Author Archives: Maison Scheuer

Dr. Jennifer Bloodgood’s Journey to Becoming a Wildlife Veterinarian

  By Maison Scheuer • October 11, 2023

Do you ever wonder about the approach certain wildlife veterinarians took to get to where they are today? Well, I was fortunate enough to chat with Dr. Jennifer Bloodgood over coffee recently to do just that. In November 2022, Dr. Bloodgood was hired as an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Department of Public and Ecosystem Health in the College of Veterinary Medicine, and as a wildlife veterinarian with the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab, part of the New York State Wildlife Health Program. Through these two positions, Dr. Bloodgood essentially gets to work on, “anything and everything wildlife health oriented for the state of New York.” How cool! Since immersing herself in the CVM community almost a year ago, she has had such a positive impact, especially for students who have dreams of following in her footsteps. In writing this post, I hope to convey her inspirational nature as I share about her pathway to becoming a wildlife veterinarian.

Dr. Bloodgood pursued a career in veterinary medicine after obtaining both a Bachelor and Master of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology at Clemson University in South Carolina. After finishing her master’s degree, she worked at the University of Georgia as a research technician where she got to study both harmful algae management and the disease of Avian Vacuolar Myelinopathy. Following her interests in wildlife health and disease, Dr. Bloodgood also worked in the Aquatic Epidemiology Lab at North Carolina State University where she studied endangered freshwater mussel species. Through this job, she not only got to snorkel in local creeks, but she also learned how to manage and propagate endangered species. Dr. Bloodgood then got recruited to work as a veterinary assistant at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences where she assisted in the medical management, health care, and husbandry of hundreds of collection animals. While at the museum, she also developed and delivered education programs for undergraduate students, interns, and volunteers. It was here that Dr. Bloodgood realized how much she loves veterinary medicine, and that she really enjoys educating.

Following her new-found passion, Dr. Bloodgood attended the University of Georgia for 7 years to complete a dual DVM-PhD degree. She finished her PhD during her first semester of vet school, which was completed in Integrative Conservation, a program focused on integrating natural and social sciences with conservation. For her dissertation, Dr. Bloodgood evaluated the nutritional status of rehabilitated green sea turtles at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and compared it to that of a wild population in Florida. Through this research, she found that feeding squid and fish to captive green sea turtles, as opposed to a vegetarian diet, was associated with obesity and fatty liver disease, as well as high cholesterol and an inverted calcium/phosphorus ratio. She concluded that feeding a vegetarian diet to rehabbed green sea turtles is better for their health than feeding them seafood, which she terms, “the mac and cheese of sea turtles.”

Once Dr. Bloodgood graduated from the University of Georgia, she got to combine her passion for research and aquatic veterinary medicine by securing a job as a research veterinarian at Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) in Alabama (the same place I did my first dolphin necropsy)! Here, Dr. Bloodgood served as a network veterinarian involved in live animal response and necropsy of cetaceans and manatees with the Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network and Manatee Sighting Network. During her time at DISL, Dr. Bloodgood worked with the ALMMSN team to study the effects of freshwater on bottlenose dolphins that entered Mobile Bay, a nearby estuary. They discovered that it was a less than ideal environment for them, often inciting skin lesions, and even death. The team also studied the effects of cold stress on manatees in response to climate change. In their natural behavior, manatees should migrate from Alabama to Florida during cold months, but due to increasing temperatures, they are sticking around longer than they should, which has sadly increased their morbidity and mortality. Despite there being a lot of necropsy and pathology involved in her first job, it is the veterinary work that she is most proud of. At DISL, she developed her skills as both a veterinarian and scientist and got to work with some of the world’s most magnificent marine mammals, including a sperm whale, which to her was a life-changing experience.

In fact, Dr. Bloodgood was not even looking to change jobs, but when she saw that Cornell University was hiring, she thought, “it was me in a job description.” She really appreciated all the time she got to spend working with marine mammals, but she was excited for an opportunity to once again practice as a generalist by working with birds, reptiles, and mammals, in addition to marine mammals. She was also really excited about the education aspect of the job, afterall she loves teaching students who share her drive to facilitate conservation and disease management through the lens of veterinary medicine.

Dr. Bloodgood enjoys working in interdisciplinary teams to tackle real-world issues, and she believes her current pos  ition allows her to do just that. Even though I only met with Dr. Bloodgood for a brief period, I could tell that she is a perfect fit for the roles she has acquired within the CVM and the New York State Wildlife Health Program. Her passion for wildlife and conservation is contagious, and her journey towards becoming a wildlife veterinarian is certainly inspiring.

In parting ways, I asked Dr. Bloodgood what advice she has for students interested in pursuing a similar career path, and she said, “don’t be afraid to open the door.” Dr. Bloodgood encourages all her students to network – she stresses the importance of meeting people in the field by attending conferences and seeking externships. And while doing so, she recommends following opportunities that one may have never thought of before. For instance, Dr. Bloodgood started her first job after vet school not knowing a lot about marine mammals, but she was excited to try it, and she believes that her curiosity and open-mindedness is what got her to where she is today – and we are fortunate that that is here with us at the CVM!

Maison Scheuer is the 2022-2023 WildLIFE Blog Editor and a proud member of Cornell ZAWS. Her passions lie at the intersection of veterinary medicine and wildlife conservation. She loves to travel and has spent time in Canada, Thailand, Alabama, Belize, and Honduras where she studied Columbian ground squirrels, elephant conservation, wildlife rehabilitation, and veterinary medicine. Though particularly interested in One Health and international medicine, she has also discovered a love for small animal medicine through her experience working as a veterinary technician at a full-service exotics and small animal private practice.

Meet Dr. Matt Marinkovich – Our 17th Biannual Special Species Symposium Keynote Speaker!

  By Maison Scheuer • March 14, 2023

The Zoo and Wildlife Society (ZAWS) at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine is so excited to welcome Dr. Matt Marinkovich as the keynote speaker for the 17th biannual Special Species Symposium, the purpose for which is to foster students’ educational experience related to non-traditional species through a series of lectures and hands-on labs led by experts in the fields of wildlife, exotics, zoo, and conservation medicine. Dr. Marinkovich obtained his veterinary degree from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2014, and once held a position on the ZAWS E-board planning the exact same symposium where he will now give his keynote address, “From LH2 to the San Diego Zoo: Lessons from a Journey into Zoo Medicine.”

One of the many aspects Dr. Marinkovich valued about his education at Cornell University was the depth and breadth. He acknowledged some students’ desire to specialize and narrow their education to non-traditional species but confirmed that so much more can come from a diverse education. In fact, Dr. Marinkovich confessed that he still frequently integrates knowledge that he gained during his fourth-year large animal internal medicine rotation into his treatment plans at the San Diego Zoo. “A diverse education not only offers ample opportunities to gain good doctoring skills, but it allows one the opportunity to fall in love with a field of study that perhaps was never considered prior to vet school.” Afterall, in zoological medicine, he states, “everything is applicable.”

Keeping an open mind has always been important to Dr. Marinkovich because, “you may become enamored by something you never knew you would.” In fact, Dr. Marinkovich was a natural history major in undergrad, and it was not until he obtained a job as a veterinary assistant that he fell in love with medicine. When asked about what motivated him to pursue a career in veterinary medicine, Dr. Marinkovich remembered being blown away by all the problem-solving veterinarians get to do on a daily basis. He also latched onto the idea that veterinary medicine would not only enable him to help animals, but the people who interact with them as well. From studying zoonotic disease, to counseling owners through a clinical case, Dr. Marinkovich enjoyed how much veterinary medicine would allow him to support human and animal welfare.

Although Dr. Marinkovich kept his options open throughout vet school, he always had a special interest for non-domestic species. He specifically had a passion for wildlife and conservation and following an opportunity to spend a summer with a pathologist at SeaWorld, he knew that zoological medicine was the career for him. The more exposure to exotic species that Dr. Marinkovich got, the more he realized he enjoyed the challenge of coming up with creative solutions to manage their health. Dr. Marinkovich also admired zoological medicine as a student because he recognized that it would provide a chance to stimulate a passion for conservation among his community while still managing chronic disease, as well as high-pace, high-intensity clinical cases.

While Dr. Marinkovich eventually obtained his dream job working as a Clinical Veterinarian at the San Diego Zoo, a place where his grandparents took him since he could walk, he wants to be transparent that his road to success was not a straight shot. He did not match with a zoo residency the first time he applied, which he acknowledged as part of his triumph. Instead of becoming discouraged, Dr. Marinkovich viewed this as an opportunity, one that he took to complete two internships at the Animal Medical Center, the world’s largest non-profit animal hospital. Through his rotating small animal internship, Dr. Marinkovich gained clinical experience and client communication skills that he still uses today. However, it was not until his second internship in emergency and critical care medicine that Dr. Marinkovich was pushed out of his comfort zone, where he admittedly learned and grew the most, and gained confidence in himself as a veterinarian. Through this high-pressure experience, with his feet to the fire, Dr. Marinkovich realized that he had what it would take to be a zoological veterinarian.

Excitingly, and with persistence, Dr. Marinkovich matched with the UC Davis San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Sea World Zoo Residency, an intense 3-year program offering clinical competency in exotic, zoo, aquatic, and wildlife medicine. During his first year, he spent a lot of time at the Sacramento Zoo and the Marine Mammal Center where he got to study lactate clearance in stranded pinnipeds. His second year was spent with some of the 12,000 rare and endangered species living within the 100-acre wildlife park at the San Diego Zoo, as well as the wide array of aquatic animals cared for by SeaWorld. During his third and final year, he used his cultivated knowledge to provide innovative, state of the art care for the magnificent animals at the San Diego Safari Park, including elephants, rhinos, and cheetahs.

After completing his residency, Dr. Marinkovich was pleased to stay at the San Diego Zoo working as a relief veterinarian. Then, much to his delight, he was offered a full-time position at the San Diego Zoo, where he expects to stay for life. Some may wonder how someone could be so willing to stay in the same work environment for so long, but no day is ever the same for Dr. Marinkovich at the San Diego Zoo. There are still times when he is presented with a new problem or a new species, offering an opportunity to learn something new every day. The constant intellectual stimulation offered by the San Diego Zoo is complemented by the excellent team of veterinarians who work there. When asked what he most enjoys about his job, Dr. Marinkovich mentioned the inspiring group of veterinary professionals that he gets to work with every day who support one another’s growth and wellbeing. Furthermore, he appreciates how interdisciplinary and collaborative the efforts of the San Diego Zoo are, recalling a time when the veterinary team worked closely with human doctors to resolve a complicated renal abscess on an older beloved orangutan.

 

Another aspect of the San Diego Zoo that Dr. Marinkovich greatly appreciates is the myriad opportunities to get involved with conservation initiatives. He has been all over the world, investing time and energy towards making it a more sustainable place to live, for both humans and animals. The San Diego Zoo has 8 different conservation hubs located throughout the world that share responsibilities such as disease investigation, biodiversity banking, and recovery ecology. In an uplifting effort through a captive breeding and release program designed by the San Diego Zoo, Dr. Marinkovich and his team are helping save the San Clemente loggerhead shrike, an endangered passerine bird. Dr. Marinkovich tells readers to stay tuned for more exciting conservation stories offered during his keynote address at the Special Species Symposium!

Dr. Marinkovich is thrilled to come back to Cornell University and looks forward to seeing how it has changed since graduating in 2014. He is really looking forward to reconnecting with his vet school mentors, namely Dr. Noha Abou-Madi and Dr. Karen Kerns, who both play such an important role in the lives of students interested in pursuing zoological medicine. But, perhaps most notably, Dr. Marinkovich is eager to interact with vet students who share his drive to make a difference in the world through the lens of veterinary medicine. It was not that long ago that Dr. Marinkovich was an aspiring zoo vet like many of us, so he recognizes the stress and hard work that goes into actualizing that dream. Through his lecture, he hopes to convey excitement, ambition, and peace of mind, being a huge proponent for mental health in veterinary medicine. I felt so inspired by Dr. Marinkovich in just the short while I got to spend interviewing him for the WildLIFE Blog, an interaction I consider myself lucky to have had. Be sure to register for the 17th biannual Special Species Symposium so that you can relish in his journey towards becoming a Clinical Veterinarian at the San Diego Zoo, a story that will fill you with admiration, motivation, and awe.

 

 

Maison Scheuer is the 2022-2023 WildLIFE Blog Editor and a proud member of Cornell ZAWS. Her passions lie at the intersection of veterinary medicine and wildlife conservation. She loves to travel and has spent time in Canada, Thailand, Alabama, Belize, and Honduras where she studied Columbian ground squirrels, elephant conservation, wildlife rehabilitation, and veterinary medicine. Though particularly interested in One Health and international medicine, she has also discovered a love for small animal medicine through her experience working as a veterinary technician at a full-service exotics and small animal private practice.

You Better Belize It

  By Maison Scheuer • November 9, 2022

There was once a time in my life when I could only dream about performing a physical exam on a sedated jaguar in the Belizean jungle, but that dream, along with many others, became a reality as a student enrolled in Dr. Noha Abou-Madi’s International Experience in Wildlife Health and Conservation course. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine (CUCVM) has been partnered with the Belize Zoo since 2011 to provide state-of-the-art veterinary care while simultaneously fulfilling the dreams of adventurous veterinary students looking to hone their clinical skills. After having to cancel this trip multiple times throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Noha Abou-Madi could not be more excited to offer this course once again to those with career goals involving wildlife and zoological medicine. In this course, students travel to the Belize Zoo where they stay for a week to gain hands-on experience with various mammals, birds, and reptiles native to Belize.

International Experience in Wildlife Health and Conservation provides students with opportunities that go beyond the core curriculum, offering depth and breadth of knowledge in zoological and conservation medicine. Previous student Sophie Yasuda ‘25 stated, “one of my favorite parts of the trip was being able to participate in every aspect of the animals’ veterinary care and learn about each component from knowledgeable veterinarians. Being able to conduct physical exams, monitor anesthesia, observe dental procedures, collect samples, and run lab work on species as majestic and diverse as jaguars and harpy eagles was an incredible experience. In addition, it was a valuable learning experience to work in an unfamiliar hospital and extremely rewarding to feel our group turn into a cohesive and close-knit team.”

After working with an otter, kinkajou, and fer-de-lance, Erin Guntrum ‘25 recalls that her most memorable experience of the trip was auscultating the heart of one of the jaguars. She thought that the heart sounds were abnormal, but she was unable to figure out exactly what was abnormal about them – a murmur, an extra heart sound, an abnormal rhythm, etc. She worked closely with Veterinary Resident of Zoological Medicine Dr. Melissa Hanson to discover a split S2 sound – something that Dr. Hanson explained can be a normal finding in a larger animal where the aortic and pulmonic valves do not always close with perfect synchronicity. This was a memorable experience for Erin because despite not being able to identify the exact heart sound, she was able to recognize a difference between the heart sounds she heard in the jaguar and the ones she has been taught in CUCVM’s core curriculum. As a student developing her clinical skills, this felt like a win to Erin, and I agree!

The relationship between the Belize Zoo and CUCVM is one that not only fosters students’ education and clinical skills as they pertain to zoological medicine, but also as they pertain to conservation. The Belize Zoo is highly committed to the animals within their direct care, but they also care for those that live beyond their gates. Erin Guntrum ‘25 recalls a lecture that we received highlighting the integral role that zoos play in the realm of conservation in which we learned that the Belize zoo has been purchasing land to be utilized as wildlife corridors to once again connect wild populations that have been separated by human establishments. Members of the Belize zoo are very aware that the human population is expanding and so too is development, nonetheless they are trying their best to ensure that land exists for wildlife in the future.

The Belize Zoo’s conservation efforts were very motivating for some, including Sophie Yasuda ‘25 who stated, “my decision to apply to the course stemmed from my desire to contribute to the preservation of wild populations through a career as a wildlife veterinarian. During my time at the Belize Zoo, I was inspired not only by the quality of veterinary care provided by Cornell’s doctors, but also by the amazing care provided by the keepers at the zoo and the impact the zoo has on improving public perception of native wildlife. Overall, the experience strengthened my desire to use my veterinary degree to contribute to wildlife conservation.” Emma Fralin ‘25 was also very encouraged by the zoo’s conservation efforts and is certain that visitors receive the same inspiration. She states, “the care that the animal keeper’s exemplified for their animals was practically palpable. I am confident that this care and respect translates to every visitor of the Belize Zoo.”

International Experience in Wildlife Health and Conservation is a course unlike any other, offering an experience of a lifetime. From monitoring the anesthesia of a spider monkey to drawing blood from a white-tailed deer in the field, you really get to do it all. This trip is a must for those seeking a well-rounded veterinary education in zoological, wildlife, or conservation medicine. I think Erin Guntrum ‘25 truly encapsulates how we all felt after our experience at the Belize Zoo when she said, “I’ve always dreamed of being a zoo or wildlife veterinarian. And this trip was so special because it was really the first time that I got to live out that dream – and it really affirmed that this is what I want to do, and that this is something I can do.”

Maison Scheuer is the 2022-2023 WildLIFE Blog Editor and a proud member of Cornell ZAWS. Her passions lie at the intersection of veterinary medicine and wildlife conservation. She loves to travel and has spent time in Canada, Thailand, Alabama, Belize, and Honduras where she studied Columbian ground squirrels, elephant conservation, wildlife rehabilitation, and veterinary medicine. Though particularly interested in One Health and international medicine, she has also discovered a love for small animal medicine through her experience working as a veterinary technician at a full-service exotics and small animal private practice.