Justin Hicks RVT
Zoological Medicine Technician
Oklahoma State University
Do's and Dont's of Mammal Imaging
My name is Justin Hicks. I received my Registered Veterinary Technician in 2015 and started at Oklahoma State University that same year and have been there 10yrs. 5 years in the anesthesia department doing small, large, and exotics anesthesia. A year in small animal surgery and going on 4 years in the Zoological Medicine Service.
Zoological Medicine Technician
Oklahoma State University
Do's and Dont's of Mammal Imaging
My name is Justin Hicks. I received my Registered Veterinary Technician in 2015 and started at Oklahoma State University that same year and have been there 10yrs. 5 years in the anesthesia department doing small, large, and exotics anesthesia. A year in small animal surgery and going on 4 years in the Zoological Medicine Service.
Rachel Hirota
Retrospective Study of Peri-Anesthetic Mortalities in Rabbits at a Teaching Hospital (2015-2024)
Rachel Hirota graduated from the University of California-Davis with a BS in Animal Science. Past research projects include seabird phenology, personality in Wood Ducks, and pharmacodynamics in Great Horned Owls. She has held several student leadership positions in the Wildlife and Aquatic Animal Medicine Club, Behavior Medicine and Animal Welfare Club, and Knights Landing One Health Center Veterinary Clinic at the University of California-Davis. She is a member of the student committee of the Association of Avian Veterinarians and a student associate editor at AVMA Publications. Currently, she is a dual-degree DVM and Masters of Preventative Veterinary Medicine candidate at the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.
Retrospective Study of Peri-Anesthetic Mortalities in Rabbits at a Teaching Hospital (2015-2024)
Rachel Hirota graduated from the University of California-Davis with a BS in Animal Science. Past research projects include seabird phenology, personality in Wood Ducks, and pharmacodynamics in Great Horned Owls. She has held several student leadership positions in the Wildlife and Aquatic Animal Medicine Club, Behavior Medicine and Animal Welfare Club, and Knights Landing One Health Center Veterinary Clinic at the University of California-Davis. She is a member of the student committee of the Association of Avian Veterinarians and a student associate editor at AVMA Publications. Currently, she is a dual-degree DVM and Masters of Preventative Veterinary Medicine candidate at the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.
Jessica Hokamp
Assistant Prof
Texas A&M
Clinical Associate Professor
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology
Co Director, International Veterinary Renal Pathology Service
Assistant Prof
Texas A&M
Clinical Associate Professor
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology
Co Director, International Veterinary Renal Pathology Service
Jay Hreiz
Owner, Veterinarian
Queen City Animal Hospital, PLLC
Common Rabbit and Guinea Pig Breeds for the Private Practice Veterinarian
Dr. Jay Hreiz is a 2008 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine with a strong passion for exotic animal medicine. After moving to Charlotte, North Carolina, he spent five years as an associate at Ebenezer Animal Hospital in Rock Hill, South Carolina, before becoming a practice owner in 2013. In 2019, he founded Queen City Animal Hospital, which has since grown into a thriving multi-doctor practice with a dedicated focus on exotic companion animals. A lifelong advocate for veterinary education, Dr. Hreiz has mentored numerous externs, three of whom have joined his practice with a focus on exotic animal medicine. In addition to his clinical work, he is a licensed American Rabbit Breeders Association judge, actively participating in local, national, and international rabbit shows.
Owner, Veterinarian
Queen City Animal Hospital, PLLC
Common Rabbit and Guinea Pig Breeds for the Private Practice Veterinarian
Dr. Jay Hreiz is a 2008 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine with a strong passion for exotic animal medicine. After moving to Charlotte, North Carolina, he spent five years as an associate at Ebenezer Animal Hospital in Rock Hill, South Carolina, before becoming a practice owner in 2013. In 2019, he founded Queen City Animal Hospital, which has since grown into a thriving multi-doctor practice with a dedicated focus on exotic companion animals. A lifelong advocate for veterinary education, Dr. Hreiz has mentored numerous externs, three of whom have joined his practice with a focus on exotic animal medicine. In addition to his clinical work, he is a licensed American Rabbit Breeders Association judge, actively participating in local, national, and international rabbit shows.
Desiree HUNG
Veterinary Student
City University of Hong Kong
Final year veterinary student at the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences at the City University of Hong Kong.
Veterinary Student
City University of Hong Kong
Final year veterinary student at the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences at the City University of Hong Kong.
Brenna Hurley
Animal Emergency Service
The Forgotten Electrolyte: Clinical Significance of Plasma Magnesium Concentrations in Pet Rabbits
Brenna is a 2023 graduate from the Ontario Veterinary College in Canada. After graduating, she completed a small animal rotating internship at Cornell University where she pursued electives in exotics, wildlife, aquarium, and zoo medicine, as well as began the research you’ll hear about today. Following her internship, she worked in GP and emergency back home in Canada, but being an avid traveller and still passionate about treating the unusual creatures, it wasn’t long before she moved to Australia. Now based in Brisbane, Brenna works primarily as an emergency veterinarian at a clinic that will see exotics and triage wildlife, and also volunteers at the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital.
Animal Emergency Service
The Forgotten Electrolyte: Clinical Significance of Plasma Magnesium Concentrations in Pet Rabbits
Brenna is a 2023 graduate from the Ontario Veterinary College in Canada. After graduating, she completed a small animal rotating internship at Cornell University where she pursued electives in exotics, wildlife, aquarium, and zoo medicine, as well as began the research you’ll hear about today. Following her internship, she worked in GP and emergency back home in Canada, but being an avid traveller and still passionate about treating the unusual creatures, it wasn’t long before she moved to Australia. Now based in Brisbane, Brenna works primarily as an emergency veterinarian at a clinic that will see exotics and triage wildlife, and also volunteers at the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital.
MINH-THI HUYNH
Nacologie
CT-Scan Findings in Rabbit Maxillofacial Abscess: New data on a Classic Disease
Minh Huynh is currently the head of Exotic service at CHV Frégis, the largest veterinary hospital in France. He is boarded from the European College of Zoological Medicine (specialty Avian) and the American College of Zoological Medicine. He was a staff clinician at UC Davis and worked for numerous places in France.
Nacologie
CT-Scan Findings in Rabbit Maxillofacial Abscess: New data on a Classic Disease
Minh Huynh is currently the head of Exotic service at CHV Frégis, the largest veterinary hospital in France. He is boarded from the European College of Zoological Medicine (specialty Avian) and the American College of Zoological Medicine. He was a staff clinician at UC Davis and worked for numerous places in France.
ELIZABETH HYDE
Associate Veterinarian
Center for Bird and Exotics Animal Medicine
Rehabilitation and Non-Chemical Pain Management in Exotic Companion Mammals
Eyeballs on Fire: Uveitis in Exotic Companion Mammals, Reptiles, and Amphibians
Those Weren’t Mice! A Ball Python’s Accidental Ingestion of HotHands® Hand Warmers
Dr. Hyde grew up in North Carolina. Dr. Hyde attended North Carolina State University, for both her undergraduate degree and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, which she earned in 2017. She completed a small animal rotating internship at Kansas State University. She then completed an exotic pet medicine and surgery internship at Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital. She is now an associate vet with the Center for Bird and Exotic Animal Medicine in Bothell, WA. In the spring of 2025, Dr. Hyde became a certified veterinary acupuncturist through Chi University.
Associate Veterinarian
Center for Bird and Exotics Animal Medicine
Rehabilitation and Non-Chemical Pain Management in Exotic Companion Mammals
Eyeballs on Fire: Uveitis in Exotic Companion Mammals, Reptiles, and Amphibians
Those Weren’t Mice! A Ball Python’s Accidental Ingestion of HotHands® Hand Warmers
Dr. Hyde grew up in North Carolina. Dr. Hyde attended North Carolina State University, for both her undergraduate degree and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, which she earned in 2017. She completed a small animal rotating internship at Kansas State University. She then completed an exotic pet medicine and surgery internship at Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital. She is now an associate vet with the Center for Bird and Exotic Animal Medicine in Bothell, WA. In the spring of 2025, Dr. Hyde became a certified veterinary acupuncturist through Chi University.
Marley Iredale
Anatomic Pathologist
Northwest Zoopath
A Case of Hepatozoonosis in a Mexican Black Kingsnake (lampropeltis getula nigrita)
Gross Lesion Recognition for the Reptile Clinician
Gross Lesion Recognition for the Small Mammal Clinician
Dr. Iredale earned her bachelor’s and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees from Washington State University. Following her clinical internship at a private specialty hospital, Dr. Iredale was admitted to the Anatomic Pathology residency program at the University of Florida. After obtaining her board certification, Dr. Iredale pursued a master’s degree in Entomology from the University of Florida. Dr. Iredale is passionate about wildlife conservation and preserving zoo and exotic animal species.
Anatomic Pathologist
Northwest Zoopath
A Case of Hepatozoonosis in a Mexican Black Kingsnake (lampropeltis getula nigrita)
Gross Lesion Recognition for the Reptile Clinician
Gross Lesion Recognition for the Small Mammal Clinician
Dr. Iredale earned her bachelor’s and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees from Washington State University. Following her clinical internship at a private specialty hospital, Dr. Iredale was admitted to the Anatomic Pathology residency program at the University of Florida. After obtaining her board certification, Dr. Iredale pursued a master’s degree in Entomology from the University of Florida. Dr. Iredale is passionate about wildlife conservation and preserving zoo and exotic animal species.
Kristopher Irizarry
Kristopher Irizarry is an upper division statistics student who has volunteered their time to assist in the statistical analysis for this study.
Kristopher Irizarry is an upper division statistics student who has volunteered their time to assist in the statistical analysis for this study.
Jo Jarred
Exotic Species and the Shelter System
Dr. Jarred is the Medical Director & Veterinarian for Orange County Animal Services in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Dr. Jarred graduated from North Carolina State University in 2017 with a focus in Zoological Medicine. After working in private practice for three years, Dr. Jarred transitioned to shelter medicine in 2020. Dr. Jarred completed a Master of Science in Shelter Medicine through the University of Florida in 2023 and now works as an adjunct professor for the university as well as performing relief work in emergency clinics. Dr. Jarred is currently participating in the ASPCA's Practitioner Pathway Mentorship Program with the goal of becoming boarded in Shelter Medicine. Dr. Jarred’s interest lies with the care of non-traditional species in a shelter setting, bridging the gap between animal shelter organizations and veterinary professionals, and increasing efficiency of sheltering operations.
Exotic Species and the Shelter System
Dr. Jarred is the Medical Director & Veterinarian for Orange County Animal Services in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Dr. Jarred graduated from North Carolina State University in 2017 with a focus in Zoological Medicine. After working in private practice for three years, Dr. Jarred transitioned to shelter medicine in 2020. Dr. Jarred completed a Master of Science in Shelter Medicine through the University of Florida in 2023 and now works as an adjunct professor for the university as well as performing relief work in emergency clinics. Dr. Jarred is currently participating in the ASPCA's Practitioner Pathway Mentorship Program with the goal of becoming boarded in Shelter Medicine. Dr. Jarred’s interest lies with the care of non-traditional species in a shelter setting, bridging the gap between animal shelter organizations and veterinary professionals, and increasing efficiency of sheltering operations.