The Future Veterinary Professionals Club organized their second live animal encounter this fall semester. The Vice President of the Club, Christal Luna, brought in some of her exotic animals to the Dobbs Ferry campus for an educational meet and greet. She discussed the importance of veterinary care and preventative medicine practices. This is especially important when it comes to animals since they can not tell us when they are feeling sick. Luna explained what it is like owning and caring for exotic animals, and talked about some of the physical characteristics that make each animal unique. Attendees were able to ask questions about exotics and had the chance to see some animals they have never seen in person before. Luna is also a licensed wildlife rehabilitator and explained her duties as a rehabilitator, and what is required to obtain and maintain her license. Those who attended interacted with three different species of snakes, a juvenile bearded dragon, an adult crested gecko, and a tegu; a very large lizard that closely resembles a monitor lizard.
All of her animals are rescue animals and each have a unique story detailing how Luna ended up caring for them. This is a special event that the club hopes to continue to do in the future. As veterinary professionals they find it important to educate those in the program and those in different majors and programs, that there are many different kinds of animals out there.