Continuing Education

Continuing education is vitally important to the entire staff here at the Center. Every year, we take time out of our busy schedules to travel all over the country in an effort to learn new techniques, listen to current research, network with our peers, and to help educate others by sharing our experiences.

2011

In April, Dr. Wilson traveled to St. Louis to the annual symposium of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners to continue in her pursuit of board certification in reptile and amphibian medicine. She had a great time meeting new vets in her field and learning even more about her favorite group of patients!

In February, Dr. Maguire lectured at The Real Macaw Parrot Club in New Jersey. She discussed a series of case studies which she collected at our hospital. She demonstrated the signs of illness, diagnostic techniques, and the therapies which we applied that cured them.

In January, Serena Yeung, LVT attended her first major veterinary conference: the North American Veterinary Conference in Florida. Serena attended lectures focusing on birds, small mammals, and reptiles, but also attended classes on emergency medicine and CPR. She particularly enjoyed a hands-on wetlab where she got to learn about reptile endoscopy and is now an expert on our endoscope equipment and it’s many uses!

Dr. Wilson also attended NAVC with Serena. Her focus was on reptile and amphibian medicine, however she was also there to assist her colleague, Dr. Tiffany Rimar, who was lecturing on avian acupuncture. Dr. Rimar spent several days at our practice working with our staff to create a comprehensive lecture on the topic, as well as to obtain lovely photos of our staff in action performing acupuncture!

2010

October 2010: Dr. Wilson attended the annual Association of Reptile and Amphibian Medicine conference in Texas. This year, the meeting was in conjunction with the American College of Zoological Medicine and Dr. Wilson enjoyed the diversity of topics presented.

Also in October, Dr. Maguire was invited to lecture at the Long Island Parrot Society Expo where she delivered a fantastic talk on avian anesthesia. LIPS members really appreciated her comprehensive “behind the scenes” look at exactly what we do and why we do it when we sedate or anesthetize pet birds.

Dr. Maguire also earned a certificate in Avian Behavior from the world renowned avian behaviorist Susan Friedman, PhD. The certificate verifies that Dr. Maguire studied for 6 weeks with Dr. Friedman whose focus is Applied Behavior Analysis which focuses on the guiding principle that the hierarchy of teaching intervention starts with the most positive, least intrusive, effective behavior solutions. Dr. Maguire earned her certificate with special honors!

August 2010: Dr. Maguire and Melissa attended the 31st Annual Association of Avian Veterinarians Conference & Expo with the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians. Melissa led a round table for exotic veterinary technicians in addition to attending all the lectures and a wet lab on avian behavior and enrichment. Dr. Maguire spent her time in the lectures, as well as taking wet labs in avian ultrasound and exotic pet endoscopy.

January 2010: Dr. Wilson and Lorelei attended the 27th annual North American Veterinary Conference in Orlando, FL. Dr. Wilson spent the week attending lectures focusing on reptile and small mammal medicine. Some highlights were symposiums on the most current research on pain management in reptiles and amphibians, and new ideas on enrichment and training for reptiles. She also enjoyed learning new techniques in small mammal surgery.

Lorelei focused on the hospital management and client relations track. She is looking forward to applying what she learned to make sure clients have a great experience at the practice!

2009

October 2009: Tracy Ritter, one of our fantastic receptionists, attended the Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conferrence in Atlantic City. She attended lectures concerning all aspects of front desk and management issues, including lectures about communications, client service, and team building.

August, 2009: Lorelei attended the AAV - Association for Avian Veterinarians annual conference. This is also the annual conference for the AEMV - Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians and the ARAV - Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians conference. She attended numerous excellent masterclasses, workshops and labs. Lorelei also hosted a round table discussion and moderate the technician session at the conference.

April, 2009: Lorelei lectured at the Mid-Atlantic States Association of Avian Veterinarians annual conference in Lancaster. Her lecture topics included how technicians can make avian veterinary practices more profitable, biosecurity, avian lab sampling, and valuable avian resources.

Melissa attended the Central Veterinary Conference East in Baltimore where where she attended lectures and wet labs on reptile and avian surgery and advanced medicine.

2008

January, 2008: Dr. Wilson and Lorelei attended the 25th annual North American Veterinary Conference in Orlando, Florida. This is one of the largest conferences in North America, and there is a 5 day avian and exotic pet series. Dr. Wilson perfected her turtle surgical techniques in a Chelonian lab, while Lorelei attended an avian handling and behavior seminar. They also attended sessions on reptile nutrition and husbandry, avian anesthesia and surgical techniques, and small mammal emergency medicine.

Fall 2008: Lauren, one of our receptionists, received a certificate for completing an online veterinary receptionist program. The program is through Cedar Valley College, and it includes educating individuals on veterinary terminology, professionalism, and common medical procedures.

August, 2008: Dr. Wilson, and Lorelei attended the 29th Annual Association of Avian Veterinarian’s Conference and Expo with the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians. They attended sessions including avian behavior and enrichment, advancements in avian and small mammal medicine and surgery, diagnostics and therapeutics, disease syndromes, research, and case presentations.
As the committee chair for the AAV Technician Department, Lorelei was a moderator and guest speaker for the technician session. She lectured on preventing disease transmission in the avian/exotic hospital.
Dr. Wilson and Lorelei attended the lab sessions on avian cytology and hematology and master classes including Avian Mycoses, Pathology as a Base for Clinical Understanding, Avian Sinusitis, and Pathology of Cavies.