Shannon M. Riggs, DVM
Atascadero
Summary
Wildlife veterinarian with 20+ years of experience in avian and exotic animal medicine, specializing in wildlife rehabilitation and emergency response. Recognized leader in orthopedic surgery for wild birds, driving advancements in wildlife care standards. Co-founder of Bird Ally X, contributing to wildlife rehabilitation education and advocacy efforts.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Animal Care
Pacific Wildlife Care
01.2013 - Current
- Manage and oversee medical care of wildlife hospital patients and collection animals.
- Advise staff during medical, surgical and anesthetic procedures.
- Train and oversee staff and volunteers in aspects of veterinary medicine.
- Design and implement animal care protocols.
- Oversee Wildlife Rehabilitation Internship program.
Director of Veterinary Services
Lindsay Wildlife Museum
11.2011 - 11.2012
- Manage and oversee medical care of wildlife hospital patients and collection animals.
- Advise staff during medical, surgical and anesthetic procedures.
- Participate in interpretive programming in exhibit hall (e.g. daily behind the scenes programs).
- Train and oversee staff and volunteers in aspects of veterinary medicine.
- Participate in teaching veterinary externs and students.
- Design and implement animal care protocols.
Associate Veterinarian
Lindsay Wildlife Museum
06.2010 - 10.2011
- Provide medical care of wildlife hospital patients and collection animals.
- Perform diagnostic testing as needed.
- Advise staff during medical, surgical and anesthetic procedures.
- Participate in interpretive programming in exhibit hall (e.g. daily behind the scenes programs).
- Train and oversee staff and volunteers in aspects of veterinary medicine.
- Participate in teaching veterinary externs and students.
- Participate with director of veterinary services and others in designing protocols to improve health care.
Clinical Veterinarian
University of California, Davis Oiled Wildlife Care Network
10.2006 - 10.2009
- Provided medical, surgical, and emergency care for aquatic avian patients admitted into rehabilitation at the San Francisco Bay Oiled Wildlife Care and Education Center (SFBOWCEC).
- Managed medical care of avian patients at SFBOWCEC affected by oil spill events.
- Instructed veterinary students in the management of clinical cases in hospital and lecture settings.
- Presented lectures in avian medicine to veterinary students and at national veterinary conferences.
- Assisted management research projects performed at SFBOWCEC.
- Participated in oil spill response drills at OWCN participant organizations.
Companion Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine Resident
University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
08.2003 - 07.2006
- Provided medical, surgical, and emergency care to privately owned exotic pets (birds, small mammals, reptiles).
- Provided medical, surgical and emergency care to wildlife (raptors, waterfowl, passerines, rabbits, rodents, reptiles).
- Provided preventative and rehabilitative care to resident birds at the California Raptor Center.
- Instructed veterinary students in the management of clinical cases in hospital and lecture settings.
- Presented lectures in avian and captive wild animal medicine to veterinary students and at national veterinary conferences.
- Completed a research project evaluating the behavior of a commonly used pain medication in red-tailed hawks and great horned owls.
Zoological Medicine Intern
Louisiana State University, School of Veterinary Medicine
07.2002 - 07.2003
- Provided medical, surgical, and emergency care to privately owned exotic pets (birds, small mammals, reptiles).
- Provided medical, surgical and emergency care to wildlife (raptors, waterfowl, passerines, rabbits, rodents, reptiles).
- Instructed veterinary students in the management of clinical cases in hospital and lecture settings.
- Participated in research projects involving reptile and amphibian species.
- Consulted with the Baton Rouge Zoo, New Iberia Primate Center, and Aquarium of the Americas.
Education
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine -
University of California, Davis
Davis, CA06-2002
Bachelor of Arts - Biology
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA05-1994
Affiliations
- BirdAllyX: Founding member and co-director, 09/01/09, present
- California Council of Wildlife Rehabilitators, Board member 2010-2014
- American Association of Wildlife Veterinarians
- American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
- Association of Avian Veterinarians
- Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians
- National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association
- Wildlife Disease Association
References
- Michelle Hawkins, VMD, DABVP (Avian), Director, California Raptor Center, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, (530) 574-2838, mghawkins@ucdavis.edu
- Kristin Howland, Executive Director, Pacific Wildlife Care, (805) 471-3627, krisitin@pacificwildlifecare.org
- Monte Merrick, Board President, Bird Ally X, Director, Humboldt Wildlife Care Center, (707) 882-8839, mm@birdallyx.net
Timeline
Director of Animal Care
Pacific Wildlife Care
01.2013 - Current
Director of Veterinary Services
Lindsay Wildlife Museum
11.2011 - 11.2012
Associate Veterinarian
Lindsay Wildlife Museum
06.2010 - 10.2011
Clinical Veterinarian
University of California, Davis Oiled Wildlife Care Network
10.2006 - 10.2009
Companion Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine Resident
University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
08.2003 - 07.2006
Zoological Medicine Intern
Louisiana State University, School of Veterinary Medicine
07.2002 - 07.2003
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine -
University of California, Davis
Bachelor of Arts - Biology
University of Iowa
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