Lindsey Elswick
Associate Veterinarian
Wellesley Animal Hospital
Substrate Impaction in a Pacman Frog (Ceratophrys sp.)
Dr. Lindsey Elswick is a 2021 graduate from Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary
Medicine. She currently works as an associate veterinarian at Wellesley Animal Hospital in
Richmond, Virginia. While she enjoys seeing all species, she is most passionate about reptile and
amphibian medicine and surgery. When not in the clinic spaying dragons, she can be found outdoors
bird watching or powerlifting.
Associate Veterinarian
Wellesley Animal Hospital
Substrate Impaction in a Pacman Frog (Ceratophrys sp.)
Dr. Lindsey Elswick is a 2021 graduate from Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary
Medicine. She currently works as an associate veterinarian at Wellesley Animal Hospital in
Richmond, Virginia. While she enjoys seeing all species, she is most passionate about reptile and
amphibian medicine and surgery. When not in the clinic spaying dragons, she can be found outdoors
bird watching or powerlifting.
Dieter Everaert
Mvetmed
Dlb Veterinary services
Dieter Everaert graduated at Ghent University in 2004 with mayor small animals and minor exotics. Exotics was about ferrets, rabbits, rodents, birds, reptiles, fish, and amphibians. In December 2004, he started a private practice in Herent. The practice moved to Wilsele in 2013 and to a bigger clinic in Lubbeek in 2022. In 2021 he joined Nesto, a veterinary cooperation in Belgium. At that moment the clinic name was changed to CURIOVET. In 2023 Lennert Pieraets and Britt Nijs joined the practice. Dieter followed numerous cpds all over Europe and the US. He is also a frequent lecturer and already published some papers. He always focused on correct diagnosis before treatment. Because of that Curiovet is the first practice in Belgium with cbct and even inhouse PCR. Dieter is president of the Flemish working group for exotic vets. Since 2021 he is responsible vet for Avalon, the first hedgehog shelter in Belgium.
Mvetmed
Dlb Veterinary services
Dieter Everaert graduated at Ghent University in 2004 with mayor small animals and minor exotics. Exotics was about ferrets, rabbits, rodents, birds, reptiles, fish, and amphibians. In December 2004, he started a private practice in Herent. The practice moved to Wilsele in 2013 and to a bigger clinic in Lubbeek in 2022. In 2021 he joined Nesto, a veterinary cooperation in Belgium. At that moment the clinic name was changed to CURIOVET. In 2023 Lennert Pieraets and Britt Nijs joined the practice. Dieter followed numerous cpds all over Europe and the US. He is also a frequent lecturer and already published some papers. He always focused on correct diagnosis before treatment. Because of that Curiovet is the first practice in Belgium with cbct and even inhouse PCR. Dieter is president of the Flemish working group for exotic vets. Since 2021 he is responsible vet for Avalon, the first hedgehog shelter in Belgium.
Susan Fielder
Clinical Associate Professor
Oklahoma State University
Exotic Animal Hematology Workshop
Exotic Animal Hematology Workshop (REPEAT)
Susan Fielder is a Clinical Associate Professor at Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine with an interest in Exotic Animal Hematology.
Clinical Associate Professor
Oklahoma State University
Exotic Animal Hematology Workshop
Exotic Animal Hematology Workshop (REPEAT)
Susan Fielder is a Clinical Associate Professor at Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine with an interest in Exotic Animal Hematology.
Heidi Free
Associate Veterinarian
Quakertown Veterinary Clinic
Low Incidence of Reported Side Effects Post RHDV-2 Vaccine Administration: 81 Domestic Rabbits
Heidi Free is currently the lead zoological companion veterinarian at Quakertown Veterinary Clinic in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. She completed veterinary school at Kansas State University followed by a rotating internship at the University of Illinois where RHDV-2 vaccination served as her internship project. She is currently working on a Master of Science in Biology through East Stroudsburg University where she is working on characterizing the lipidome profile of American Black Bears. Her interests include zoological and wildlife medicine as well as emergency and critical care.
Associate Veterinarian
Quakertown Veterinary Clinic
Low Incidence of Reported Side Effects Post RHDV-2 Vaccine Administration: 81 Domestic Rabbits
Heidi Free is currently the lead zoological companion veterinarian at Quakertown Veterinary Clinic in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. She completed veterinary school at Kansas State University followed by a rotating internship at the University of Illinois where RHDV-2 vaccination served as her internship project. She is currently working on a Master of Science in Biology through East Stroudsburg University where she is working on characterizing the lipidome profile of American Black Bears. Her interests include zoological and wildlife medicine as well as emergency and critical care.
Meg Freedman
Veterinary Specialty Intern
Veterinarian
Dr. Meg Freedman graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2022. She then went on to complete a rotating small animal internship in Ontario, followed by a specialty internship in exotic animal medicine in New Jersey, and a specialty internship at the Calgary Zoo.
Veterinary Specialty Intern
Veterinarian
Dr. Meg Freedman graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2022. She then went on to complete a rotating small animal internship in Ontario, followed by a specialty internship in exotic animal medicine in New Jersey, and a specialty internship at the Calgary Zoo.
Michael Garner
Veterinary Pathologist
Northwest ZooPath
Gross Lesion Recognition for the Reptile Clinician
Gross Lesion Recognition for the Small Mammal Clinician
Dr. Michael Garner received his DVM from Washington State University in 1987. He practiced in a companion animal/exotic species clinic in Washington State for 4 years before entering a
pathology residency at the University of Florida in 1991. Dr. Garner became board certified in anatomic pathology in 1994, and founded his specialty diagnostic practice, Northwest ZooPath,
that same year. Mike has over 200 scientific publications and book chapters, over 400 professional presentations, and is the co-editor of the new two volume atlas and text, Diseases and
Pathology of Reptiles. He consults for over 100 zoos and approximately 200 private clinics and wildlife facilities. Dr. Garner is also a recipient of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians’
Duane E. Ullrey Achievement Award, the Distinguished Veterinary Alumnus Award from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University, and the Davis Thompson
Foundations’ Robert Farrell Award for Excellence in Teaching. When not working, mike enjoys literature, American history, vintage motorcycles, bass fishing and blues guitar.
Veterinary Pathologist
Northwest ZooPath
Gross Lesion Recognition for the Reptile Clinician
Gross Lesion Recognition for the Small Mammal Clinician
Dr. Michael Garner received his DVM from Washington State University in 1987. He practiced in a companion animal/exotic species clinic in Washington State for 4 years before entering a
pathology residency at the University of Florida in 1991. Dr. Garner became board certified in anatomic pathology in 1994, and founded his specialty diagnostic practice, Northwest ZooPath,
that same year. Mike has over 200 scientific publications and book chapters, over 400 professional presentations, and is the co-editor of the new two volume atlas and text, Diseases and
Pathology of Reptiles. He consults for over 100 zoos and approximately 200 private clinics and wildlife facilities. Dr. Garner is also a recipient of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians’
Duane E. Ullrey Achievement Award, the Distinguished Veterinary Alumnus Award from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University, and the Davis Thompson
Foundations’ Robert Farrell Award for Excellence in Teaching. When not working, mike enjoys literature, American history, vintage motorcycles, bass fishing and blues guitar.
Melissa Giese
Associate Veterinarian
Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital
Successful Treatment of Encephalitozoon pogonae Infection in a Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps) with Systemic Fenbendazole and Meloxicam
Melissa Giese is a 2017 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. Since earning her degree, she has dedicated her career exclusively to the field of exotic animal medicine. Dr. Giese currently practices at Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital in Skokie, Illinois, where she provides care for a wide range of exotic species. In addition to her clinical work, she serves as an active member of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) at Elmhurst College. She is also committed to veterinary education, regularly lecturing on reptile and amphibian medicine to veterinary students.
Associate Veterinarian
Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital
Successful Treatment of Encephalitozoon pogonae Infection in a Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps) with Systemic Fenbendazole and Meloxicam
Melissa Giese is a 2017 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. Since earning her degree, she has dedicated her career exclusively to the field of exotic animal medicine. Dr. Giese currently practices at Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital in Skokie, Illinois, where she provides care for a wide range of exotic species. In addition to her clinical work, she serves as an active member of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) at Elmhurst College. She is also committed to veterinary education, regularly lecturing on reptile and amphibian medicine to veterinary students.
Sayrah Gilbert
Associate Veterinarian
Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital
Elective Surgical Altering of Exotic Companion Mammals
Dr. Gilbert is originally from Houston, Texas, and completed veterinary school at St. George
University with her clinical year at the University of Illinois. She completed a small animal
rotating internship at the Angell Animal Medical Center, an avian and exotic specialty internship
at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists, and a wildlife specialty internship with the National
Wildlife Centre of Canada. She completed her exotic companion mammal residency at the Avian and
Exotic Animal Clinic of Indianapolis in 2024, and is currently working at the Arizona Exotic Animal
Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona.
Associate Veterinarian
Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital
Elective Surgical Altering of Exotic Companion Mammals
Dr. Gilbert is originally from Houston, Texas, and completed veterinary school at St. George
University with her clinical year at the University of Illinois. She completed a small animal
rotating internship at the Angell Animal Medical Center, an avian and exotic specialty internship
at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists, and a wildlife specialty internship with the National
Wildlife Centre of Canada. She completed her exotic companion mammal residency at the Avian and
Exotic Animal Clinic of Indianapolis in 2024, and is currently working at the Arizona Exotic Animal
Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona.