Minnesota Zoo

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Thanks for following along this week and celebrating our Vet Techs with us! And thank you to our Vet Techs Jenny, Bob, Ashley, Olivia and Vet Tech Assistant Courtney for your big hearts and hard work for the health of animals. We appreciate all that you do!!

Vet Tech Assistant Courtney’s specialty is sneaking animal medications into almost any food. Her favorite was formerly the prairie dogs – but now she’s grown fond of a new face at the Zoo. Marcie the pronghorn fawn has stolen many hearts with her rescue story and sweet nature. Courtney has the pleasure of playing tag with Marcie every day and having her “help” clean up by nibbling on the broom and hose. 🧹 | Every day of the year, the Minnesota Zoo Veterinary Technicians give their expert care and huge hearts to nearly 5,000 animals. (Representing almost 500 species!) Each of them has superpowers — and an animal that’s the apple of their eye. We hope you’ll continue to follow along this week as we introduce you to the MN Zoo Vet Techs!

Vet Tech Olivia says medical behavior training is a very rewarding part of her job. She’s successfully trained the big cats to participate in blood draws, blood pressure checks, injections, and vaccinations while they’re awake. But it’s cold-blooded creatures that really warm her heart. She enjoys working with the Komodo dragons and dwarf crocodiles.🐊🐲 | Every day of the year, the Minnesota Zoo Veterinary Technicians give their expert care and huge hearts to nearly 5,000 animals. (Representing almost 500 species!) Each of them has superpowers — and an animal that’s the apple of their eye. We hope you’ll continue to follow along this week as we introduce you to the MN Zoo Vet Techs!

With a can-do attitude, Vet Tech Ashley fixes stubborn equipment, coaxes porcupines who are picky eaters, and color-codes calendars and spreadsheets. She enjoys building relationships with animals to ensure their medical management is low-stress. She had a hard time picking only one favorite animal, so she said both sea otters and moose for their expressive faces and strong personalities. Ashley’s family nickname is Moose and she has a moose antler tattoo! 🦦🫎 | Every day of the year, the Minnesota Zoo Veterinary Technicians give their expert care and huge hearts to nearly 5,000 animals. (Representing almost 500 species!) Each of them has superpowers — and an animal that’s the apple of their eye. We hope you’ll continue to follow along this week as we introduce you to the MN Zoo Vet Techs!

This morning's moon — setting in the trees at the Zoo. 🌕🌲

Vet Tech Jenny has cared for animals at the Zoo for over 25 years! She credits her long, successful Zoo career to her adaptability. Horses have trotted their way to the top of her list as her favorite animal. 🐎 | Every day of the year, the Minnesota Zoo Veterinary Technicians give their expert care and huge hearts to nearly 5,000 animals. (Representing almost 500 species!) Each of them has superpowers — and an animal that's the apple of their eye. 🥰 We hope you'll continue to follow along this week as we introduce you to the MN Zoo Vet Techs!

It’s National Veterinary Technician Week and we’re celebrating our very special vet techs! They bring a big skillset to the Zoo: assisting with numerous procedures and checkups, and providing specialty TLC. They work seamlessly with Zoo veterinarians and animal care staff to provide the best care. Our Director of Animal Health, Dr. Rivas, perfectly explains just how much they mean to us, and the animals here at the Zoo: "Veterinary Technicians are a cornerstone of our Animal Health Team. Their specialized skills, compassion, and commitment are critical to ensuring the best possible care for animals, from corals to dairy cows! Veterinary Technician Appreciation Week gives us an opportunity to thank them for all that they do, and to emphasize their essential role here at the Minnesota Zoo." Follow along this week as we introduce you to our amazing vet techs, and celebrate all that they do!

Join us in welcoming our newest Board Member, Randy Knutson! Randy is a distinguished attorney and a founding partner of Knutson Casey Law Firm, with an impressive career spanning over three decades. Throughout his career, Randy has demonstrated a strong commitment to justice, serving as the Tribal Council Attorney for the White Earth Band of Ojibwe and earning accolades such as Minnesota Super Lawyer and Minnesota Attorney of the Year. Randy’s extensive expertise and dedication to community service will be invaluable to our mission at the Minnesota Zoo. His passion for education and youth development is evident in his roles as a licensed coach and founder of several local triathlon events, fostering a love for wellness and connection to the outdoors within his community. We look forward to seeing the impact he will make as we work together toward our mission to connect people, animals, and the natural world to save wildlife.

We are happy to announce and introduce one of our newest Board Members, Angie Dean. Angie has been a dedicated supporter of the Minnesota Zoo for many years. After witnessing the Zoo's significant impact on our communities, she became motivated to get involved. As a first-grade teacher with over two decades of experience in education, Angie brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and a deep commitment to community service to our Board. Angie’s passion for education and instilling a love for nature will be a powerful asset as we continue working to advance our mission to connect people, animals, and the natural world to save wildlife. She expressed her enthusiasm for the role, sharing, “As a life-long visitor to the Minnesota Zoo, I am so excited to be on the Board to continue to make the Zoo an inviting place where memories can be made. The Zoo’s education and conservation work makes it an invaluable part of our community and state!” Please join us in welcoming Angie Dean. We look forward to her contributions and are excited to have her on board!