones - bjonesnature@yahoo.com 

Ellen Kalish - ravensbeard@gmail.com 

Terri Lee Murphy - wtaoffice@aol.com 

Veronica Serwacki - serwacki@canisius.edu 

Matthew Zymanek - mjzymanek1@aol.com 

Webmaster: Molly Gallagher - silverlair@verizon.net 

NYSWRC Welcomes You! 

Thank you for joining us for our 33nd Annual 

Conference. Just as rehabilitators are elated to return an 

animal to the wild, we are pleased to see our members 

arriving to enjoy an excellent training opportunity. This is 

your time to grow together in a professionally stimulating 

atmosphere. The NYSWRC board and conference 

committee have worked diligently to bring you another 

exceptional event. Enjoy the weekend. 

Steven Freiman, Conference Chair 

Veterinarians/Veterinary Technicians - NYSWRC is 

approved as a NYSED sponsor of continuing education. 

All lectures are eligible for credit with the exception of 

the Opening Session. 

(Saturday Evening) 

NYSWRC Raffle & Silent Auction, 

Halloween Costume Parade, 

NYSWRC Annual Meeting, 

Vet of the Year Award , 

NYSWRC Board Meeting after Festivities (open to 

Members of NYSWRC)

CONFERENCE 2013 SCHEDULE—FRIDAY Sessions 

*Specialty Sessions/Workshops & Labs: *Pre-registration and fee required 

All other lectures are open to everyone 

3 

AM Senate B Senate A Regency Settlement 

8:00 *RVS (8:00-5:30) 

Barbara Hollands, 

9:00 Jen Lewis & 

NYSDEC, Health, 

And Ag & Markets 

Dr. James Gray 

Robert Rudd 

Paul Stringer 

*Animal Basic Care 

(day long) 

Lecture 

(9:00-10:30) 

Kelly Martin, 

Beverly Jones, 

Wise Owls, Sly Foxes & 

Cheery Chickadees 

Sharon Burke 

(9:00-10:00) 

*Wound 

Management (Lab) 

Dr. Erica Miller, 

Diane Nickerson 

(9:00-11:00) 

10:15 *RVS Barbara Cole, 

Jean Alden, 

The Application 

of Behavior 

Modification in a Rehab 

Setting 

Jaclynn Kozlowski 

(10:15-12:00) 

10:45 *RVS *Animal Basic 

Care 

Basic Turtle Care 

Dr. Jeff Baier 

12:00-1:00 LUNCH in the Grand Ballroom 

PM Senate B Senate A Regency Settlement 

1:00 *RVS 

(1:00-3:00) 

Rehabilitation and Release 

of 

Whitetail Fawns 

Patrice Ferguson 

(1:00-2:00) 

Recovery of a Species: 

Thousands of Terns and a 

Plethora of Peregrines 

Connie Adams 

(1:00-2:00) 

*Animal Basic 

Care (Lab) 

Intro to Medical 

Math 

(1:00-1:45) 

2:00 *RVS Adult Deer 

Rehabilitation 

Dr. Bethany Rottner 

(2:00-3:15) 

Acupuncture, Alternative 

and Complementary 

Treatment 

Dr. Nicole Abramo 

(2:00-3:15) 

*ABC (Lab) 

Restraint and 

Handling, Physical Exam, 

Injection Sites 

(1:45-3:15) 

3:15-3:30 BREAK (RVS BREAK FROM 3:00-3:30) 


3:30 *RVS 

(3:30-5:30) 

Rehab of Orphan Fawns 

Dr. Karen Dashfield 

(3:30-5:30) 

Zoonotic Disease 

Concerns 

Dr. Stephanie West 

(3:30-4:30) 

*ABC (Lab) 

Fluid Administration, 

Wraps and Bandaging 

(3:30-5:00) 

4:40 *RVS Developing a Good 

Relationship With 

Your Veterinarian 


Heidi Bucknam 

6:00-6:30 Cocktails/Chinese Auction 6:30-7:15 Dinner/Chinese Auction 

7:15-8:15 Wildlife Rehabilitation Ethics Forum (3 Topics 20 –30 minutes each) Maggie Ciarcia; Frank Belloni 

8:15—Facilities Tour (20 minutes each) Raptor Trust (Ben Montgomery); NY Wildlife Rescue Center (Wes Laraway); 

Messinger Woods (Marianne Hites, Veronica Serwacki); Hawk Creek (Matt Zymanek)

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CONFERENCE 2013 SCHEDULE—SATURDAY Sessions 

*Specialty Sessions/Workshops & Labs: *Pre-registration and fee required 

All other lectures are open to everyone 

7:00-8:00 Breakfast in the Grand Ballroom 

8:00—9:00 Regency - NYSWRC Welcome; Keynote “The Social Cognitive Nature of Killer Whales 

and Their Future in Captivity: Candidates for Future Reintroduction Projects—Dr. Michael Noonan 

(Note: Not eligible for continuing education) 

AM Senate B Senate A Regency Settlement 

9:15 Interesting Avian 

Cases 


Hard to Handle: 

Porcupine 


Jennifer Lewis 

Snake Rehabilitation 

Kathy Michell 

*Turtle Shell 

Repair (Lab) 


Dr. Karen Moran 

(9:30-11:30) 

10:15 Field Rescues: 

Capturing Raptors 

In Warehouses and 

Other Enclosures 

Ben Montgomery 

(10:30-11:45) 

Vaccination 

Protocols for 

Wildlife Rehab 


Triaging the 

Wild Patient 

Dr. Renee Schott 

(10:30-12:00) 

11:45-12:45 LUNCH in the Grand Ballroom 


12:45 Avian Critical and 

Supportive Care 

Dr. James Carpenter 

Basic Neonate 

Mammal Care 

Chris Clark 

Fluid Therapy 

Lecture 

(Prerequisite to Lab) 


*Avian Splinting 



(1:00-3:00) 

2:00 What’s on that Bird and 

How do I Get it off? 

Dr. Erica Miller 

Squirrel Care 

Chris Clark 

Eating on the Fly! 

Basics of Raising 

Aerial Insectivores 

Sharon Burke 

3:00—3:30 BREAK in vendor area 


3:30 Diseases and 

Medicine of Birds of 

Prey 


Waders: Long-Legged, 

Long-Billed, Long- 

Necked Birds 


How to Feed Your 

Food 

Dr. Evan Reed 

*Fluid Therapy(Lab) 



(3:30-5:30) 

4:30 West Nile Virus 


(4:45-5:45) 

Keep Calm & Carrion: 

Vulture 


Sharon Burke 


Things You May Not Know 

About Baytril, Tramadol, 

Metacam and Other Meds 

Dr. Laura Wade 

(4:45-5:45) 

6:00 Cocktails, raffle sales, silent auction 

6:45 Dinner/Halloween Costume Parade/Auction 

7:30 NYSWRC Annual Meeting; “Vet of the Year” Award 

8:00 Raffle

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CONFERENCE 2013 SCHEDULE—SUNDAY Sessions 

*Specialty SessionWorkshops & Labs: *Pre-registration and fee required 

7:30-8:30 Breakfast in the Grand Ballroom 

All other lectures are open to 

everyone 

AM Senate B Senate A Settlement Niagara Regency 

8:00 *Session 

for 

Veterinarians 

Only 

(8:00-5:30) 

8:30 Micro Rehab: 

Short Lecture & Lab 

on Bat Rehab 


(8:30-10:30) 

See next page for 

schedule 

9:00 Fox & Coyote 


Maggie Ciarcia 

(9:00-10:00) 

10:00 Rehabbing Songbirds 

For the Seriously 

Insane 

Barb Cole 

(10:15-12:15) 

Maximizing Education 

Programs Through Non- 

Releasable and Captive 

Bred Birds 


(9:00-9:50) 

Wildlife Caging 

Solutions 


(10:00-11:30) 

*NYS DEC 

EXAM 

10:45 Raccoon 


Barb Hollands 

(10:45-11:45) 

11:30 Barn Owl Propagation 

Matt Zymanek 

(11:30-12:20) 

11:45 Skunk 


Barb Hollands 

(11:45-12:30) 

Session handouts are 

available to download 

(log in as: guest 

password: nyswrc2013) 

at: www.nyswrc.org 

12:30 Lunch on your own. We’re done with lectures for this year. 

See you next year in Lake George for the 34rd Conference. 

1:00 - 3:00 Field Trip to Hawk Creek 

(for directions, see the Program Description on Page 14.

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CONFERENCE 2013 SCHEDULE—SUNDAY Sessions 

*Specialty Session For Veterinarians Only 

Pre-registration and fee required 

Meeting Room: Regency 

AM 

8:00-8:30 Registration 

*Veterinarian Session for Veterinarians Only 

Abstracts on Page 15 

8:30-9:00 New York Wildlife Health Program 

Dr. Elizabeth Bunting/Patrick Martin 

9:00-10:30 There’s a WHAT in the Waiting Room!?: Practical Guidance for Safely Stabilizing and 

Holding the Wildlife That May Wander Into Your Office With Your Clients 


10:30-10:45 Break 

10:45-11:45 Antibiotic and Analgesic Therapy in Small Mammals 


11:45-12:15 How to Maximize Your Clinic for the Care of Wildlife 


12:15-1:15 Lunch 

1:15-2:15 Lead Toxicity in Raptors 


2:15-3:15 Triaging Head Trauma 


3:15-3:30 Break 

3:30-4:30 Case Study: Surgical Repair of a Degloved Scalp in a Red-Tailed Hawk 


Dr. Evan Reed 

4:30-5:30 Common Diseases and Injuries of North American Songbirds 

Dr. Erica Miller

2013 NYWRC Conference Information 

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Registration: 

Stop by the NYSWRC Registration table to pick up your packets, check on workshop availability, post a message to 

other conference participants, or purchase raffle tickets. It’s also a handy location to find someone to answer your 

questions or to drop off a donation to the raffle & auction and your evaluation. 

Name Tags: Please wear your name tag to all scheduled activities. It designates you as a conference attendee and 

enhances communication among attendees. 

Meal & Meal Ticket Information: Meals must have been pre-purchased at the time you registered. All guests may 

attend the annual meeting and evening entertainment after dinner has been cleared. 

Coffee Breaks: Thanks to NYSWRC, and our sponsors Messinger Woods Wildlife Care and Education Center and 

the Wildlife Rescue Center of the Hamptons for providing refreshments. 

Cell Phones: Please turn your cell phone off during all lectures. 

Exhibitors & Vendors: You will find exhibitors who will be selling or advertising their products. Be sure to take some 

time to see what’s new. Some vendors are speakers as well, so be patient if no one’s home when you visit their booth. 

Raffles and Auction: Be sure to join us for fun and games during the raffle and auction on Saturday evening. Cash, 

checks, Master Card and Visa are accepted. 

Thanks to our donors for the raffle and auction: 

Thank you Matt Zymanek, Robin Dziura and Sally LaBuda! Matt writes to tons of vendors requesting donations, then 

he, Robin and Sally pick up, haul, sort and give away. Thanks to all the many members, organizations, and conference 

participants who remembered to bring an item or two to donate. Your donations work to keep costs down for next year. 

We appreciate: All the veterinarians and speakers who donate their time to help us improve our skills. We thank the 

folks who volunteered to serve as room moderators to assist the speakers. 

Artistic Talent: Thank you! 

This year, John Earl and Cindy Page donated artwork for our use. Thanks to Amy Freiman and Ginnie Frati for program 

layout and production. Thanks also to the many photographers who donated their works for our raffle and auction. All 

this help is greatly appreciated. 

Special thanks to all our volunteers who worked so hard to make this event happen. This conference is truly a team 

effort and takes many hands and many hours. We appreciate all the veterinarians and speakers who donate their time to 

help us improve our skills. Special thanks to our AV tech specialists John Frink and Doug Murray! 

Scholarships: Many people benefitted from the generosity of our donors this year. It pays to be a member! 

Evaluation Forms: Please, do your part to let us know what you like, dislike, love or hate about our conference. These 

evaluations are a special tool that allows the Council to meet your needs and plan for next year. Be sure to drop off your 

completed evaluation forms at the registration desk. Help us continue to improve the annual seminar. We do read each 

and every form. 

Annual Business Meeting: NYSWRC members are encouraged to attend our organization’s annual business meeting 

on Saturday evening following dinner. This is the opportunity for you to share your thoughts with the Board of 

Directors and to participate by voting in the election of the board members. Volunteers welcome. 

Renew your membership annually. 

There’s strength in numbers. Join a committee; become a part of your organization.

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PROGRAM ABSTRACTS/DESCRIPTION 

Presented in the order in which they appear in the program. 

Note: Some workshops are limited in attendance and required pre-registration. 

Limited workshops are denoted by an * before the title 

FRIDAY 

*Rabies Vector Species Course: 8:00-5:30 

(MUST attend the full 8 hours in order to be 

certified to handle RVS and apply for the RVS 

license. Your attendance will be monitored 

throughout the day. An attendance letter will be 

issued.) 

Speakers: NYSDEC: Paul Stringer, Patrick Martin; 

NYSDOH: Robert Rudd; NYSDAM: Dr. James 

Gray; NYSWRC: Barbara Hollands; Bat World: 


This eight hour training course meets the mandatory 

lecture that will allow a New York licensed wildlife 

rehabilitator to gain authority to care for designated 

rabies vector species (bat, raccoon, skunk). 

*NYS DEC Program Overview for Rabies Vector 

Species Licensing This presentation will provide an 

overview of the process and forms required by the 

New York State Department of Environ-mental 

Conservation in applying for the authority to 

rehabilitate rabies vector species in New York. 

*NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets Facility 

Inspection Process, Dr. James Gray 

*NYS Department of Health: Rabies Epidemiology, 

Pathobiology and Human Vaccination, Dr. Robert 

Rudd 

*Equipment & Handling Techniques for RVS A 

review of capture and handling gear used for rabies 

vector species will be covered, including how to 

purchase, how to care for and maintain the 

equipment, and how to use the gear safely and 

humanely. 

*Animal Basic Care Course 9:00-5:00 

Speakers: Bev Jones, Jean Alden, Barb Cole, Kelly 

Martin, NYSDEC 

This workshop features lecture and hands-on 

components to help newly licensed wildlife 

rehabilitators or individuals interested in becoming 

licensed. It is designed as a beginner‘s level course. 

The morning lecture session includes: licensing 

procedures, phone call protocols, networking, 

veterinary assistance, general care considerations, 

available resources, zoonotic concerns, and triage 

and euthanasia considerations with ample 

opportunity throughout for individual questions to be 

addressed. 

The hands-on session will include skill demonstrations 

with the opportunity for each participant to practice 

techniques on animal carcasses. These will include: 

performing a physical exam, handling and restraint, 

bandaging, tube-feeding, administering medications, and 

basic fluid administration. (Note: the morning lecture session 

is not available for continuing education credit.) 

Wise Owls, Sly Foxes & Cheery Chickadees 

Sharon Burke 

This promises to be a light-hearted but 

frank discussion of the phenomenon of 

anthropomorphism, touching on the 

origins of the word, why we do it, and 

the risks AND benefits associated with 

allowing it to sneak its way into 

wildlife rehabilitation. This 

presentation will address some of the 

common misperceptions that can 

occur when we think of our furry and 

feathered friends as tiny humans, and more importantly, 

will seek to dispel those misperceptions using solid 

knowledge of natural history & anatomy/physiology. 

Having this knowledge and doing the necessary research is 

crucial to knowing where to draw the line when 

anthropomorphizing wild animals. 

Wound Management (Lab) 

Dr. Erica Miller, Diane Nickerson 

This workshop gives participants the opportunity to 

practice evaluating and treating various wounds on both 

mammalian and avian carcasses. Participants will locate 

and classify existing wounds and then try cleaning, 

debridement, topical treatments, different bandages and 

bandaging techniques, and wound closure. Focus will be 

on initial wound treatment, with discussion of on-going 

wound care. 

The Application of Behavior Modification in a 

Rehabilitation Setting 


Behavioral actions occur hundreds of times over the 

course of a day in an animal's life. These actions or 

changes are triggered by either active or passive 

antecedents, which consequently contribute to the 

animal's benefit or detriment. As effective rehabilitators 

we have the option to influence their behaviors towards 

positive outcome favoring the use of positive 

reinforcement. This presentation will explore creative 

Continued on Page 9





9 

procedures utilizing behavioral change to decreasing 

stress and injuries while increasing emotional stability, 

physical conditioning, and over all quality of life of the 

temporary avian patients in our care. 

Rehabilitation and Release of Whitetail Fawns 


What will be presented is just one 

way to rehabilitate fawns. 

Everyone’s situation is different but 

I wanted to share the basics that I 

have learned through the tireless 

support of other experienced 

rehabilitators, veterinarians and “on 

the job” experience. As a licensed 

wildlife rehabilitator you may find 

yourself in a situation where a fawn is in desperate 

need of your help. Be warned, once you have let one 

of these helpless creatures in it will steal your heart. 

Even the most die hard opossum queen will loose her 

heart to the fawn. 

It is our job to make sure we are doing what is right for 

the deer. We will start with how you handle receiving 

your first phone call. It is important to understand the 

basics of natural deer behavior. You may receive many 

calls from well meaning people who want you to save 

an abandoned fawn. It is important to know and 

explain to the public that fawns are born with a natural 

defense mechanism. When they are first born they 

have the ability to lay perfectly still and quiet, they will 

go limp in your arms. This allows the fawn to be safe 

from predators. The mother does not stay with her 

fawn because she does not want to alert predators to 

her baby’s location. She comes back to her fawn 

throughout the day and night when it appears safe. She 

feeds and thoroughly cleans the fawn to erase any scent 

she may have. Instinctively the fawn knows that when 

mom leaves it must stay very still and silent in the 

location mom left it. The discussion will take us from 

the initial contact with the public to the final release of 

a healthy, well adjusted deer. 

Recovery of a Species: Thousands of Terns and 

a Plethora of Peregrines 

Connie Adams 

When do we say when? What determines when a 

threatened species is no longer threatened? In this 

presentation we will examine the recovery of two species 

of concern, the Common Tern, which is NYS listed as 

Threatened, and the Peregrine Falcon, which is NYS listed 

as Endangered. Both species have required the dedication 

of a significant amount of resources with regard to 

equipment, finances, and personnel, in order to maintain 

healthy population levels. The population strategies of an 

apex colonial waterbird with that of an apex avian predator 

will be compared and contrasted. Additionally, factors that 

led to the decline of both species and those that contributed 

to their remarkable recovery will be examined. 

Adult Deer Rehabilitation 


Interested in learning about the 

rehabilitation of adult white-tailed deer, 

but are too intimidated to try? Learn the 

basics of how to safely approach deer 

rescue and rehabilitation. This session 

will cover ways to prepare for the 

challenges of working with a large and 

potentially dangerous animal. Basic 

anatomy and physiology, necessary equipment, and 

common injuries and illnesses will be covered, as well as 

important considerations in medications used in the 

treatment of white-tailed deer. 

Acupuncture as an Alternative and 

Complementary Treatment in Wildlife 

Dr. Nicole Abramo 

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to treat 

many diseases in humans and animals. The first 

acupuncture needle dates back 8000 years. See how this 

therapy can be used in treating injury and illness in 

wildlife. There will be a summary of Traditional Chinese 

Veterinary Medicine as well as a demonstration on a live 

patient. 

Rehabilitation of Orphaned Fawns 


Lessons learned from the yearly rehabilitation of over 90 

fawns presented to Antler Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary 

including the use of data and techniques being used by the 

deer farming industry. Topics will include treatment of 

illness and injury, preventative medicine, formula, feed and 

browsing options, and how current disease concerns may 

affect our ability to rehabilitate these animals.

10 





Zoonotic Disease Concerns for the Wildlife 

Rehabilitator 

Dr. Stephanie West 

The wildlife rehabilitator is at high risk for exposure to 

diseases which can travel between animals and humans 

(zoonotic diseases), many of which have severe or even 

fatal consequences. This lecture will provide an 

overview of the process of zoonotic disease transmission 

including precautions to be taken to avoid spread of 

disease. Key zoonotic diseases and concerns in local 

wildlife species will be addressed. 

Developing a Good Working Relationship with 

your Veterinarian 

Dr. Jeff Baier, Heidi Bucknam 

This lecture will be a cooperative effort between Jeff 

Baier, MS, DVM, and Heidi Bucknam of the Birds of 

Prey Foundation in Broomfield, CO. We will discuss 

the methods that we have used to develop a successful 

and productive veterinarian - rehabilitator relationship. 

Wildlife Rehabilitation Ethics—When the 

Decisions Aren’t Always Easy 

Maggie Ciarcia-Belloni, Frank Belloni 

Often the cases we are called into as wildlife 

rehabilitators involve decisions that go beyond merely 

technical issues such as diet, housing, appropriate 

medications, and readiness for release. For example, 

when the animal in question is a predator species, such 

as a coyote or fox, homeowner fears may push public 

officials to act in a way that is contrary to the animal’s 

best interest. In contrast, when the patient is an 

orphan, or considered “cute” by the public, the pressure 

may be to preserve an otherwise unreleasable animal. 

In such cases, the rehabilitator needs to weigh a variety 

of factors and possibly conflicting duties before deciding 

on an appropriate course of action. Applied ethical 

reasoning can help in such cases, along with an ability to 

communicate with the public and a knowledge of local 

and state laws. This session will use fact-based case 

studies to explore some of these themes. 

Facilities Tour 

Ben Montgomery, Marianne Hites, Veronica Serwacki, 

Matt Zymanek 

Take a tour of three or four prominent wildlife 

rehabilitation centers. A slideshow (20 minutes) each of 

these facilities will be presented. 

SATURDAY 

Keynote Address - The Social Cognitive Nature of 

Killer Whales and Their Future in Captivity: 

Candidates for Future Reintroduction Projects 

Dr. Michael Noonan 

In recent years, a realization has begun to emerge in some 

members of the international zoo community that it is 

impossible to provide suitable captive conditions for 

certain species. The question then follows about what to 

do with members of those species that are presently still 

held by zoological institutions. In some cases, most 

notably in elephants, the transfer of some individuals from 

zoos to species-specific “sanctuaries” has begun. In other 

cases, the possibility of rehabilitation and release into the 

wild is being explored. This talk will examine the special 

case of marine mammals, with particular focus on the 

Killer Whale (Orcinus orca). Building on a track record 

of some successful releases of dolphins by the US Navy, 

the world watched an elaborate, two-year effort focused 

on Keiko, the killer whale made famous by the Free Willy 

movies. After progressing through a series of 

rehabilitation stages, the whale eventually did swim on his 

own out into the open ocean, and it was documented that 

he survived for many months following this release. This 

species, and the moderate success achieved in this 

instance, will be used as a model for what might be 

possible in the future. (Note: not eligible for continuing 

education credit.) 

Interesting Avian Cases 


Given the extraordinary diversity in 

bird species, the rehabilitator is 

constantly presented with unique 

challenges that require an 

understanding of a species’ 

anatomy, physiology, and particular 

life history. This lecture will 

present various avian case studies 

from Long Island, NY- from the 

good, the bad, and the ugly, to the 

bizarre and the lucky. 

Porcupine Rehabilitation: Hard to Handle Rehab 

Jen Lewis 

Learn about various techniques for handling such a prickly 

patient as well as common issues and ailments associated 

with them. We will discuss handling, mange, ring worm, 

parasites and nutrition of infant and adult porcupines.





11 

Treatment and Care of Snakes with Traumatic 

Injuries 

Kathy Michell 

The majority of injured snakes which 

rehabilitators receive are either hit by 

car or injured by a domestic pet. 

With very few exceptions, those run 

over by cars have a poor prognosis 

since internal organs are generally 

crushed. They may appear alert initially but die within 

24 hours from internal bleeding. This winter 

approximately 200 hibernating snakes were unearthed at 

a utility construction site, some uninjured, some with 

injuries ranging from minor to severe and some 

mortally injured. This unique situation provided insight 

into the ability and extent that snakes can recover from 

traumatic injury. All aspects of this case will be 

discussed including the initial recovery of snakes from 

the site, field triage and euthanasia, hibernation of the 

uninjured, treatment of injuries, extended care and 

release. Types of injuries included avulsions, 

lacerations, crushing injury, degloving, head injury and 

spinal injuries. As expansions to our aging utility 

infrastructure are needed to accommodate the growing 

human population, incidents like this may become more 

common and reptile rehabilitators should be prepared 

for this type of mass casualty incident. 

Turtle Shell Repair - Lab 



This lecture will cover methods to 

deal with all types of injuries to the 

shells of chelonian patients. Methods 

to repair fractures, abscesses and 

abrasions to the shell of chelonians 

will be covered. 

Field Rescues: Capturing Raptors in 

Warehouses and Other Enclosures 


Often underappreciated in the rehabilitation industry, 

off-site rescues are sometimes necessary to help animals 

in distress. These rescue scenarios come in unlimited 

variety, but while some are simple, others entail far 

more finesse and technique — such is the case when 

charged with capturing fully flighted raptors trapped in 

building enclosures such as warehouses, barns and the 

like. This presentation demonstrates proven techniques 

for safe and successful captures. Learn about the tools 

of the trade and strategies for using them, as well as 

tips for managing various situations and obstacles. 

Vaccination Protocols for Wildlife 

Rehabilitators 


There are many protocols circulating for the 

vaccination of wildlife in our care and vaccination is 

an important part of disease prevention in a wildlife 

rehabilitation setting. By understanding how vaccines 

work, the differences that exist between vaccines, and 

facility or organization. Modified live vaccines, killed 

vaccines, recombinant vaccines, maternal antibodies, 

vaccine intervals, and starting ages….. all will be 

discussed. 

Triaging the Wildlife Patient 


Wildlife rehabilitators deal with an enormous array of 

medical problems in their patients. At admission, it is 

important to efficiently determine which patients will 

not recover so they can be humanely euthanized, 

saving them from unnecessary suffering. In a casebased, 

interactive format, this lecture will discuss how 

to triage spinal injury patients as well as many other 

common wildlife patient presentations. The goal of 

the presentation is to help rehabilitators learn which 

patients have the best chance of being released and 

which should be euthanized on admission. 

Avian Critical Care and Supportive Care 

Techniques 


Wild animals, including birds, 

tend to hide clinical signs of 

disease and by the time they 

appear ill, the disease process is 

likely to be advanced. 

Critically ill and injured birds are, 

therefore, commonly submitted to wildlife 

rehabilitators. This presentation will discuss basic 

equipment needed to work on sick/injured/orphaned 

birds, initial health assessment, and general supportive 

care procedures. Hospitalization procedures, 

including: assessing hydration status; fluid therapy; 

routes of fluid/drug administration; antibiotics; and 

nutritional support will be discussed.

12 





Basic Neonate Mammal Care 

Chris Clark 

This talk will cover the responsibility of the wildlife 

rehabilitator, the basic skills and tools required to 

rehabilitate neonate mammals successfully. We will also 

be covering diet, caging, emergency care and releasing 

criteria. 

Fluid Therapy Lecture 


Fluid therapy is one of the most important treatments 

that can be administered in a wildlife rehabilitation 

facility. This lecture will provide information about the 

types of fluids that can be used, how to determine 

volumes of fluids to administer, and how to administer 

fluids to your patients. 

Avian Splinting Workshop 



Fractures in birds are a common problem in 

rehabilitation patients. In this workshop, fracture 

management basics will be covered and different 

methods of stabilization/splinting will be practiced on 

carcasses. 

What’s on That Bird, and How Do I Get it Off? 


Few rehabilitators actually respond to large oil spills, but 

nearly all of us receive individual birds that are 

contaminated with motor oil, tar, paint, sticky traps, 

cooking oil, or a myriad of other substances. This 

presentation looks at the more common contaminants, 

how they affect the feathers, and how to figure out the 

best way to treat the bird. 

Squirrel Care 

Chris Clark 

Many times the new rehabilitator is trained 

on infant squirrels because they are so easy 

to rehabilitate. In reality, the squirrel can be 

as complex as any animal to rehabilitate if not 

rehabilitated properly. This talk covers basic squirrel 

rehabilitation and goes into depth about the many 

illnesses, diseases, diet and the different circumstances 

the rehabilitator may encounter with injured and 

orphaned squirrels. This talk will be useful for new and 

experienced rehabilitators. 

Eating on the Fly! Basics of Raising Aerial 

Insectivores 

Sharon Burke 

In the summer of 2010, Tri-State Bird Rescue admitted 

68 fledgling Purple Martins, roughly five times the 

annual average. The majority of these birds arrived in a 

72-hour period, so by necessity, many lessons were 

learned that summer. This presentation will address the 

defining characteristics of an aerial insectivore, the 

various species that comprise this unique guild along 

with challenges their populations face, and most 

importantly, how rehabilitators can use the species’ 

natural histories to improve husbandry and optimize 

feeding success of these young birds. 

Diseases and Medicine of Birds of Prey 


Historically, birds of prey have fascinated man and are 

commonly held in captivity for conservation education, 

falconry, captive breeding, or rehabilitation purposes. 

This presentation is geared for the wildlife rehabilitator 

and will emphasize the diagnosis and treatment (often in 

conjunction with a veterinarian) of: nutritional diseases; 

select infectious diseases (avian tuberculosis, 

pododermatitis, pox, West Nile virus, and 

aspergillosis); common parasitic diseases 

(trichomoniasis, hemoparasites); and lead poisoning. 

Case reports will be presented to illustrate select 

diseases. 

Waders: Long-Legged, Long-Billed; Long- 

Necked Birds 


Every type of wildlife we treat has special 

needs, and herons, egrets, bitterns, cranes 

and other waders are no exception. From 

handling to housing, their high stress and 

seemingly “fragile” (not to mention 

dangerous) anatomy poses specific 

challenges for rehabilitation. This 

presentation looks at common injuries and illness in 

these birds, as well as some of their dietary and housing 

needs. Suggestions for reducing stress, treating common 

problems, and providing adequate housing will be 

included. 

How to Feed Your Food 

Dr. Evan Reed 

Many wildlife as well as captive exotic species are 

predatory. Consequently, the wildlife rehabilitator and 

Continued on Page 13





pet keeper is often restricted to feeding what are 

commonly referred to as “feeders.” Feeders can range 

from fish to insects to small mammals or birds. While 

small mammals or young birds are often obtained and fed 

frozen, fish and insects are usually fed live. This lecture 

will focus on how to properly care for and raise feeder 

species so that they offer optimum nutrition to the wildlife 

we work with or the exotic pet species we keep. 

*Fluid Therapy (Lab) 



Fluid therapy is one of the easiest and most important 

aspects of the care of injured and ill animals. This class 

will discuss ways to determine an animal’s hydration 

status. Types of fluids available and their proper use will 

be discussed. This class will also provide instruction in the 

routes of administration of fluids to wildlife patients. 

West Nile Virus 


West Nile Virus was extremely prevalent last year across 

the country. Since this is an emerging disease, new 

information is discovered every year about this virus. This 

presentation will discuss, in an interactive format, how 

the virus is changing, where it started in the US and where 

it is today, along with how one wildlife center in 

Minnesota dealt with the over 100 West Nile Virus 

suspect crows that were admitted last summer. 

pain that only a few years ago weren't available. But a 

lot of things have changed in recent years 

that everyone using antibiotics, narcotics 

and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory 

medications on animals should be aware 

about. Dr. Wade will discuss some 

important aspects of pharmacology and 

regulation that will help you maximize 

your treatments and avoid pitfalls. 

SUNDAY 

Micro Rehab: A Short Lecture and Lab on Bat 


Jen Lewis 

In this class, we will go a little deeper into various 

common issues you are likely to come across while 

rehabilitating bats as well as hands on examination of 

deceased bats to learn proper techniques of identifying 

a break in the wings or legs and how to properly splint 

for repair. 

13 

Keep Calm and Carrion: Vultures in 

Rehabilitation and Education 

Sharon Burke, Jackie Kozlowski 

Throughout history the vulture is a 

bird that has been idolized, feared, 

and often misunderstood. This 

presentation will address this unique 

bird’s natural history and how it can 

be applied in rehabilitation and education. Attention will 

be given to the care of both chicks and adults, with a focus 

on commonly seem problems and how to deal with them. 

Things You Might Not Know About Baytril, 

Tramadol, Metacam and Other Medications Used 

In the Care of Wildlife 


It's a great time to be practicing veterinary medicine and 

wildlife rehabilitation today! We have so many great 

drugs available to help treat serious infections and alleviate 

Fox & Coyote Rehabilitation: In the 

beginning… 

Maggie Ciarcia-Belloni 

Only a few rehabilitators have the specialized facilities 

and surrogate parent animals to rehab juvenile fox and 

coyote all the way from infancy to release. But even 

rehabilitators with modest caging can, with the right 

approach, care for fox kits and coyote pups for a period 

of time before transferring them to a rehabilitator with 

the proper outdoor caging and surrogates. 

This presentation will examine those initial steps in 

rehabbing juvenile fox and coyote. It will review their 

basic natural history, but the main focus will be on the 

care of orphaned fox kits and coyote pups from 

admission until their transfer to "next-stage" 

rehabilitators. Specific topics to be discussed include 

reasons for admission, diet, husbandry, caging, medical 

care, common and not so common heath issues, and 

problems to avoid such as imprinting.

14 





Maximizing Education Programs Through 

Improved Management of Non-Releasable 

and Captive-Bred Birds 

Jacklynn Kozlowski 

The use of live birds to enhance education programs is 

a powerful tool that can leave a lasting impression on 

our audience. The key to a success program is 

healthy, comfortable, and confident birds. This 

presentation will look at the philosophy behind 

training and how to apply these concepts to the daily 

interactions with our animals, as well as addressing 

problem behaviors. The overall objective should be 

working with birds utilizing safe handling procedures 

and positive training programs that minimize stress 

and maximize success. 

Rehabbing Songbirds for the 

Seriously Insane 

Barbara Cole 

This Class is designed for the 

rehabilitator starting songbird 

rehabilitation. This beginners level 

class will discuss basics, from 

telephone tips to release 

criteria. Identification, housing, 

diets,and some basic medical issues 

will be covered. If time allows, 

species specific information will be 

offered. Swifts, corvids, woodpeckers, game birds, 

and fish eating species are possible topics, if time 

allows. 

Wildlife Caging Solutions for the Backyard 

and Beyond 


Reviewing the latest Raptor Trust caging project, this 

presentation shows the ins and outs of one method of 

constructing quality wildlife enclosures. Emphasizing 

lessons on carpentry for non-carpenters, we will 

examine basic building principles that allow for 

versatile purposing and easy customization to meet 

the needs of the diversity of species in your care. And 

with a mindfulness of the budgetary limitations facing 

smaller and/or start-up operations, this step-by-step 

process makes high-end caging an accessible reality for 

any rehabilitator. 

Barn Owl Propagation 

Matt Zymanek 

The Barn Owl is one of the most beautiful and interesting 

birds found worldwide. In New York State it is on the 

Special concern list and is very rare in Western New 

York. This program will focus on the natural history and 

folklore of this flying mouse trap. It will also celebrate the 

internationally awarded Barn Owl Propagation Program at 

Hawk Creek Wildlife Center. It will show the important 

role of education for protecting the Barn owl. 

Raccoon and Skunk Rehabilitation 

Barbara Hollands 

These two classes will be a continuum from the NYS 

Rabies Vector Species Certification Course, with more in 

depth information on the specific species. It will focus on 

other diseases and parasites of the raccoon/skunk, critical 

care, nuisance handling or removal, cage enrichment 

before release and behavior. 

*************** 

NYS DEC Wildlife Rehabilitation Exam 

Congratulations for deciding to join the ranks of a licensed 

rehabilitator. 

*************** 

Field trip to follow the end of the NYSWRC Conference 

from 1:00 to 3:00 to Hawk Creek Wildlife Center. 

Start out going east on Whitehaven Rd toward E River 

Rd. Turn right onto E. River Rd. Turn slight right onto 

Staley Rd. Enter next roundabout and take the 3rd exit. 

Merge onto I-190S, New York State Thruway via the 

ramp on the left toward Buffalo. Merge onto I-90 West, 

New York State Thruway West via Exit 54-61 toward 

Erie. Merge onto RT 400 South via Exit 54 toward RT 

16, West Seneca/East Aurora. Merge onto Transit Rd, 

US 20W, Turn left onto Transit Road, Route 187. Turn 

left onto Quaker Road, US-20A, Turn right onto Grover 

Road, 655 Luther Road is on the right. It is at the corner 

of Grover and Luther Road. The driveway is at the fork 

in the road. 

It is 33.5 miles - about 45 minutes


SPECIAL SESSION FOR VETERINARIANS ONLY 

SUNDAY 

15 

New York Wildlife Health Program - Dr. Elizabeth Bunting/Patrick Martin 

DEC's New York State Wildlife Health Program is a partnership with Cornell University College of 

Veterinary Medicine Animal Health Diagnostic Center (AHDC). The goal of the program is to identify and 

monitor both infectious and non-infectious diseases in wildlife populations, to put that information to use in 

making sound management decisions, and to intervene when necessary to ensure that New York has 

sustainable, robust and diverse wildlife populations for the future. This session will include a discussion of 

interesting cases, new and emerging diseases in New York, disease surveillance strategies, program 

initiatives, and research projects. 

There’s a WHAT in the Waiting Room!? Practical Guidance for Safely Stabilizing and Holding the 

Wildlife That May Wander Into Your Office With Your Clients - Dr. Karen Dashfield 

As a veterinarian you never know what you are going to find in your waiting room, and the frequency of 

requests to assist with wildlife is on the rise. We will quickly review the legal issues involved with handling 

wildlife, accurate identification, triage and stabilization techniques that will allow you to provide an 

invaluable public service while being sure to “do no harm.” 

Antibiotic and Analgesic Therapy in Small Mammals - Dr. James Carpenter 

Pharmacokinetic studies in wild small mammals are lacking and, therefore, most of the dosages used in these 

species are based on extrapolation from domestic mammals (and, rarely, from exotic small mammals), 

empirical data, observations, and experience. Because drug uptake depends on factors such as age, sex, 

physiology, disease state, diet, etc., it is important for us as wildlife veterinarians to know some of the 

pharmacobiologic, physiologic, and anatomic characteristics of these species. It should also be noted that 

almost all of the drugs used in wild small mammals are extralabel. This review outlines drug administration 

sites, compounding, and some of the issues involved in selecting an antibiotic and analgesic agent (including 

nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs; NSAIDs) for use in wild small mammals. It should be especially 

noted that in recent years wildlife veterinarians have become very proactive in providing pain management 

for their wildlife patients because we have learned that analgesics (including NSAIDs) reduce post-trauma/ 

postsurgical/chronic pain, reduce stress and promote healing, and result in smoother postsurgical recoveries 

and a more rapid return to normal behavior. 

How to Maximize Your Clinic for the Care of Wildlife - Dr. Laura Wade 

So you really want to help that injured rabbit that your client drops off, but don't know how you can find the 

time in your busy day? Or maybe you enjoyed handfeeding baby robins in vet school but you don't know 

how you can keep your hospital from turning into a nestling nursery during the spring? Dr. Wade will share 

some of her experiences with working with wildlife successfully in a busy hospital and give you some tips on 

how you can do it too! 

Lead Toxicity in Raptors - Dr. Jeff Baier 

Lead toxicity is an increasingly recognized problem in raptors.This lecture will cover the approach utilized to 

diagnose and treat this problem at the Birds of Prey Foundation in Broomfield, CO. This discussion will 

cover the species affected, methods of diagnosis and methods of treatment utilized in the treatment of lead 

toxicity. 

Triaging Head Trauma - Dr. Renee Schott 

Head and spinal trauma are a common finding in injured wildlife. Many cases can be triaged on admission 

and the prognosis decided quickly. In a case-based format, the lecture will cover how to quickly and 

effectively triage the head and spinal trauma patient so that a prognosis can be determined on admission. 

Case Study: Surgical Repair of a Degloved Scalp in a Red-Tailed Hawk - Dr. Laura Wade/Dr. Evan 

Reed 

A red tailed hawk was presented with a degloving injury over the entire dorsal surface of the head. Initial 

attempts to allow for granulation and healing by second intention were unsuccessful. Therefore, a skin flap 

transposition surgery was performed to cover the defect. This lecture will discuss the treatment, surgical 

procedure and aftercare of the red-tailed hawk prior to full healing and release. 

Common Diseases and Injuries of North American Songbirds - Dr. Erica Miller 

This presentation addresses illnesses and injuries for which North American passerines are commonly 

presented to a wildlife rehabilitation facility. The information provides a quick reference for information 

regarding the cause, transmission, diagnosis and treatment of these more commonly encountered diseases 

(and parasites), including those that are zoonotic. Sample cases are also presented in this overview, and 

references for additional information are provided.

16 

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR SPEAKERS 

Biographies are presented in alphabetical order. 

Nicole Abramo, DVM 

Dr. Abramo is a native of Western New York. Before 

attending veterinary school, she was a Green Sea Turtle 

research assistant in Tortuguero, Costa Rica for the 

Caribbean Conservation Corporation. She also 

volunteered at the Buffalo Zoo, New England Wildlife 

Center and Hawk Creek Wildlife Rehab Center. After 

completing a bachelor's degree in Biology at SUNY 

Fredonia, she attended veterinary school at Ross 

University, finishing her clinical year at Oklahoma State 

University in 2003. She has been practicing small animal 

medicine in the Buffalo area for 10 years. She was 

certified in Veterinary Acupuncture in 2012 and is 

currently working on her Chinese Herbal Medicine 

certification through the Chi Institute in Florida. In her 

free time, she enjoys traveling around the world for fun 

and for work. She volunteers with World Vets, an 

organization that travels to third world countries to 

provide free veterinary care to animals and disaster relief. 

She also enjoys yoga, dancing and arial arts. 

Connie Adams 

Connie Adams is a wildlife biologist who works in the 

Buffalo office of the NYS Dept. of Environmental 

Conservation. She has worked with wildlife of some sort 

for the past 31 years. Educated at Cornell University, she 

traveled throughout the United States, including Alaska, 

as an itinerant bird bum. She worked on a variety of avian 

studies for NYSDEC, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, 

the US Forest Service, graduate students and Bird 

Observatories. She also participated in bird 

research projects in Australia, Antarctica and the West 

Indies. Since 2005 she has dug her tap root firmly into 

WNY, and been employed by DEC. She now works on 

threatened and endangered bird species, grassland birds, 

colonial waterbirds, migratory game birds, special license 

administration, permitting issues which concern 

migratory birds, and like all wildlife staff, helps with deer 

and other game animal surveys during the hunting 

seasons. She has a long standing love of red-winged 

blackbirds, bobolinks, and all fish-eating birds and 

mammals. 

Jean Alden 

Jean Alden has been a volunteer 

with the Wildlife Department of 

the Erie Co. SPCA since 1998 and 

has been state licensed since 1999. 

Jean’s involvement with wildlife 

rehabilitation began 19 years ago 

when she became a volunteer at the Buffalo Zoo working 

in the Rare and Nocturnal Mammal Department. In 2001 

she completed the Bander’s Training Course from the 

Braddock Bay Bird Observatory and in 2002 received her 

oil spill training certification. Jean has a BS degree in 

Elementary Education from the University of South 

Carolina. Prior to her involvement in wildlife 

rehabilitation she was a teacher and assistant principal. 

Jean’s work with the SPCA Wildlife Department includes 

supervising the exotic bird adoption program and the 

cottontail foster care program. Jean has a special interest 

in rearing orphaned wood ducks, turkeys and cottontail 

rabbits. 

Jeff Baier, MS, DVM 

Dr. Baier was born and raised in the great state of 

Nebraska. He completed degrees in Biology (BS) and 

Animal Science (MS, nutrition) at the University of 

Nebraska—Lincoln. He obtained his DVM from the 

Kansas State University, College of Veterinary Medicine 

in 1993. He practiced zoological medicine for 16 years. 

He has been involved in wildlife rehabilitation since 1990. 

He is currently the veterinarian for the Birds of Prey 

Foundation, in Broomfield Colorado. 

Dr. Frank Belloni 

Dr. Francis (Frank) Belloni is a professor of physiology 

and Dean of the Graduate School of Basic Medical 

Sciences at N.Y. Medical College in Valhalla, NY, where 

he teaches the physiology of mammalian circulation and 

digestion. He also teaches medical ethics and research 

ethics to medical students, graduate students and postdoctoral 

research fellows, and he is a member of NYMC’s 

Bioethics Institute. With more than 40 years experience 

in medical and graduate education, he has taught in many 

types of classroom and laboratory settings including a 

variety of highly interactive formats. Then, for something 

completely different, he has been drawn into the world of 

wildlife rehabilitation over the past 13 years by his wife 

and (except for baby season) constant companion, Maggie 

Ciarcia-Belloni. Their shared experiences and 

conversations during this period became the inspiration 

for these discussions on wildlife rehabilitation ethics. 

Heidi Bucknam 

Heidi Bucknam brings over 20 years of hands-on 

experience and training as a Raptor Rehabilitator. She has 

spent the majority of her career working for Birds of Prey 

Foundation, gaining an intimate knowledge of the general 

operation over the years. She attends countless seminars, 

symposiums, and workshops. Heidi holds her State and 

Federal licenses to rehabilitate migratory birds. Heidi can 

be found doing anything from speaking to educating the 

public, wrapping the injured wing of an American 

Kestrel, or evaluating a Golden Eagle for release. 

Elizabeth Bunting, VMD 

Veterinary Support Services, Animal Health Diagnostic 

Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell 

University 

A 1997 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School 

of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Bunting became interested in 

wildlife medicine while working as a student intern at Tri- 

State Bird Rescue and Research, a large avian 

rehabilitation hospital. She worked in the Philadelphia 

area for 5 years as a small and exotic animal private 

practitioner, wildlife rehabilitator and a relief veterinarian 

at the Philadelphia Zoo before moving to Ithaca in 2002. 

At Cornell she completed a residency in zoo and wildlife 

medicine, as well as research projects in penguin 

pharmacology and exotic cat nutrition. She is interested 

in fostering collaborative research in zoo and wildlife 

health. Dr. Bunting is a Senior Extension Associate at the 

Animal Health Diagnostic Center and she provides 

veterinary support and consultation for wildlife, zoo and 

exotic animal clients as well as serving as the wildlife 

veterinarian for the NYSDEC.



Sharon Burke 

Sharon graduated from University of South Florida in 

2005 with a BS in Biology. She got her start in wildlife 

rehabilitation during her college years, volunteering at 

Big Cat Rescue in Tampa & Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary 

in Indian Shores, FL. After graduation, she moved back 

to her hometown of Philadelphia and decided to pursue 

a career in rehab. To do so, she volunteered as much 

time as possible to the 3 surrounding centers, The Aark, 

Schuylkill Wildlife & Tri-State Bird Rescue. She was 

finally hired full-time by Tri-State in 2007, first as 

intern, then seasonal supervisor, then Staff Clinic 

Supervisor. Currently, she works in the scientific 

research field and continues to assist as relief supervisor 

or trainer at TS as needed. 

James W. Carpenter, MS, DVM, Diplomate 

ACZM 

James W. Carpenter, MS, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, has been 

a clinical and research veterinarian for 38 years in the 

field of avian, exotic animal, wildlife (including 

endangered species), and zoo animal medicine. He was 

the Leader and Research Veterinarian of the Endangered 

Species Propagation Program, Patuxent Wildlife 

Research Center, US Fish and Wildlife Service, from 

1974-1990. Dr. Carpenter served on the Wildlife 

Scientific Advisory Board, Morris Animal Foundation, 

1998-2001 (and Chairperson, 1999-2000). He is the 

Editor of the Exotic Animal Formulary (2013), which is 

used by many wildlife clinicians, and author of over 165 

scientific papers. Dr. Carpenter has been the Editor of 

the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine (1987-1992), 

President of the American Association of Zoo 

Veterinarians (1998-1999), President (2006-2007) of 

the Association of Avian Veterinarians, President of the 

American College of Zoological Medicine (2008-2009), 

and was named Exotic DVM of the Year for 2000. He 

also received the Emil Dolensek Award (American 

Association of Zoo Veterinarians, 2004), was named an 

Alumni of the Year by the Oklahoma State University 

College of Veterinary Medicine in 2009, and received 

the TJ Lafeber Avian Practitioner of the Year Award in 

2012. Dr. Carpenter is currently the Editor-in-Chief of 

the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery (1994-present). 

Maggie Ciarcia-Belloni 

Maggie Ciarcia-Belloni has been a NYS licensed wildlife 

rehabilitator for 17 years, specializing in mammals and 

game birds. As of late, she has been actively involved in 

human/wildlife conflict resolution regarding coyote and 

fox. In the past, she worked as an assistant in a 

veterinary practice where she first developed a desire to 

work with wildlife. In the mid 90’s Maggie adopted her 

first ferret and soon became involved in domestic ferret 

rescue, which continues to this day. After attending her 

first NYSWRC conference in 1995, she realized that this 

was where she belonged. In addition to rehabbing, 

Maggie offers wildlife rehabilitation workshops (along 

with her mentor Joanne Dreeben) several times a year in 

and around Putnam and Westchester counties, often 

accompanied by one of her non-releasable opossums. 

Maggie holds State, Federal & USDA licenses to Collect 

& Possess, and is currently serving as a board member of 

NYSWRC. 

Maggie attended Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY 

where she earned a BA degree in psychology and 

education. She worked in the reinsurance industry for 

close to 30 years as a business analyst and client support 

manager for a variety of software products. She resides 

in Carmel, NY with her husband Frank, too many ferrets 

to list, 1 cat, 1 Yorkshire ‘Terrorist’, 1 duck, and her 

current non-releasable opossum, Princess P. 

Christina Clark 

Chris Clark has been a licensed wildlife 

rehabilitator with the State of Connecticut 

since 1995 specializing in the rehabilitation 

of squirrels. Chris is the owner of Chris’ 

Squirrels and More, LLC located in 

Somers, CT. Chris’ Squirrels and More 

not only supplies products at very low 

pricing but her website also offers the “Rehabbers 

Corner.” The Rehabbers Corner is meant to be a 

training area for new and seasoned wildlife rehabilitators 

across the country by offering videos of actual rehab done 

at the Squirrels and More Rehab Clinic. Chris feels that 

education is of the utmost importance, and many times 

the proper education is not always accessible to wildlife 

rehabilitators in need. Chris is a native of Somers, CT 

with animals always being a main interest of hers. Chris 

was a breeder and a trainer of top quality quarter horses 

back in the late 70’s and 80’s, a mother of two children 

and a wife of over 30 years. Back in the 90’s, she was an 

antique dealer and a vet tech while raising her human 

children. Chris has been operating Chris’ Squirrels and 

More since 1999, and runs her business full time and 

generally rehabs anywhere from 60 to 120 squirrels per 

year along with several stragglers of other critters. 

www.squirrelsandmore.com 

17 

Barbara Cole 

Barb Cole has been a state and federally licensed 

rehabilitator since 1984, and considers herself a "jack of 

all trades" when it comes to rehabilitation, having 

handled a wide variety of species since starting to practice 

wildlife rehabilitation. She earned a Bachelor's and 

Master's of Education at SUNY Cortland a long, long 

time ago. She has served on the Board of Directors for 

NYSWRC for another long, long time; including being 

Legislative Chair, former Secretary, and former 

President. In what little spare time a rehabilitator has, 

she has earned a black belt in karate, played USTA tennis, 

practiced tai chi, spends more than she should antiquing 

and has developed a serious chocolate habit. 

Karen Dashfield, DVM 

Dr. Karen” has been involved in Wildlife Rehabilitation 

since 1987, volunteering throughout her Veterinary 

School career at the Ohio State University’s Raptor 

Rehabilitation program, and with the Ohio Wildlife 

Center. Throughout her Veterinary career she has 

assisted as much as possible with local wildlife 

rehabilitators, and has been the full time Medical 

Director for Antler Ridge Wildlife 


18 



Sanctuary for the past 3 years. Working extensively with 

shelters, kennels and pounds, she is able to bring the 

“shelter medicine” theories to the world of wildlife rehab. 

In order to share her knowledge, Dr. Karen speaks 

extensively for organizations including Petfinder, Animal 

Welfare Federation of New Jersey, and Career 

Development Institute, and in locations around the 

country, and internationally 


Pat is a licensed wildlife rehabilitator who has been 

specializing in the care of whitetail deer in Western New 

York for the last 15 years. Since the introduction of 

Chronic Wasting Disease into New York State, she has 

been more active in the education and training of 

rehabilitators, deer farmers and the general public for the 

safe care and handling of deer. 

Dr. James Gray, NYS Dept. of Agriculture & Markets 

Dr. Gray received his DVM degree from Cornell in 1981 

and is currently the Field Supervisor for the Division of 

Animal Industry, NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets. 

Dr. Gray has been with the Department since 1988. 

Marianne Hites 

Marianne Hites has been NY State and Federally Licensed 

wildlife rehabilitator since 1998, and holds a NYS Class II 

License as well as State and Federal Licenses to Possess 

Wildlife for Educational purposes, and has a nonreleasable 

Great Horned Owl, Barn Owl and Screech 

Owl as well as a Red-tailed Hawk. 

She has been affiliated with Messinger Woods Wildlife 

Care and Education Center, Inc. since 1997, and is the 

Events Director, an Executive Board member and is 

additionally on the Hospital Management Team. 

She has attended various specialty programs and 

internships, including the American Eagle Foundation, the 

Minnesota Raptor Center where she has taken Care and 

Management of Raptors Workshop. as well as their 

Reaptor Rehabilitation Course. In addition she has 

attended the Raptor Rehabilitation Workshop at the 

Carolina Raptor Center. 

Marianne rehabs all animals, but has a special love of 

working with Birds of Prey. 

Barbara Acomb-Hollands, 

LVT, MS 

Licensed Veterinary Technician 

Barb has been a state and federally 

licensed Class II wildlife 

rehabilitator since 1988. Barb 

specializes in all mammals, 

concentrating on the higher 

mammals: coyote, fox, and rabies 

vector species. Barbara was the North East Regional 

Director for EARS (Emergency Animal Rescue Service 

Disaster Response Team) for nine years and responded to 

over seven hurricanes, including Katrina. She currently is 

a team responder for NYS, NC, and FLA SART teams, 

CODE 3 Associates, and NVRT-1 (National Veterinary 

Response Team) with a class five security clearance. 

In addition, Barbara has a nuisance wildlife license, is 

certified for Chemical Immobilization, Oil Spill 

Training, Rabies Vector Species, and is a New York 

State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council Board Member. 

One of her tasks as a board member, in conjunction with 

the NYS DEC Special License Unit, is to conduct the 

annual NYS Rabies Certification Course. 

Barb has a Masters of Science in Adult and Public 

Education with a Certification in Human Resource 

Management from Buffalo State College. She also 

attended St. John Fisher College with a Bachelor in 

Science and was inducted into Alpha Sigma Lambda 

National Honor Society, and was honored with the St. 

John Fisher‘s Outstanding Adult Student Award 2002. 

Barb currently works for the Webster Police 

Department in the Animal Control Unit and for the 

American Red Cross in developing their Pet CPR and 

First Aid programs, incorporating disaster preparedness 

for animals and as an instructor. 

Beverly Jones 

Bev was introduced to the field of 

wildlife rehabilitation in 1985 through 

her volunteer work at the Ross Park 

Zoo and the Southern Tier Wildlife 

Rehabilitation Center. Bev attended 

SUNY Buffalo and obtained a BS 

degree in Environmental Science. She 

spent a year and a half at The 

Conservancy in Naples, Florida and 

worked with a wide array of 

subtropical wildlife. Later, she had 

the privilege of working three summers as a hack site 

attendant for the Peregrine Fund. Bev graduated from 

Medaille College’s Veterinary Technician program and 

works at the Erie County SPCA as the Assistant Director 

of Wildlife. Bev serves on the Board of Directors for 

NYSWRC and the New York State Falconry Advisory 

Board. 


Jackie Kozlowski received a BA in Biology from the 

University of Delaware. She began her professional 

career working with animals as an animal keeper at the 

Brandywine Zoo in Wilmington, Delaware. Although 

she has worked with a wide variety of animals, birds 

quickly became her focus and she began volunteering at 

Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research, and now holds the 

position of relief clinic supervisor. Jackie is currently 

employed as an avian trainer at Animal Behavior and 

Conservation Connections, a company working to 

connect people to nature using free flight bird 

presentations. She is also conducting research with Tri- 

State Bird Rescue to develop a pre-release flight 

conditioning program using behavior modification 

techniques.




My life in professional wildlife rehabilitation started at 

The Ruth Melichar Bird Center in Boise, Idaho. Also, 

while in Idaho, I worked at Zoo Boise from 1996 to 

1999 where my knowledge was expanded to world 

wildlife and native wildlife rehabilitation. This 

included the importance of proper nutrition and 

animal enrichment for all animals, no matter how 

long they were in captivity. One of my favorite 

animals that was under my care was Dagit, a strawcolored 

fruit bat. 

I have since moved back to my hometown of Auburn, 

Maine where I have acquired my Maine State 

Rehabbing license in 2002. I have recently taken on 

insectivorous bats as my main focus of rehab and am 

specializing in them. Bats were not only my passion, 

but I found there was a gap in knowledge about them 

in my area. I had obtained two very dehydrated bats 

from another rehabber that was keeping them in a 

modern refrigerator for the purpose of hibernation. 

That caused me to look for help among other 

rehabbers for the proper care of bats, but I often came 

up short on answers. Luckily I joined the World Bat 

Line and received lots of help from Amanda Lollar, 

Barbara French, and many other knowledgeable 

people there. I went to the Bat World Sanctuary in 

Texas in 2005 to get further training with them and 

am now happily the new director of a Bat World 

Rescue Center in Maine, Bat World Dirigo. 

Kelly Martin 

NYSWRC President, 

Kelly was one of the founding 

members of the Southern 

Tier Wildlife Center, 

Binghamton, NY. In addition 

to holding a Nuisance 

Wildlife Control License and 

a License to Collect and 

Possess to hold live animals for education, she has 

been a state and federally licensed wildlife 

rehabilitator since 1981 and has served on the 

NYSWRC Board of Directors for nearly as long. 

Kelly works part time for the Edmund Niles Huyck 

Preserve as an education assistant in Rensselaerville, 

NY. 

Patrick Martin 

Patrick, former supervisor of the Special Licenses 

Unit, has been named as the Wildlife Health Program 

Coordinator for the Division of Fish, Wildlife and 

Marine Resources. He is responsible for developing a 

wildlife health program in collaboration with the 

Animal Health Diagnostic Center at the College of 

Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University. Dr. Patty 

Klein, USDA/APHIS/Veterinary Services, National 

Center for Animal Health Programs has described 

Patrick as a "diversified, multi-cultural, post-modern, 

deconstructionist and cutting edge, state-of-the-art, 

bi-costal, multi-tasker who's positive attitude and 

boundless energy have allowed his frequent errors in 

judgment to be generally overlooked. 

Kathy Michell (New York Center for Turtle 

Rehabilitation and Conservation, Inc.) - 2013 

Kathy@nyturtlecenter.org 

Kathy graduated from Lebanon Valley College with a 

Bachelor of Science in Biology. Although she has always 

had a love for wildlife and the outdoors, turtles have been 

her special passion. She has been a New York State 

Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator specializing in turtles and 

snakes for 20 years. She works as a wildlife biologist 

specializing in turtles, snakes and eagles. She is also 

currently licensed as a rehabilitator in New Jersey for 

Endangered and Threatened species. Kathy has presented 

training on turtle and snake rehabilitation throughout the 

eastern US and Canada. Her interest in reptiles extends 

to long-term conservation through rehabilitation, research 

and educational efforts by sharing her scientific findings 

through wildlife conferences, presentations and numerous 

journal publications. 

Erica Miller, DVM 

Erica Miller holds a BS in Zoology and a DVM, both from 

Oklahoma State University. She has been a full-time 

wildlife veterinarian & rehabilitator for 24 years, serving 

as staff veterinarian at 3 wildlife rehabilitation centers. 

She is presently with NJ DEP, Div F&W, Office of 

Wildlife Health & Forensics, and does volunteer work 

with the Mercer County Wildlife Center in NJ and is the 

avian veterinarian for the Brandywine Zoo in DE. She has 

been on staff at 3 veterinary schools, and co-teaches a 

class in Wildlife Medicine at the University of 

Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. She served 

on the board of directors for the National Wildlife 

Rehabilitators Association for 16 years, as well as the 

board of the Mid-Atlantic States Avian Veterinary 

Association, and the advisory boards for both the Illinois 

Wildlife Rehabilitators Association and the Delaware 

Wildlife Rehabilitators Association. She currently serves 

on the Endangered and Non-game Species Advisory 

Committee to the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife, 

the NJ Wildlife Rehabilitators Advisory Committee, the 

Scientific Advisory Committee for the Oiled Wildlife 

Care Network, and was the NYSWRC Veterinarian of the 

Year in 2009. She has responded to over 45 oil spills 

involving wildlife during her 19 years with Tri-State Bird 

Rescue & Research. She holds a Master Station Bird 

Banding Permit and will take every opportunity offered to 

do banding in the field! Married to the great guitar player, 

singer, and A/V whiz, John Frink, they share their home 

with Ben the wonder dog. 


In 2001, I took a summer job at 

The Raptor Trust. At the time, 

all I wanted was to be outdoors 

doing physical work, but I soon 

found myself totally turned on by 

all aspects of animal care, nonprofit 

work and community 

involvement. With a slight detour in 2002, for an 

internship at the Philadelphia Zoo, I continued to commit 

my time to the Trust whenever possible. I earned a 

Bachelor’s degree in Ecology from Wheaton College (MA) 

Continued on Page 20 

19

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in 2004, and though employed at an environmental 

remediation firm, I still spent my weekends volunteering 

at the Trust. In 2006, and appropriately, on Thanksgiving, 

the Trust offered a full-time opportunity, and I eagerly 

accepted. Since then, I have been responsible for many of 

the Trust’s non-medical operations, including building and 

maintaining the aviaries, managing food and non-medical 

supplies, providing site tours and conducting off-site 

raptor rescues. In 2010, I earned a Master’s degree in 

Science Education from Faileigh Dickinson University 

(NJ), and have since added public outreach and raptor 

education presentations to my bag of tricks. I have 

attended a number of national and state conferences in the 

last two years, and have enjoyed the privilege of speaking 

at several of them. I am looking forward to participating 

in future events, and continuing to be involved in the 

wildlife rehabilitation community. 


Dr. Moran received her degree in Veterinary Medicine 

from Cornell University in 1995. After graduating, she 

worked in a small animal practice until 2004, when she 

began work at the Erie County SPCA. Dr. Moran is a 

licensed wildlife rehabilitator, and she works closely with 

the wildlife department at the SPCA. In her “free time,” 

she cares for turtles and snakes at home where she lives 

with her husband and son and an ever-changing array of 

animals. Dr. Moran was the recipient of the 2008 

Veterinarian of the Year Award. 

Diane Nickerson Mercer County Wildlife Ctr, NJ 

Having graduated from Temple University, in 

Philadelphia, PA, with a Bachelor of Business 

Administration in Marketing and Management, I spent the 

next ten years in the insurance industry in primarily 

marketing positions. In March of 1988, I began volunteer 

work for a local wildlife center in PA. Six months later I 

left the insurance industry to explore new career 

opportunities. I completed an Environmental Education 

internship at a local nature center and then the 

International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council Basic Skills 

Seminar. I worked as a part-time teacher naturalist at two 

nature centers until July of 1990, at which time I accepted 

a full-time position as the Director of Education at the 

Aark WR&EC. 

I held that position until March of 1994 when I applied for, 

and subsequently accepted, the position of Director at the 

Mercer County Wildlife Center in New Jersey. The 

Mercer County Wildlife Center handles approximately 

2500 patients, 12,000 incoming telephone calls and 200 

community outreach education programs each year. 

In addition to my work at MCWC, I am current vicepresident 

of the Board of Directors for the New Jersey 

Association of Wildlife Rehabilitators. I still serve on the 

legislative affairs, conference and nominating committees 

for NJAWR. I am currently a member of the Board of 

Directors for National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, 

a former vice-president of that organization, chair of the 

Education and Human Resources Committees and serve as 

a member of the Conference, Nominating, Planning and 

Publications Committees. 

Dr. Michael Noonan 

Dr. Michael Noonan is Chair of the Animal Behavior, 

Ecology, and Conservation Department at Canisius College 

in Buffalo, NY. He is also Director of that college’s 

Master’s Program in Anthrozoology, an innovative 

curriculum that explores mankind’s relationships with other 

species. He is Founder/Director of the Institute for the 

Study of Human-Animal Relations and of the Canisius 

Ambassadors for Conservation, a program that has brought a 

pro-wildlife message to 1.2 million people. 

Dr Noonan’s research focuses on the cognitive and social 

nature of marine mammals. His recent discoveries include 

evidence of numerical competence in bottlenose dolphins, 

unusual male-male alliances in beluga whales, and culturally 

transmitted gull-baiting techniques in killer whales. Dr 

Noonan is a passionate advocate for the welfare of marine 

mammal species in captivity. 

Evan J. Reed, DVM 

A Buffalo native, Dr. Reed graduated from Cornell 

University College of Veterinary Medicine in spring 2011. 

That summer he joined the staff at Specialized Care for 

Avian and Exotic Pets and the staff at Transit Animal 

Hospital. During his veterinary training, he gained 

extensive experience working with exotic pets and wildlife. 

Dr. Reed has a special interest in fish and amphibian/reptile 

medicine. Outside of veterinary practice, he is an avid 

gardener and aquarist. He also enjoys hiking, fishing, 

camping, and boating among other pursuits. Dr. Reed, his 

wife, and daughter share their home with two cats, Frosty 

and George; their four salamanders, Hans, Berta, Groovy, 

and Taz; and many, many fish. 

Bethany Rottner, DVM 

Dr. Bethany Rottner is a New York state licensed 

veterinarian and a graduate of Cornell University College of 

Veterinary Medicine, where she concentrated in wildlife and 

exotic medicine. Prior to earning her veterinary degree, she 

graduated with honors from Franklin and Marshall college 

with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Pre-Healing 

Arts. Her interests include not only the biological aspects of 

animal care, but the cultural and anthrozoological as well. 

She is the Medical Director at the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife 

Rescue Center in Hampton Bays, Long Island, NY. 

Robert Rudd, Principal Bacteriologist, Wadsworth 

Center, Zoonotic Disease and Clinical Virology, M.S. 

Robert Rudd directs the 

Wadsworth Center rabies 

laboratory which provides 

rabies virus diagnostic 

services to all of New York 

State. The laboratory 

operates in a freestanding 

Biosafety Level (BSL)-3 

building, specifically designed and constructed for the 

unique demands of animal necropsy and rabies diagnosis and 

research. 

Renee Schott, DVM, CWR 

Renée is currently a full-time staff veterinarian at the 

Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota (WRC), one of 




21 

the largest rehabilitation centers in the country. She has 

been involved in wildlife rehabilitation for over 11 years 

and has worked at wildlife rehabilitation centers across the 

country. Renée is passionate about wildlife rehabilitation 

medicine and sharing her knowledge with others; over 50 

veterinary students come to WRC each year to learn more 

about wildlife medicine. Additionally, Renée is involved 

in teaching courses at the University of Minnesota-College 

of Veterinary Medicine, teaches veterinary technicians at 

Argosy University and is on the National Wildlife 

Rehabilitators’ Association’s Board of Directors. 

Veronica Serwacki 

Veronica developed her love for wild animals living in 

their natural habitats in Kenya, East Africa where she was 

born and raised. She joined Messinger Woods Wildlife 

Care and Education Center as a volunteer in 1999and soon 

after obtained her Class I Wildlife Rehabilitation license in 

order to care for orphaned, injured and recuperating 

wildlife. Once the Messinger Woods hospital officially 

opened in 2003, Veronica became a shift leader and 

eventually joined the Hospital’s Management Team, a 

group of team members commissioned to ensure the 

smooth running and operation of the wildlife hospital in 

Holland, New York. Veronica has also been volunteering 

as a shift leader at the Erie County’s SPCA Wildlife 

Department since 2003. She is now on the NYSWRC 

board, a member of the Executive Board of Messinger 

Woods’ Wildlife Care and Education Center, and the 

editor and writer for the Wildlife Messenger Newsletter. 

Veronica is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in 

Anthrozoology while working full time at Canisius 

College, a Jesuit higher educational institution, in Buffalo, 

New York. 

Paul Stringer, NYSDEC 

My career in wildlife began with my studies at SUNY 

Cobleskill, where I earned a Bachelor of Technology in 

Animal Science. Upon graduating from school, I combed 

the countryside looking for employment within my chosen 

field in practically every state in the union other than New 

York. Well, as luck would have it (Murphy’s Law), the 

only state agency willing to hire me, was the NYSDEC. 

Apparently, they recognized a bargain right away, and 

have yet to let me forget it. 

I began working for the NYSDEC Wildlife Unit, located in 

Central Office in 2003, helping to develop the Nuisance 

Wildlife Control Manual and exam, as well as dealing with 

other issues related to nuisance wildlife. It was here that I 

was constantly reminded about how the term “wildlife 

management” is so misleading. This is due to the fact that 

we are more involved with the management of people and 

their various relationships with wildlife, rather than 

individual animals, which are rarely responsible for causing 

problems. 

Later, I moved into the Special Licenses Unit in 2005. 

Here I am responsible for licensing, information and 

various activities associated with Wildlife Rehabilitation, 

Nuisance Wildlife Control, Shooting Preserves, Domestic 

Game Bird Breeding, Hunters with Disabilities and certain 

licenses related to Endangered Species. It is here that I am 

able to help with the regulation of certain activities related 

to wildlife and the people that choose to be involved with 

wildlife. My position here also allows me to harass various 

licensees periodically, which often helps to alleviate some of 

the boredom and tension that one might associate with 

working in an office setting. This appears to be my current lot 

in life. However, that doesn’t mean that I’m not open to other 

offers, should they come my way. 

Laura Wade, DVM 

Laura Wade is a 1997 graduate of Cornell University College 

of Veterinary Medicine. She completed a residency in avian & 

exotic pet medicine from the Animal Medical Center in NYC 

in 2003. The same year, she became board certified in avian 

practice by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. In 

2012, Dr. Wade built and opened the first practice in 

Western NY, Eastern OH and Western PA devoted 

exclusively to the care of avian & exotic pets. Involved with 

the care of wildlife since she was a child, Dr. Wade continues 

to treat wildlife at her practice and with several area wildlife 

facilities. Dr. Wade has been a participant and speaker at 

NYSWRC since 1999 and was awarded the veterinarian of the 

year award in 2004. 

Stephanie West, DVM 

Dr. Stephanie West (formerly Dr. Westerman) is a practicing 

veterinarian at the Summer Street Cat Clinic and an Associate 

Professor of Veterinary Technology at Medaille College. She 

earned her D.V.M. from the New York State College of 

Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University. She has served as 

President of the Western New York Veterinary Medical 

Association, and has been a board member of the Niagara 

Frontier Veterinary Society and the Buffalo Academy of 

Veterinary Continuing Education. Dr. West is an active 

lecturer, and has presented multiple guest lectures at the 

University of Buffalo Mini-Vet School, the S.P.C.A. of Erie 

County, and other locations. She has appeared on AM Buffalo, 

Winging It, and the former radio program Ask the Vet. She 

created and wrote an on-line program for the certification of 

Veterinary Assistants through Kaplan University, and is 

involved in the creation and development of new programs and 

courses in Veterinary Technology at Medaille College. Dr. 

West loves to have the chance to speak with people who are 

passionate and actively working to improve the well-being of 

all animals. 

Matt Zymanek 

Matt Zymanek has been with Hawk Creek Wildlife Center 

since 1992. Currently the Operations Manager, he is an 

experienced Class 2 wildlife rehabilitator, wild animal handler 

and trainer, with a degree in Biology from Buffalo State 

College. Matt is oil spill trained, chemical immobilization 

certified and has rabies vector certification. His credentials 

include being a board member of The New York State Wildlife 

Rehabilitation Council, Hawk Creek Wildlife Center and The 

New York River Otter Project, Inc. He has acted as a guest 

naturalist on Princess Cruise lines and has presented papers at 

both the national and international level. He oversees Hawk 

Creek‘s facilities, the barn owl propagation program and 

animal care. Hawk Creek rehabilitates several hundred animals 

a year and permanently houses non-releasable birds of prey and 

other carnivores. Matt is also an environmental educator, 

reaching thousands of children annually. Hawk Creek currently 

presents over 2,500 educational programs in Pennsylvania, 

New York and New Jersey. He is currently working on 

becoming a Falconer.

22 

NYSWRC Board Member Elections: 

We are pleased that Amy Freiman, Barb Hollands, Kelly Martin, Terri Murphy, and Matt Zymanek will 

run for election this year to continue their service to the board. 

Voting will take place at the Annual Meeting on Saturday evening. Nominations will be taken from the floor. 

To quality as a board member, you must be at least 16 years old and have been a member in good standing of 

NYSWRC for a minimum of one year prior to running for office. These are 3 year positions. 

NYSWRC MEMBERSHIP is a privilege. Licensing by the State makes you eligible to join NYSWRC, 

but does not make you an automatic member. Membership in NYSDEC is included in your registration fee 

for this year and must be renewed annually. 

Many of you joined for the first time during a fall seminar, so fall will become the time to renew each year. 

Your address label on our newsletter, Release, also serves as a reminder at renewal time. We hope you will 

continue to support your organization through membership. There is strength in numbers, and NYSWRC 

needs you! Thank you for joining us. 

NYSWRC is the oldest wildlife rehabilitation organization in the United States, with a proud history of 

serving members through educational training at the annual seminars, oil spill response training, 

rehabilitation record keeping, production of educational brochures and public service announcements, and 

the quarterly newsletter Release. NYSWRC is a private not-for-profit educational organization serving 

rehabilitators in New York State and throughout the country. The primary goal of our membership-based 

organization is to promote professionalism in the field of wildlife rehabilitation and to provide wildlife 

rehabilitators with educational and technical support. NYSWRC is guided by an elected board of directors 

who meet bi-monthly to keep abreast of current issues and to continue work on educational projects. 

NYSWRC serves as a liaison with the NYS Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Health, 

and Agriculture and Markets regarding licensing and disease concerns for rehabilitators. We also serve as a 

liaison with the US Fish and Wildlife Service with regard to Federal Licenses for the possession and care of 

migratory birds. NYSDEC works closely with IWRC, NWRA and other statewide rehabilitation 

organizations. The board is pleased to represent you, a NYSWRC member. Thank you for being involved. 

NYSWRC Veterinarian of the Year Award Recipients: 

1997 Dr. Michael Bonda 2006 Dr. Brian Landenberger 

1998 Dr. Alison Hazel 2007 Dr. Brian Hall 

1999 Dr. Carl Tomascke 2008 Dr. Karen Moran 

2000 Dr. Basil Tangredi 2009 Dr. Erica Miller 

2001 Dr. Wendi Westrom 2010 Dr. Matthew Dunaif 

2002 Dr. Carl Eisenhard 2011 Dr. Christopher Elson 

2003 Dr. James Robinson 2012 Dr. Jonathan H.S. Turetsky 

2004 Dr. Laura Wade 2013 Dr. Tanya Jackson 

2005 Dr. Victor J. Desaro

23 

2013 NYSWRC Veterinarian of the Year 

Dr. Tanya Jackson 

Nomination By Renee Staffeld 

This letter is to nominate Dr. Tanya Jackson as Veterinarian of the Year for 2013. I have known Dr. Jackson 

for three years. I met her when I was working with a mutual rehabilitator friend of ours as an assistant wildlife 

rehabilitator. Dr. Jackson had driven about an hour and a half after work, making the time close to 10 pm, just 

to see a hit-by-car buck who had been brought to the center that day. I was immediately impressed that Dr. 

Jackson would make such a long drive after being at work all day. I knew how hard it was to find a 

veterinarian to make the time for injured wildlife, even when they were being compensated, but Dr. Jackson 

was providing her services and medicine without cost to the center. I was simply blown away at her 

generosity. Not only that, but she is a N.Y.S. licensed wildlife rehabilitator, and she is also licensed to work 

with rabies vector species. 

I continued working at the wildlife center for the rest of the summer and saw Dr. Jackson whenever we had an 

emergency. She was always so sweet and patient; she took the time to answer my questions. I planned on 

going back to school to pursue a veterinary degree, and I asked Dr. Jackson if I might be able to shadow 

veterinarians at her practice. I was eager to gain both small and large animal experience in order to be 

prepared for school. She immediately said she’d be happy to have me. It was then that I really began to 

realize how much she did for wildlife. Dr. Jackson had been helping her area with wildlife rehabilitation 

services pro-bono, with an open heart. The first day I came to shadow, she actually had an injured raccoon 

with her there at work so that she could administer medications in a timely manner. 

Dr. Jackson has inspired me more than anyone else to pursue my dream of becoming a veterinarian. She has 

provided me with support and has helped me gain the experience I needed to confirm my decision to become a 

veterinarian. She always responds to my emails and phone calls about wildlife in a timely manner, even 

though I know she is extremely busy with work. She has treated me with respect and kindness. She is the 

veterinarian that others aspire to be. Dr. Jackson is a genuinely selfless person with more compassion than 

any veterinarian I have ever known. I have watched her during her surgery days, and have seen her calmly 

and confidently perform intricate surgeries such as a cruciate ligament reconstruction on a dog. 

This summer, Dr. Jackson helped me get a job as a veterinary assistant intern at a local veterinary hospital. I 

would have loved to work for her, but she lives over an hour away so that wasn’t possible. However, she 

provided me with a reference that landed me a very competitive position. There is no doubt in my mind that 

Dr. Jackson should be the Veterinarian of the Year for 2013. I know this award is only given to exceptional 

veterinarians and that was why I was excited to nominate her this year. No one is more deserving, in my 

opinion. In a few short years, I will also be a veterinarian and wildlife rehabilitator, providing my services 

without cost just as Dr. Jackson does. She has played a crucial role in my journey. If it weren’t for her help 

and the way she took me under her wing, so to speak, I don’t know that I would have been able to gain the 

experience I needed to be hired as a veterinary assistant this year. 

When I graduate from veterinary school, Dr. Jackson will be at the top of my thank-you list. Please help me 

thank her by congratulating her as Veterinarian of the Year for 2013.

24 

THANKS TO MESSINGER WOODS WILDLIFE CARE 

AND EDUCATION CENTER 

AND THE WILDLIFE RESCUE CENTER OF THE HAMPTONS 

FOR SPONSORING THE REFRESHMENT BREAKS! 

NYSWRC hopes you enjoyed the 

Conference! 

See you again next year in Lake George, NY 

October 24-26, 2014

Conference Booklet - New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council

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