Teton Raptor Center, WY

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 States

Animal Type
Is student housing available?
No
Hours of supervision by a licensed veterinarian per week
40
Global engagement opportunity
No
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