Feathers of the Future – HBD’s Student Ambassador Program

Kaitlyn has served in a leadership capacity on multiple non-profit boards and has offered outreach advice to numerous veterinary associations and small businesses over the past decade. She loves helping people share their vision, passions, and skills with the world around them. Having a special interest in avian exotic medicine, she is excited to partner with Harrison’s Bird Foods to invest in the next generation of avian veterinarians through the development of a college outreach program. She hopes it will open up new opportunities for veterinary students to learn about birds, and create better access to care in the future for people’s beloved pets. 

Jen Park (they/them) is a second-year DVM candidate at the University of California, Davis. They developed a strong interest in avian medicine during undergraduate summer internships at the International Bird Rescue (San Pedro, CA), and Fox Valley Wildlife Center (South Elgin, IL). They aspire to become a wildlife/zoo veterinarian, but also hold interests in shelter medicine, access-to-care, public health and education, and anesthesiology. At UC Davis, Jen currently serves as the president of the Avian & Exotics Medicine Club, vice president of both SSVME and sPrideVMC student chapters, and is actively engaged in providing clinical support at multiple access-to-care clinics. Jen also works part-time at the teaching hospital’s exotic service and helps with daily care of the Bearded Dragon research colony.

“I hope my position as a Harrison’s Bird Food student representative will allow me to educate others about the importance and accessibility of avian nutrition, and encourage other students to become more comfortable learning about providing veterinary care to birds in their future careers.”

Jezebel is a veterinary student at Michigan State University with a deep enthusiasm for exotics and small animals. She also currently serves on the executive board of the Association of Asian American Veterinary Medical Professionals. Raised in Taiwan in a household that values avian care, Jezebel grew up alongside several foster and rescue birds. Her passion lies in valuing the strong bonds between birds and humans, and she is excited to learn more about avian nutrition through this program.

According to Jezebel, “As an ambassador at MSU, I strive to advocate for the use of proper bird food, while educating my fellow vet students on how quality diet can enhance the well-being of avian species and strengthen the avian-human bond. It’s truly fascinating to observe the varying approaches to avian nutrition between Asia and the United States.”

Rylee Clark is a DVM candidate in the class of 2028 at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (Virginia Tech) with a great passion for avian medicine and wildlife rehabilitation. She attended West Virginia University and received her Bachelors in Science in Animal & Nutritional Sciences and Biology. During her time at WVU, she worked with the Division of Poultry Sciences and volunteered at the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia. At VMCVM, she is the student chapter representative for both the Association of Avian Veterinarians and American Association of Wildlife Veterinarians.

She is also a coordinator of the student-run Wildlife Ward at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. She hopes to take advantage of the Ambassador Program’s resource to build upon her knowledge and skills related to avian medicine.