Session Abstracts
The sessions are labeled by track and level to help you select those that you wish to attend. All sessions are open to everyone unless otherwise noted.
Beginner and General Lectures:
Backyard Habitat Enhancements - bee blocks, toad abodes and frog pipes
Brian Bockhahn
Learn about creative and simple ways to attract wildlife to your backyard.
(Beginner Track, General, Vet Tech CE)
Dealing with the unexpected - what to do when an armadillo shows up?!
Toni O'Neil
Armadillos - Friend or Foe? explains approaches that can be used when a new species moves into the neighborhood. As climate changes occur and animals expand their territories into areas never before occupied, there will be questions from the public. Are they a menace, a nuisance, a serious health concern? You must be prepared to answer these questions and provide helpful information as well as humane co-existence solutions. As a wildlife rehabilitator, you must also be aware of the specific care requirements and be prepared to provide the proper treatment, medications, housing, and diet.
(Beginner Track, General, Vet Tech CE)
Care of Chimney Swifts
Sabrina Garvin
This presentation covers the housing needed from hatchlings to release of Chimney Swifts. Sabrina will discuss the diets used at the center in 2016 leading to the release of 39 swifts.
(Beginner Track, General, Vet Tech CE)
Identification and Rehabilitation Requirements of Native Bird Species.
Sabrina Garvin
The discussion will cover identification of juvenile songbirds, learning their natural dietary needs and how to apply his information to the diets offered in rehabilitation.
(Beginner Track, General, Vet Tech CE)
Compassion Fatigue
Michelle Gregory
Compassion Fatigue - intended to define, bring awareness, educate and provide solutions for the impact compassion fatigue may have on animal care workers. This presentation will cover symptoms, risk factors, a self-assessment test, self-care techniques, and more. We can only take care of others, when we have tended to ourselves first.
(Beginner Track, General, Vet Tech CE)
Beginner Expectation - Eyes Wide Open
Michelle Gregory
Beginner Expectations - Eyes Wide Open: an honest, and thought-provoking presentation on what to expect when starting work in wildlife rehabilitation. Topics such as: the goals of rehabilitation, human-animal conflicts, and work conditions will be covered.
(Beginner Track, General, Vet Tech CE)
Observations
Linda Ostrand
Taking the time to stop and look at each one of your wildlife patients is as important as mixing the right formula. Prior to feeding or cleaning, taking just one full minute to look at and carefully scrutinize each baby can mean the difference between success or failure in raising these youngsters to release. This class will discuss what to look for and how to evaluate what you see and possibly don’t see.
(Beginner Track, General, Vet Tech CE)
Is that a Bird? A Mammal? An Insect?
Jean Chamberlain
This presentation will cover songs, calls and sounds of many of the animals that we rehab and other animals found in North Carolina. Let's see how many you can recognize. Jean will also cover how the animals produce the various sounds.
(Beginner Track, General, Vet Tech CE)
Rehabbing Squirrels
Glenda Combs
This basic class will cover the general principles for raising baby squirrels. The class will cover general growth and development, housing requirements, feeding and nutritional needs and release criteria.
(Beginner Track, General, Vet Tech CE)
Initial Assessment & Care of Reptiles and Amphibians
Halley Buckanoff
Initial Care and Assessment of Herptiles will review the considerations needed for handling, housing and triage of reptiles and amphibians admitted for rehabilitation.
(Beginner Track, General, Vet Tech CE)
What in the World is Going on Here?
Advance Assessment and Care for Small Mammals
Kim Ashby
Why isn’t my baby suckling? Why is my baby walking in circles? Does this baby look weird? Why is my baby losing hair? What are those lumps? Noooo, not diarrhea! Have you encountered some puzzling symptoms in your rehab animals? Ever wanted to be a better diagnostician? This workshop will cover some generalized symptoms seen in small mammals and walk through possible diagnoses and possible treatment options.
(General, Vet Tech CE)
Groundhogs
Glenda Combs
This presentation is an overview of the rehabilitation of groundhogs. The speaker
will share information on the characteristics, care, feeding and housing of
groundhogs. She hopes to entice you to want to rehabilitate this complex species.
(Beginner Track, General, Vet Tech CE)
Cottontail Rehabilitation
Cathy Burns and Betty Holloway
This is an general overview on the rehabilitation of Eastern cottontails. You will learn basic care, feeding, housing and release criteria.
(Beginner Track, General, Vet Tech CE)
Caring for Adult Mammals in Captivity
Halley Buckanoff
Consideration for Caring for Adult Wild Mammals in Captivity will review from admission to handling to housing important aspects for caring for adult North Carolina native wild mammals. Topics will include stress management, triage and euthanasia.
(Beginner Track, General, Vet Tech CE)
Basic Medical for Beginners
Jean Chamberlain
This class will cover basic medical terms and equipment used in rehabilitation. Learn how to read a syringe, the basic medical terminology used by your vet, and how to measure meds.
(Beginner Track, General)
What's Wrong for Wrens is Right for Robins
Toni O'Neil
"What's Wrong for Wrens and Right for Robins" is a comparison between several passerine nestlings/fledglings that are frequently brought in for care. It will focus on these and point out the major similarities and differences in care for the more common species that we routinely deal with in spring/summer rehabilitation during "baby bird season". Specific tips for successful rearing of the Carolina Wren will also be presented from admission through release.
(General, Vet Tech CE)
Fluid Therapy
Toni O'Neil
Fluid therapy is one of the most basic initial supportive treatments which can make the difference between life and death for wildlife patients. Program participants learn to responsibly and effectively evaluate: administration of fluids, types of fluids, routes and volume of fluid administration and monitoring the effects of fluid therapy.
(Beginner Track, General, Vet Tech CE)
Handling Wildlife Calls
Carla Johnson
'My dog has brought me a baby bird.' 'I don't think the mother rabbit is feeding the young in the nest in my back yard.' 'There's a bat in my chimney.' Carla covers many of the calls frequently received by rehabilitators and vet offices.
(Beginner Track, General, Vet Tech CE)
If You Can't See Them, Are They There?: Zoonoses
Learn the importance of hygiene and good husbandry. Learn why you need to know about zoonoses and how they can be spread.
Carla Johnson
(Beginner Track, General, Vet Tech CE)
The Application of Quick Response Codes in Wildlife Sanctuary Husbandry: Implications for Efficiency and Volunteer Experiential Satisfaction
Alison Castillo
Wildlife rehabilitation sanctuaries rely heavily on well-trained and reliable volunteers. Despite this requirement, sanctuaries often struggle to provide adequate training and orientation to newly recruited volunteers. Individuals who donate their time may experience a lack of experiential satisfaction when frustrated by limited access to animal care resources, which has the potential to lead to high volunteer turnover rates, and a subsequent drop in animal husbandry standards. Quick Resource Codes (QRCs) when placed outside ambassador animal enclosures provide a link to abbreviated animal care instructions and serve as a timely reminder for volunteers completing husbandry tasks through smartphone technology. When deployed at a local wildlife rehabilitation sanctuary in coastal North Carolina, the inclusion of QRCs reduced average volunteer error/omission rates dramatically. When surveyed, volunteers expressed the importance of access to pertinent and timely information as a catalyst for their sense of personal satisfaction and a positive volunteer experience. Respondents also expressed a strong belief that resources such as smartphone technology and QRCs are valuable tools for volunteers in a wildlife rehabilitation setting.
Rehabilitating Orphaned Opossums
Melisse Hopping
(Beginner Track, General, Vet Tech CE)
Melisse will cover orphaned opossums from intake to release, including intake procedures, age estimation, and evaluating potential for rehabilitation. She will discuss feeding, handling, housing, and release criteria.
Wild Work as a Nonprofit – Success & Lessons Learned
Kimberly Brewster
Wild Work as a Nonprofit – Success & Lessons Learned: Appalachian Wildlife Refuge – planning, capacity, funding and sustainability. Success lies in a well thought out plan, a strong base, and asking for support. Tips, tools and advice to help anyone involved with supporting a nonprofit.
Mammal Roundtable
Linda Ostrand
Tips and Tricks: All of us have had times where no matter what we do little things go wrong. From clogged opossum feeding tubes to cage cleaning, this round table discussion will allow us to share and question how things we do every day can go better.
(Beginner Track, General, Vet Tech CE)
Labs and Workshops
Mammal Physical Exam Lab
Liz Hyde
This lab teaches the basics of a physical exam for small mammals. Students are provided a dead specimen for hands-on practice. The lab is part of the beginner track and is approved for Vet Tech CE.
(Beginner Track, General, Vet Tech CE)
Sub-Q Fluids Lab
Chloe Baumrin
Subcutaneous injections is the most common route for rehabilitators to give many medications and fluid therapy to the animals in their care. Here's your chance to learn the techniques, common locations, and gain some practice for subcutaneous injections of wild birds and mammals. The lab is part of the beginner track, is appropriate for intermediate rehabilitators who want to learn the technique and is approved for Vet Tech CE.
(Beginner Track, General, Vet Tech CE)
Avian Physical Exam Lab
Mathias Engelmann
The lab teaches the basics of avian anatomy and examination. Students are provided with a dead specimen and an examination form for hands-on practice during the class.
(Wildlife Rehabilitators , Vet Tech CE)
Cage Building Workshop
Kelley Odell
(Beginner Track, General)
Veterinary CE Labs:
Turtle Shell Repair Lab
Dr. Gregory Lewbart
This session will provide hands on experience in the basics of turtle shell fracture repair using non-invasive methods.
(Vet CE, Vet Tech CE, Wildlife Rehabilitators)
Large Bird Bandaging Lab
Mathias Engelmann (Carolina Raptor Center)
The practical lab will include instruction for management of an open fracture; bandaging (wings); splinting (in the form of stabilization).
(Vet CE, Vet Tech CE, Avian Wildlife Rehabilitators)
Songbird Bandaging / Splinting / Supportive Care Lab
Dr. Amber McNamara
The practical lab will include instruction for management of an open
(Vet CE, Vet Tech CE, Avian Wildlife Rehabilitators)
Avian Orthopedics Surgery Lab (veterinarians only)
Dr. David Scott
The two-hour wet lab will use raptor cadavers and participants will repair different fractures of several bones including the humerus, tibiotarsus as well as the ulna/radius, as time allows. The Avian Orthopedics lecture is considered a pre-lab lecture for this wet lab.
(Vet CE)
Avian Necropsy Lab
Dr. Lauren Powers
This hands-on workshop will provide attendees the opportunity to perform necropsies on deceased wild birds of various avian orders in order to be comfortable and confident with performing avian necropsies and physical examinations. A lab handout and necropsy form will be provided. The Avian Anatomy lecture is considered a pre-lab lecture for this wet lab.
(Vet CE, Vet Tech CE, Avian Wildlife Rehabilitators)
Veterinary CE Lectures:
Unlawful Reptile Trade in North Carolina
Sgt. Mark Cagle
(Vet CE, Vet Tech CE, General )
NC Permit Rule Changes
Daron Barnes
(Vet CE, Vet Tech CE, General )
Traditional Chinese Veterinary Applications to Wildlife Medicine
Dr. Amber McNamara
Traditional Chinese veterinary medical therapies, including herbs, acupuncture, and food therapy, have been utilized in the treatment of agricultural and domestic animals for many years and are becoming more recognized as beneficial treatment options for today’s pet owners. The integration of traditional and Eastern therapies may enhance domestic patient care – but how is integrative medicine applicable to wildlife? This lecture will explore the foundations of TCVM and consider how these techniques may be applicable to the variety of wildlife species, injuries, or diseases we encounter. The use of acupuncture, acupressure, aquapuncture, and herbal therapies in wildlife patients will be discussed, along with several case examples.
(Vet CE, Vet Tech CE, General )
Raptor Case Studies
Dr. David Scott
This interactive session will discuss various raptor cases as they presented at Carolina Raptor Center. We will walk thru each case, discuss differential diagnoses and treatments plans and finally, examine the actual outcomes.
(Vet CE, Vet Tech CE, General )
Fawn-napped! Rehabilitating White Tailed Deer
Dr. Kelli Knight
Odocoileus virginianus inhabit the entire contiguous United States minus 2 to 3 states in the west. Each spring, rehabilitators receive “kidnapped” fawns found alone and mistaken for orphans. Public education and return or fostering offers the best chance for survival. When not possible, rehabilitation requires knowledge of natural history, GI anatomy, housing, handling, bottle feeding, rack training and browse. Tips and tricks plus problems including bloat, taming and capture myopathy will be covered. Why rehabilitate fawns? They commonly carry zoonotic diseases like Cryptosporidium and Giardia. Keeping Bambi out of the hands of private citizens provides an important public health service.
(Vet CE, Vet Tech CE, Wildlife Rehabilitators)
Triage/Emergency Response
Dr. Sarah Cannizzo
This presentation provides an introduction to triage and emergency care tailored to wildlife, focusing on triage of the critically ill wildlife patient and initial stabilization techniques.
(Vet CE, Vet Tech CE, General )
Avian Anatomy
Dr. Lauren Powers
This presentation will review the external and internal anatomy of birds as it applies to performing a physical examination and necropsy. Unique anatomic features of birds will be highlighted, as well as features important to know and understand when caring for wild birds. This presentation is also considered a pre-lab lecture for the Avian Necropsy Wet Lab.
(Vet CE, Vet Tech CE, General )
Avian Orthopedics – how to decided what treatment is needed
Dr. David Scott
The avian orthopedics course will include a one-hour lecture that will cover basic principles of avian orthopedic surgery. Specifically, topics covered will include triage, deciding which cases are surgical, what supplies are needed, pre and post-op care as well as a step-by-step overview for repairing each of the most common fractures encountered in wild raptors.
(Vet CE, Vet Tech CE, Avian Wildlife Rehabilitators)
Advanced Neonatal Care
Dr. Jane Christman
This session explores the physiology and husbandry considerations of neonatal animals as they differ from adults and discusses how to best triage neonatal species as they present to a wildlife rehabilitation center or veterinarian.
(Vet CE, Vet Tech CE, General)
Wound Management
Dr. Kate Archibald
(Vet CE, Vet Tech CE, General )
Additional abstracts will be added as they are received.