Description of Elective Experience:
Introduce veterinary student to avian (raptor) medicine in a high-volume, fully-functional veterinary hospital and well as expose student to the basics of wildlife husbandry, rehabilitation, conservation, and education outreach.
Institutional and Educational Resources - staffing, equipment, etc.:
Student will be provided with:
- Training in triage, physical exam, emergency care, diagnostic imaging, diagnostic testing, and surgery within a variety of avian species
- Knowledge of many common diseases and injuries seen in wildlife
- Basic knowledge of wildlife husbandry, rehabilitation, wildlife research, and rescues
- Knowledge of the Teton Raptor Center (TRC) and how the non-profit serves the greater Yellowstone region ecosystem and community
- Exposure to the operations of a non-profit wildlife center
- Knowledge of humane coexistence with wildlife
- Knowledge of animals’ habitats
Student Responsibilities - what is expected of students in terms of hours, days of the week, shadowing or actual support?:
Students are expected to participate in the following depending on comfort level, current veterinary school year, and handling abilities:
- Focus on emergency triage of sick, orphaned, injured and abandoned avian species
- Shadow the primary triage doctor and triage technician
- Become familiar with the center’s record keeping system during first week
- Become familiar with the handling and medication of a variety of species, the various areas where the animals are housed, and the administrationof other treatments such as physical therapy
- May have primary case responsibility for selected cases during second week
- Daily Rounds with the doctor: go over cases in the hospital, formulate differential diagnoses and treatment plans for further diagnostics and treatment, and carry out various diagnostic testing
- Work with technicians: perform procedures such as drawing blood; perform routine tasks such as assisting with surgical instrument cleaning and pack wrapping
- May be asked to perform routine surgeries such as laceration repairs, assist with anesthesia for surgeries performed by doctor, perform anesthetized radiographs, and assist with necropsies of patients
- May be asked to assist with more advanced surgeries such as enucleation, amputation, orthopedic surgeries, ingluviotomy, etc.
- Students are expected to shadow no less than 40 hours per week (The weekly schedule may be flexible to accommodate the student's schedule)
Supervisor:
Salene Freeman (DVM)
Website:
https://tetonraptorcenter.org
Contact email:
Address:
5450 WY-22
Wilson, WY 83014
United StatesPractice or Institution Type:
Is student housing available?:
No
Hours of supervision by a licensed veterinarian per week:
40
Global engagement opportunity:
No