Professional Services for Exotic Pets
My mission is to teach people how to give exotic companion animals the best possible life they can have with the same opportunities for enrichment, good nutrition, and health care that most dogs and cats have.
Not everyone chooses traditional cats and dogs as pets! Many of us are intrigued by the unique inteligence of birds, the soothing nature of rabbits, the incredible playfulness of ferrets, the fascinating behaviors of reptiles, or even the bizarre habits of other exotic pets such as sugar gliders and hedgehogs. But the uniqueness of these animals is also what makes them difficult to understand and often harder to care for in our homes. Most people know when their dog is not feeling well... but do you know when your bearded dragon is under the weather? What do you do when your bird's toenails are overgrown? What does it mean when your rabbit is drooling?
After 25 years working in the veterinary field with these special species of pets, I have identified a real need in the pet industry that is the bridge between pet stores and veterinary care. I want to offer my expertise and experience to help people learn how to navigate the behavior, care, and welfare needs of their non-traditional companion pets.
What makes me qualified to help you?
I have been a licensed veterinary technician since 2001
I worked exclusively with exotic pets from 2004-2022
I have written and edited multiple textbook chapters and journal articles about exotic pets
I teach at a local veterinary nursing program, and I have given over a hundred lectures at national veterinary conference
I am currently building an exotics department at a local specialty veterinary hospital
I was on the Organizing Committee for the AVTCP where I was one of 3 people who started the Veterinary Technician Specialty for exotic pet medicine (www.avtcp.org)
I am a past President of the AVTCP and am the current Chair of the Credentials Committe
I have lived with and studied birds since I was a child!
o Animals I work with include:
Parrots
Finches and canaries
Other pet birds (toucans, chickens, etc)
Rabbits
Guinea pigs
Chinchillas
Small rodents (rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, degus)
Sugar gliders
Hedgehogs
Pot belly pigs (excluding grooming)
Prairie dogs
Ferrets
Snakes (non-venomous)
Lizards
Turtles and tortoises
Other more exotics upon request
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