Elizabeth Ann Wesson
Melbourne,FL
Summary
Passionate and experienced veterinarian with a background in small animal, exotic, and wildlife care, including rehabilitation, preventive medicine, and surgical procedures. Skilled in diagnostics, anesthesia, and client communication, with a proven track record in wildlife conservation and education. Eager to contribute to the medical and surgical care of zoo and aquarium animals, participate in research, and advance animal welfare.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Veterinary Consultant
FirstVet
10.2023 - Current
- Performed teletriage and telehealth consultations via video calls for clients and their pets in a friendly manner.
- Provide advice and/or referral to a local veterinary clinic or specialist for small animal and exotics.
Associate Veterinarian
Butler Creek Animal Hospital
08.2019 - 12.2021
- small animal and exotic medicine
- formed close relationships with clients and pets
- worked in a team of 3 veterinarians and sole charge
Veterinary Surgeon
Shinfield Vets
06.2015 - 01.2018
- worked in a team of 5 vets and also sole charge
- wildlife, exotics and small animals
- worked closely with Cat Protection Society
Veterinary Nurse/Receptionist
Surry Hills Veterinary Hospital
01.2011 - 01.2012
- Supported veterinarians with patient examinations and surgery and apppointments
- Patient care and hospitalization
- Wildlife care and WIRES coordination
Environmental Scientist
GPI Southeast, Inc.
01.2006 - 01.2010
- Managed manual and electronic water level data and maintain monitoring equipment required for local government water use permits.
- Created budgets for water monitoring projects.
- Selected and establish new monitoring sites within Orange County Water Service Area by creating GIS maps, coordinating with public facilities, supervising the installation of monitoring equipment, and surveying field transects.
- Developed and evaluate GIS maps used for evaluating wetland and wildlife impacts for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission and local Central Florida county governments.
- Collected semi-annual mitigation monitoring data for Tampa Bay Water.
- Managed statistical calculation processes of hydroperiods and median water levels—compile and analyze annual pumpage data for local utilities.
- Supervised development and implementation of gopher tortoise survey, excavation, and relocation of all tortoises and commensal species.
- Assessed wetland delineations, species identification, and impacts.
Education Coordinator/ Research Assistant/Rehabili
Fly By Night, Inc.
01.2005 - 01.2009
- Designed, developed, and facilitated educational programs for local schools and the general public in support of local bat conservation.
- Bat keeper responsibliites - Clean, feed, and maintain flight cages for captive flying foxes and native bats.
- Raise and release native microbat pups.
- Assisted with South Florida Water Management District and The Nature Conservancy project in assessing the impact of airboats on natural bat habitat and bat activity.
- Assisted with species diversity surveys in Everglades National Park, St. Croix, St. John, and Buck Island for the National Park Service.
- Work independently to compile field data and map bat activity using Excel, Locate II and III, and ArcGIS 9.0.
- Familiar with radio-tracking equipment, procedures capture techniques, and preparation techniques.
Education
Bachelor of Veterinary Science -
UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY
Sydney, Australia12.2014
Bachelor of Science in Biology (Honors) -
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
01.2005
Skills
- Experience in small animal, exotic and wildlife medicine and rehabilitation
- Excellent written and verbal client communication skills; warm and empathetic personality
- Client and community education skills
- Soft tissue and dental surgery
- Experience working sole charge and with larger veterinary teams
- Diagnostic Imaging including ultrasound
Projects
- Routes of Hendra virus secretion in naturally-infected flying-foxes with Queensland Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Biosecurity Queensland, DAFF, 2014
- Developed and implemented gopher tortoise surveys, excavation, and relocation of tortoises and commensal species with GPI Southeast, Inc., 2006-2010
- Developed and evaluated GIS maps used for evaluating wetland and wildlife impacts for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission and local Central Florida county government, 2006-2010
- Bat diversity studies in Everglades National Park, St. Croix, St John, and Buck Island for the National Park Service with Fly by Night, Inc., 2004-2007
- Assessment of airboat activity on the range of Southeastern big-eared bats in Disney's Wilderness Preserve with Fly by Night, Inc., 2004-2007
Pertinent Internships/Externships
Avian, Reptile and Exotic Pet Hospital, Camden, NSW, Australia
Exotic/Wildlife Elective, Veterinary Student Intern, August – September 2014
Johannesburg Zoo, Johannesburg, South Africa
Zoo/Wildlife Elective, Veterinary Student Intern, July – August 2014
Rossmore Veterinary Clinic, Rossmore, NSW, Australia
Mixed Practice Rotation, Veterinary Student Intern, May- June 2014
Queensland Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, DAFF, Coopers Plains, Australia
Public Health/Wildlife Rotation, Veterinary Student Intern, November – December 2013
Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Kissimmee, FL
Conservation Educator Advanced Intern, 2004
Volunteer Experience
- Tolga Bat Hospital, Queensland, Australia, Flying Fox Rehabilitator, 2013
- Sydney Wildlife Rescue, Sydney, Australia, Wildlife Rehabilitator, 2012
- Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge, Orlando, FL, U.S., Wildlife Care Volunteer, 2009
- Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, Maitland, FL, U.S., Raptor Care Volunteer, 2003-2004
- Vice President of Environmental Society, UCF, Orlando, FL, 2003-2005
Certification
- Florida Veterinary State Board License
- DEA license
- NAUI Open Water Dive Certification
- Rabies Vaccination, Orange County Health Department, 2005, Booster 2021
Affiliations
- American Veterinary Medical Association
- Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
- Fly By Night, Inc.
Timeline
Veterinary Consultant
FirstVet
10.2023 - Current
Associate Veterinarian
Butler Creek Animal Hospital
08.2019 - 12.2021
Veterinary Surgeon
Shinfield Vets
06.2015 - 01.2018
Veterinary Nurse/Receptionist
Surry Hills Veterinary Hospital
01.2011 - 01.2012
Environmental Scientist
GPI Southeast, Inc.
01.2006 - 01.2010
Education Coordinator/ Research Assistant/Rehabili
Fly By Night, Inc.
01.2005 - 01.2009
Bachelor of Veterinary Science -
UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY
Bachelor of Science in Biology (Honors) -
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
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