Debbie Sykes
Er veterinary nurse
Veterinary emergency group
How to Train Your Dragon (and other exotics)
Case Studies of Physical Therapy in Eastern Box Turtles with Spinal Trauma
What the Hay-ck!
Debbie has been a wildlife rehabilitator since 2012 in Nashville, playing every role from volunteer to educator and trainer to director. She is currently a wildlife and zoological companion animal veterinary technician for the teaching hospital, Midwestern University. Previous roles include the Director of Nashville Wildlife Conservation, Assistant Animal Care Director at Walden’s Puddle Rehabilitation Center, a Behavior Technician for Veterinary Behavior Solutions, and a Hoofstock intern at the Nashville Zoo. Debbie graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, and Volunteer State Community College with an Associate's in Veterinary Technology. Her career experiences have led her to focus on bringing awareness and increasing the quality of care for wildlife patients and educational ambassadors. She is always learning more and encourages others to always ask questions.
Er veterinary nurse
Veterinary emergency group
How to Train Your Dragon (and other exotics)
Case Studies of Physical Therapy in Eastern Box Turtles with Spinal Trauma
What the Hay-ck!
Debbie has been a wildlife rehabilitator since 2012 in Nashville, playing every role from volunteer to educator and trainer to director. She is currently a wildlife and zoological companion animal veterinary technician for the teaching hospital, Midwestern University. Previous roles include the Director of Nashville Wildlife Conservation, Assistant Animal Care Director at Walden’s Puddle Rehabilitation Center, a Behavior Technician for Veterinary Behavior Solutions, and a Hoofstock intern at the Nashville Zoo. Debbie graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, and Volunteer State Community College with an Associate's in Veterinary Technology. Her career experiences have led her to focus on bringing awareness and increasing the quality of care for wildlife patients and educational ambassadors. She is always learning more and encourages others to always ask questions.
Zoltan Szabo
Gastrointestinal Surgery of Rabbits and Rodents
Clinical Description of Gastric Volvulus in Domestic Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus): 18 Cases
Dr Zoltan graduated from the University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary, in 2002. He began his career at his alma mater as a clinician and lecturer, eventually becoming head of the
Exotic Division and coordinating studies on Exotic Animal Diseases. Seeking to further his expertise, he moved to the UK, where he worked at London’s only exotic animal referral centre. Since
2010, Dr Szabo has been based in Hong Kong and has led Concordia Exotics, the region’s premier exotic pet hospital.
Dr Szabo holds five specialist qualifications in exotic animal medicine. In the USA, he is a diplomate of the American College of Zoological Medicine and a triple-boarded diplomate of the
American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Reptile and Amphibian Practice, Avian Practice and Exotic Companion Mammal Practice). In the UK, he is a Specialist of the Royal College of
Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in Zoo & Wildlife Medicine and also a Fellow of the RCVS.
As founder of the Exotic Veterinary Academy, Dr Szabo delivers practical, evidence-based resources to veterinary professionals worldwide, empowering colleagues to provide advanced care for
birds, reptiles, and small mammals. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the City University of Hong Kong and has conducted research and worked as a wildlife veterinarian in nine countries across
four continents.
Gastrointestinal Surgery of Rabbits and Rodents
Clinical Description of Gastric Volvulus in Domestic Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus): 18 Cases
Dr Zoltan graduated from the University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary, in 2002. He began his career at his alma mater as a clinician and lecturer, eventually becoming head of the
Exotic Division and coordinating studies on Exotic Animal Diseases. Seeking to further his expertise, he moved to the UK, where he worked at London’s only exotic animal referral centre. Since
2010, Dr Szabo has been based in Hong Kong and has led Concordia Exotics, the region’s premier exotic pet hospital.
Dr Szabo holds five specialist qualifications in exotic animal medicine. In the USA, he is a diplomate of the American College of Zoological Medicine and a triple-boarded diplomate of the
American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Reptile and Amphibian Practice, Avian Practice and Exotic Companion Mammal Practice). In the UK, he is a Specialist of the Royal College of
Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in Zoo & Wildlife Medicine and also a Fellow of the RCVS.
As founder of the Exotic Veterinary Academy, Dr Szabo delivers practical, evidence-based resources to veterinary professionals worldwide, empowering colleagues to provide advanced care for
birds, reptiles, and small mammals. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the City University of Hong Kong and has conducted research and worked as a wildlife veterinarian in nine countries across
four continents.
Danielle Tarbert
Assistant Clinical Professor
University of Tennessee
Evidence-based updates in reptilian husbandry
Danielle Tarbert is an assistant clinical professor of zoological companion animal medicine at the
University of Tennessee - Knoxville. Her roles at UT include clinical and didactic teaching,
research, supporting the Healthy Trade Insitute, and mentoring students and residents. Dr. Tarbert
is board certified by the American College of Zoological Medicine.
Assistant Clinical Professor
University of Tennessee
Evidence-based updates in reptilian husbandry
Danielle Tarbert is an assistant clinical professor of zoological companion animal medicine at the
University of Tennessee - Knoxville. Her roles at UT include clinical and didactic teaching,
research, supporting the Healthy Trade Insitute, and mentoring students and residents. Dr. Tarbert
is board certified by the American College of Zoological Medicine.
Joshua T. Butcher
Assistant Professor
Department of Physiological Sciences, , College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University
Comparison of two methods for analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in turtle plasma
Assistant Professor
Department of Physiological Sciences, , College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University
Comparison of two methods for analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in turtle plasma
Alissa Tepedino
Associate Veterinarian
Avian and Exotic Animal Care
How to Intubate Almost Any Exotic Companion Mammal
Alotl Information about Axolotls
Dr. Alissa Tepedino received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University in 2019. She
has worked at Avian and Exotic Animal Care in Raleigh, NC since 2020, where her caseload is
exclusively exotic pets, fish, and wildlife. In 2021 she was credentialed as a Certified Aquatic
Veterinarian through WAVMA and she is currently working towards ABVP board specialization in
reptile and amphibian medicine.
Associate Veterinarian
Avian and Exotic Animal Care
How to Intubate Almost Any Exotic Companion Mammal
Alotl Information about Axolotls
Dr. Alissa Tepedino received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University in 2019. She
has worked at Avian and Exotic Animal Care in Raleigh, NC since 2020, where her caseload is
exclusively exotic pets, fish, and wildlife. In 2021 she was credentialed as a Certified Aquatic
Veterinarian through WAVMA and she is currently working towards ABVP board specialization in
reptile and amphibian medicine.
Miranda Thomas
Center for Bird and Exotic Animal Medicine
Reptile CPR - What Do We Know?
How to Scan Your Dragon: A Practical Approach to Bearded Dragon Ultrasounds
Center for Bird and Exotic Animal Medicine
Reptile CPR - What Do We Know?
How to Scan Your Dragon: A Practical Approach to Bearded Dragon Ultrasounds
Fred Torpy
Pharmacokinetic and safety evaluation of subcutaneous robenacoxib in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus)
Evidence-Based Medicine For New Grads: Resources For New Exotic Animal Vets
Fred Torpy is currently a zoological companion animal resident at the University of Wisconsin-
Madison. He completed veterinary school at the University of Georgia and a small animal rotating
internship at Colorado State University. Before starting residency, he spent time out in private
practice working in emergency medicine, general practice, and doing volunteer work abroad.
Pharmacokinetic and safety evaluation of subcutaneous robenacoxib in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus)
Evidence-Based Medicine For New Grads: Resources For New Exotic Animal Vets
Fred Torpy is currently a zoological companion animal resident at the University of Wisconsin-
Madison. He completed veterinary school at the University of Georgia and a small animal rotating
internship at Colorado State University. Before starting residency, he spent time out in private
practice working in emergency medicine, general practice, and doing volunteer work abroad.
Becca Tritt
Veterinary Technician
Exotics Animal Hospital of PA
Tiny Tenants, Big Responsibilities: Rodent Husbandry
Veterinary Technician
Exotics Animal Hospital of PA
Tiny Tenants, Big Responsibilities: Rodent Husbandry
Gigi Tsontos
Beyond Burnout: The Science of Resilience in Veterinary Medicine
Gigi Tsontos is a licensed clinical social worker and the CEO of Not One More Vet. With over two decades of experience in nonprofit and mental health arenas, Gigi brings a lens to the issue of veterinary wellbeing that supports prevention and intervention. After college Gigi volunteered with the Peace Corps in West Africa returning to complete her MSW at Columbia University and later an MPA at San Diego State University. She lives in Kansas with her partner and five four leggeds -- three boston terriers and two cats. She can be reached at gtsontos@nomv.org or gigi@gigitsontos.com
Beyond Burnout: The Science of Resilience in Veterinary Medicine
Gigi Tsontos is a licensed clinical social worker and the CEO of Not One More Vet. With over two decades of experience in nonprofit and mental health arenas, Gigi brings a lens to the issue of veterinary wellbeing that supports prevention and intervention. After college Gigi volunteered with the Peace Corps in West Africa returning to complete her MSW at Columbia University and later an MPA at San Diego State University. She lives in Kansas with her partner and five four leggeds -- three boston terriers and two cats. She can be reached at gtsontos@nomv.org or gigi@gigitsontos.com
Kristen Turner
Veterinarian/Owner
The Exotic Vet Consultant
Anatomy and Physiology Quirks You Need to Know to Treat Reptiles
Cytology, Sample Collection, Clinical Pathology of Reptiles and Exotic Companion Mammals
Name that Zoonosis
Hormones Gone Wild: When Ferret Adrenals Misbehave
Dr. Kristen Turner is a board-certified specialist in Exotic Companion Mammal Practice and the
founder of The Exotic Vet Consultant, where she helps veterinarians build confidence caring for
birds, reptiles, and small mammals in general and emergency practice. Through her RACE-approved
course Exotic Vet Med Essentials, live webinars, and national speaking engagements, she equips
clinicians with practical tools they can apply immediately in the exam room. She also serves as an
exotics teleconsultant for VEG ER for Pets and travels for relief work in exotic-focused practices,
supporting teams managing complex cases in real time. She is passionate about helping veterinarians
move from uncertainty to clarity in exotic medicine.
Veterinarian/Owner
The Exotic Vet Consultant
Anatomy and Physiology Quirks You Need to Know to Treat Reptiles
Cytology, Sample Collection, Clinical Pathology of Reptiles and Exotic Companion Mammals
Name that Zoonosis
Hormones Gone Wild: When Ferret Adrenals Misbehave
Dr. Kristen Turner is a board-certified specialist in Exotic Companion Mammal Practice and the
founder of The Exotic Vet Consultant, where she helps veterinarians build confidence caring for
birds, reptiles, and small mammals in general and emergency practice. Through her RACE-approved
course Exotic Vet Med Essentials, live webinars, and national speaking engagements, she equips
clinicians with practical tools they can apply immediately in the exam room. She also serves as an
exotics teleconsultant for VEG ER for Pets and travels for relief work in exotic-focused practices,
supporting teams managing complex cases in real time. She is passionate about helping veterinarians
move from uncertainty to clarity in exotic medicine.