AAV is pleased to announce the recipients of our 2026 Conference Scholarships! Congratulations - we look forward to meeting you in person at the conference this October!

Sofia La Rocca, DVM, MSc
Developing Nations Conference Scholarship

Sofia La Rocca, DVM, MSc is a Brazilian veterinarian dedicated to the clinical care and research of exotic and wild animals. She holds a Master’s degree in Animal Sciences from the University of Brasília (UnB), where her research focused on total intravenous anesthesia in wild birds, evaluating propofol requirements under standardized analgesic protocols. Dr. La Rocca actively works in clinical practice with non-conventional pets, integrating evidence-based medicine into daily decision-making and emphasizing species-specific physiology and welfare. Her work spans a wide range of taxa, including birds, reptiles, and small mammals, with a particular interest in anesthesia, analgesia, and critical care. In addition to her clinical work, she is engaged in scientific research and continuing education, contributing to the advancement of exotic animal medicine in regions where access to specialized knowledge remains limited. She is passionate about bridging the gap between research and clinical practice, ensuring that scientific findings are translated into practical, accessible care. Dr. La Rocca is also involved in educational initiatives aimed at veterinarians, promoting high-quality, science-based approaches to the care of exotic and wild species. Through both her clinical and academic work, she is committed to improving animal welfare and expanding global access to specialized veterinary knowledge.

Cecilia Bartels
Student Conference Scholarship

Cecilia Bartels is a first-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine student at Rowan University’s Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine with a strong interest in avian and exotic animal medicine. She currently works part-time as a veterinary technician at an avian and exotic animal practice in Philadelphia, where she assists in anesthesia, diagnostics, and client education for a variety of species, including companion birds. Cecilia is actively involved in advancing avian welfare, education, and research. She is a member of the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV) Student Avian Welfare Committee, where she contributes educational articles on avian husbandry and welfare. She is also a student member of the American Association of Avian Pathologists (AAAP), reflecting her interest in avian disease and pathology. In the summer of 2026, Cecilia will participate in a research project examining lead exposure in bald eagles in New Jersey, with a focus on the implications for wildlife health and conservation. This work complements her clinical interests by highlighting the intersection of environmental factors and avian disease. At Rowan, Cecilia founded and serves as President of the Wildlife, Aquatic, Zoo, and Exotic (WAZE) Club, an organization dedicated to expanding student exposure to nontraditional species and fostering connections with professional veterinary organizations. Cecilia’s professional interests include avian medicine, pathology, and conservation, with a focus on improving education, advancing welfare, and supporting the health of both companion and wild bird populations.

Summary of the Winter Session, January 2026

Link to proposed Bylaws Amendments and Resolutions: 

Summary of Issues Discussed

Allied Membership in the HOD: After much discussion in subcommittees, the decision was made to have the HAC establish a workgroup to examine membership for HOD allied organizations, including all aspects of eligibility and continued representation. The reference committee also recommended that the House Advisory Committee submit an amendment to extend the grace period for meeting eligibility criteria to maintain status beyond the current one-year period. Since AAV already has a voting seat, we only need to maintain representation, which currently means that at least 350 of our members must also be members of AVMA. We currently meet this requirement but must continue to exceed 350 or any new requirements the workgroup creates in the future. 

Veterinary Technicians: Reference Committee 3 discussed veterinary technician training and education. The Reference Committee requests the AVMA BOD evaluate whether- and how- the AVMA should expand structured participation of veterinary technicians and select affiliated veterinary technician organizations within AVMA governance.

Bylaws Amendments: HOD voted on 7 amendments to the bylaws. Amendments 1-6 were minor changes such as adding a comma or few words for clarity, not to change meaning. Bylaws amendment 7 was initially just a minor change for clarity in article II, but concerns arose over questions of who could serve as a director on the board (article V) and since article V changes had not been in the proposed amendment and was not discussed, the HOD voted to refer this back to the BOD for everyone to re-evaluate in the summer session.

Reference Committee 2: Dr. Riley attended. Discussed opposition to Resolution #1, Animal Training and Early Exposure. This resolution was meant to cover ALL species and encouraged human socialization and training and early exposure to improve welfare. We gave the opinion that this is not always true for non-traditional species (free-ranging wildlife, some zoo animal cases, game farms, aquaculture, bees, etc.) and industry and livestock vets were largely in agreement that this resolution was more appropriate for companion animals.  

Reference Committee 3: Dr. Lewis attended. This reference committee discussed the veterinary technician VIF topic (see above) and resolution #2 regarding recommendations for camelid castration, including the minimum age at which castration should occur. 

Reference Committee 6: Allied membership was discussed and concerns were raised over small organizations ability to maintain membership. All were in agreement that there must be some minimum requirement to have a specific number or percentage of AVMA members to have a vote, but there was recognition that some very important groups (large impact or large numbers of animals treated e.g. American Association of Avian Pathologists treating billions of animals per year and being heavily involved in food security despite being a few hundred members). Some proposed that a role on the advisory panel might be more appropriate for groups that cannot meet number requirements. Ultimately, the decision was made to recommend the HAC create a workgroup to further examine this issue and the HOD agreed to this recommendation. 

Resolution 1 – Training and Early Exposure - HOD approved reference committee 2’s  recommendation to refer back to BOD given the issues with wildlife, zoo, livestock, and industry.

Resolution 2 – Camelid Castration - HOD approved with multiple amendments-camelids should be 24+ months, the purpose is to suppress unwanted behaviors, and anesthesia/analgesia was recommended. 

As a group, our AAV members are uniquely positioned to help these organizations soar. To that end, we are working to create a comprehensive nationwide (and eventually worldwide) directory of bird rescue groups. This resource will make it easier for veterinarians, caregivers, and the public to locate qualified rescuers when birds are in need.

How you can help:

• JOIN our RESCUE TASK FORCE! If you are an AAV member interested in leading this task force or helping organize the database, contact us to express your interest at emackey@aav.org. 
• Share contacts for the list: Know of reputable bird rescue or rehabilitation groups in your region? Please send their information our way. Whether it’s a small local sanctuary or a well-established nonprofit, every entry helps us “spread our wings” a little farther. Submit information using this form: https://aav.org/rescueform 

Thank you for being part of our flock and for continuing to make a positive impact for our feathered friends.

Wishing you all a hopeful, healthy, and high-flying New Year!

Submit rescue organization information through this form: https://aav.org/rescueform

By: Stephanie Lamb, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice)
Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital
Association of Avian Veterinarians Conference Chair & Immediate Past President

As an avian veterinarian, I frequently hear colleagues say they like birds and wouldn’t mind seeing them in practice but are a little afraid or aren’t sure where to start. If that sounds like you, I want to reassure you—it’s not as daunting as it might seem, and there’s a real need in our communities for veterinarians willing to care for feathered companions.

Every week, bird owners call the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV) asking for help finding someone—anyone—in their area who will treat their parrot, finch, or backyard flock. These are loving, responsible owners who simply want to give their pets the same level of care they’d give a dog or cat. Unfortunately, they often come up short.

The good news? You don’t have to become an avian specialist to make a difference.

Here are a few basic tips—adapted from AAV’s bird owner resources—that you can start using today if you’re just beginning to work with birds or even just having conversations with clients who have them:

Basic Bird Care Tips for the Curious Clinician:

• Birds hide illness—look closely. A fluffed appearance, partially closed eyes, or sitting quietly at the bottom of the cage are often signs of serious illness.
• Weigh-ins are powerful. Weight loss is one of the earliest signs of disease. Encourage owners to weigh their birds at home with a gram scale.
• Seed diets aren’t sufficient. Seeds alone don’t meet a bird’s nutritional needs. 
  A pelleted diet supplemented with vegetables is far healthier long term.
• Teflon™ and sprays are dangerous. Non-stick cookware and many aerosols release 
  fumes that can be fatal to birds. Educating owners about household hazards is critical.
• Preventive care matters. Like any pet, birds benefit from annual checkups to catch 
  issues early and build client trust in your care.
  

These are manageable, high-impact steps that can help you begin offering avian care confidently and competently.

To support veterinarians like you, AAV has developed the Avian Veterinary Clinical Competency Program—a three-tiered, online, self-paced learning series designed specifically for general practitioners who want to add birds to their case load. We also offer practical tools, like our Bird-Friendly Practice Toolbox, and a welcoming community of colleagues ready to answer questions and share advice.

And if you’re ready to take the next step, I personally invite you to join us in Phoenix, Arizona, October 3–6, 2025, for the AAV Annual Conference & Expo. We’ve curated a program that includes both advanced and introductory content, so whether you’re just starting or looking to deepen your skills, there’s something for everyone. Plus, you’ll get to meet supportive peers and mentors who’ve been in your shoes.

Birds are amazing patients, and with just a little extra learning and support, you can make a big difference for them—and for your clients.

Want to Learn More?
Become a member of AAV for full access to educational resources, tools to prepare your practice, and plan to attend the 2025 Annual Conference in Phoenix.

This January, I was fortunate to attend the AVMA Veterinary Leadership Conference (VLC) in Chicago. If you’re like I was and are unfamiliar with this conference, the VLC is open to all veterinary professionals and is a combination of lectures, workshops, and AVMA governance meetings. 

Some of the lectures and workshops I attended included those on topics such as DEI, creating healthy workplace cultures, being an effective mentor and leader, developing communication skills, and addressing mental health within the profession. Whether you are an associate veterinarian, practice owner, veterinary technician, CSR, student, or work in industry, government, or academia, these workshops provided essential tools for everyone working in our great profession. I was continually reminded how proud I am to be part of a profession and organization with strong values that appreciates those “soft” skills that are so essential for success and well-being for ourselves and those around us. 

Nearly every workshop or lecture gave attendees opportunity to share their own thoughts and experiences and usually had small group activities. These provided fantastic networking opportunities. It was primarily through these workshops that I had the opportunity to meet veterinarians from all over North America. I met private practice owners, equine, small animal, and food animal clinicians, a dean of a veterinary college, students, researchers, and a large animal clinician that works for a Canadian governmental organization. As someone who typically goes to AAV and wildlife conferences, it was exciting for me to be able to chat with professionals working in fields so unlike my own. I was reminded of how our DVM degrees open so many doors for us, and we are leaders in so many different spaces!

The VLC also gave me the opportunity to get to know better AAV’s amazing Executive Director, Dr. Elizabeth Mackey, as well as AAV’s Delegate to the AVMA and Alternate Delegate and Legislative Chair, Drs. Heather Barron and Jen Riley. They were all so welcoming, and with all of us being current or previous wildlife rehabilitators and fellow bird nerds, we of course never ran out of things to talk about and connect on! They are all so influential and knowledgeable in their fields and are invaluable assets to our organization!

Something our AAV leaders helped me understand was the background and proceedings for the AVMA governance meetings that were held during the VLC. This was an aspect of our professional organizations of which I was completely ignorant. The HOD is comprised of representatives of the state VMA’s and other allied organizations and set important AVMA policies that influence the entire AVMA and, in many cases, the future of the profession. I was surprised to learn that the AAV is the only organization that represents veterinary professionals working with non-domestic species that has a large enough membership and AVMA members to hold seats on the HOD. We are so lucky that we can have Drs. Riley and Barron represent us, and it’s so important we all get involved with our professional organizations so we can ensure that our colleagues and unique patients have a voice.  

The VLC was a conference unlike any I have previously attended. My sincerest thanks to the AAV for providing me this incredible opportunity to learn and grow so I can hopefully become a better colleague, mentor, and teacher.

Dr. Joanne Paul-Murphy, DVM, DACZM, DACAW is the 2024 recipient of the Murray Fowler Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Paul-Murphy graduated with her DVM from Cornell University and then completed a zoological medicine residency under Dr. Murray Fowler in 1986. She has held previous veterinary positions at the University of California, Davis, the California Primate Center, the Wisconsin Regional Primate Center, and University of Wisconsin. During her tenure as clinician, educator, and researcher, she has impacted the professional lives of hundreds of students, dozens of residents and thousands of animals.

Dr. Paul-Murphy has an international scientific presence, having authored or co-authored over 150 peer reviewed publications, more than 40 textbook chapters, and over 100 abstracts or other scientific presentations. She is internationally recognized for her expertise in analgesia, particularly in avian analgesia. Dr Paul-Murphy has an incredible service record, having served on multiple committees within the American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM), the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV), The Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV), the Association of Women Veterinarians, the Wildlife Society, amongst others. Impressively, in the late 2000's, Dr Paul-Murphy was a founding member of the American College of Animal Welfare.  She has received multiple awards celebrating her contributions to zoological medicine including theAnimal Welfare Award from the American Veterinary Medical Association in 2019 and the TJ Lafeber Avian Practitioner of the Year Award in 2014. 

In the letters of support submitted from ACZM Diplomates  descriptions of Dr Paul-Murphy's impact on the profession were numerous. Described as a "trail-blazer" within her field and applauded for mentoring many in the field, the ACZM is proud to bestow her with this great honor. 

AAV congratulates Dr. Bob Dahlhausen, 2024 honoree of the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Society. Bob has been a long time member and dedicated supporter of the AAV and we wish him our sincere congratulations on this achievement! (Pictured here with fellow AAV member, Dr. Susan Orosz.)

The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Society recognizes outstanding alumni for their contributions to the profession and dedication to their community. These awards celebrate alumni who have not only excelled in the veterinary profession but also demonstrated exceptional service to their communities and commitment to our college.

Dr. Bob Dahlhausen earned his DVM from The Ohio State University in 1983, MS in 1980, and completed coursework and general exams towards his Ph.D. in 1983. He has practiced avian, exotic, and laboratory animal medicine for the past 41 years. As a researcher, he helped pioneer embryo transfer techniques in exotic animal species including the first successful interspecies embryo transfer of the African Bongo antelope.
 
He was a research consultant to the Procter & Gamble company where he helped develop on-site protocols for veterinary surgery and assisted in establishment of the company’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) program. Dr. Dahlhausen served as a consulting veterinarian to the Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Cinicinnati College of Medicine, and to the Ethicon Endosurgery Institute, Professional Education Division, where he assisted in surgeon training in endoscopy and endoscopic surgery. His work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and the Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) included evaluation of exotic animal facilities where he also performed exotic animal restraint and capture for animal relocation. 
 
In 1991, Dr. Dahlhausen established Veterinary Molecular Diagnostics (VMD), the first commercial molecular diagnostic laboratory to serve veterinary medicine. In addition to developing assays for select avian and exotic animal diseases, the laboratory developed specific testing for avian Chlamydiosis that is a current standard today. Dr. Dahlhausen is a leading researcher in avian ganglioneuritis, offering the only anti-ganglioside antibody ELISA available for disease diagnosis and having pioneered the use of COX-2 inhibition for the successful treatment of this disease. He has given over 126 presentations and written33 scientific publicationsand for 4 veterinary textbooks.  In 2009, Dr. Dahlhausen was awarded the T.J. Lafeber, avian practitioner of the year award at the Association of Avian Veterinarians.
 
Dr. Dahlhausen is semi-retired but still active in both research and avian/exotic animal medicine. As a board member of RAPTOR Inc., he helps with the medical management and rehabilitation of birds of prey. He has two children and enjoys hiking, birding, and outdoor pursuits with his wife Diana.
 

By: Dr. Pat Latas, DVM, MS, BS, AAV Avian Welfare Committee Co-chair

Why is it so hard to improve welfare conditions and standards for pet/companion/captive/dependent parrots? If humans love parrots, why is it so difficult? Parrots may be deeply loved, but often for the wrong reasons. They are pretty, valuable, empathetic, and intelligent. But so rarely are they loved for their intrinsic, internal, inherent value and inhumane welfare practices may stem from this very dichotomy. Love for parrots and inhumane welfare conditions are deeply rooted in history, across the globe, and persist to this day. Our AAV Welfare Committee strives to educate and elucidate modern, progressive and thoughtful goals to preserve avian health, welfare and well-being.

In their fascinating article “Pre-Columbian transregional captive rearing of Amazonian parrots in the Atacama Desert,” Capiles et al. describe mummified remains of a number of psittacines birds discovered in the Atacama Desert of Peru.1 Many have been carefully preserved and found associated with human burials. Undoubtedly, they were beloved and cherished companions.2,3 The birds were highly valued, important to religious and spiritual practices and integral to intercontinental trade. Yet many of the specimens show external signs of abuse and internal evidence of poor health.1-6 Long feathers were plucked for ornaments; beaks were severely trimmed with stone tools; evidence of feather destructive behavior is common; many show poor body condition with fractures and other osteological changes indicative of inadequate nutrition. Mummies and burials from Arizona show similar evidence of mistreatment. These young birds endured arduous journeys on foot, across vast regions of central South America to the Pacific coast, and other routes from Central America to the southwestern USA. The hardships the wild captives endured are unimaginable, through challenging terrain and harsh weather. Most were housed in tiny stonework enclosures and eventually sacrificed. Regular replenishment of the birds required regular and dependable trade with the source geographical locations. Parrot images appear on items of religious significance, rock art, and cultural emblems and groups. Yet what they truly symbolize is thousands of birds traded for their beauty and cultural significance, and killed for those attributes; with their own intrinsic value ignored or suppressed. Captive birds suffered horrendously in prehistory.

Thankfully we have evolved and do not do that in modern times! Right? Who in practice has not seen a terribly damaged beak, trimmed with inappropriate tools, no analgesia, and permanent, painful injury? Who has not treated a tibiotarsal or femoral fracture resultant from tethering? Who has not seen wing and tail feathers plucked for craft ornaments? Who has not seen a large bird in a tiny cage as a furniture accessory for 40 years? Who has not seen a bird bleached and dyed, sold to the gullible as an expensive gift? We have not evolved. The only evolution is the accelerated greed.

Every bird in captivity deserves a satisfying, healthy, interesting and cherished life for the entirety of its long duration. That will entail an evolution of human nature and human history to acknowledge their inherent value apart from our superficial and selfish notions of beauty and value. For that to happen, we must all educate ourselves as to the natural history of species in the wild. We all must examine our own motives for having birds share our home. And we must all honor the needs of long-lived captives regardless of convenience or expense.

Rock art from the USA Southwest, mural from Hopi kiva, depicting entire and healthy birds,⁴ and a reproduction of an Anasazi Indian kiva mural from Pottery Mound, New Mexico, by Thomas Baker (print in private collection of Dr. Pat Latas).

Ceramic vessel depicting naked macaws missing tail and wing feathers and body plumage, perched on hoop, stick and (possibly) ceramic stands (illustration by Dr. Pat Latas). 

Fifteenth century Macaw polychrome ceramic platters, and macaw remains from Atacama Desert showing beak deformity and severe crude trim of maxilla (illustrations by Dr. Pat Latas).

Modern Zuni carving representing a healthy Amazona sp. (photo by Dr. Pat Latas).

 
Modern ceramics using images from Mimbres ceramicware showing denuded parrots (© 2023, HF Coors, Tucson AZ USA).

How far have we come? (Illustrations by Dr. Pat Latas ©2023)

References

1. Capriles JM, Santoro CM, George RJ, Flores Bedregal E, Kennett DJ, Kistler L, Rothhammer F. Pre-Columbian transregional captive rearing of Amazonian parrots in the Atacama Desert. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2021 Apr 13; 118(15):e2020020118.
2. Moretti JA. An ancient Thick-billed Parrot (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha) from southeastern New Mexico with a review of archaeological occurrences in the American Southwest. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology. 2022 Sep;134(3):438-54.
   
3. Schwartz CW, Plog S, Gilman PA, editors. Birds of the Sun: Macaws and People in the US Southwest and Mexican Northwest. University of Arizona Press; 2022 Mar 1.
   
4. http://benedante.blogspot.com/2016/04/scarlet-macaws-hero-twins-and-pueblo.html
   
5. Crown PL. Just macaws: A review for the US Southwest/Mexican Northwest. Kiva. 2016 Oct 1;82(4):331-63.
   
6. Gilman PA, Thompson M, Wyckoff KC. Ritual change and the distant: Mesoamerican iconography, scarlet macaws, and great kivas in the Mimbres region of Southwestern New Mexico. American Antiquity. 2014 Jan;79(1):90-107.
   

Percy is back with facts about common diseases in large psittacines and clinical treatment! My name is Hannah and I am 4th year student at Michigan State University, finishing one more year of my curriculum! As an AAV student member, I am awarded a great opportunity to learn more about avian medicine and diversify my clinical practice through the AAV online education library. Here are some review highlights from the module “Disease Conditions, Clinical Signs and Treatment Modalities of Large Pet Birds”:

• Fungal pneumonia is a common sequela to circovirus infection, malnourishment, vitamin A deficiency, corticosteroid administration, or immunosuppression in young birds. Poor husbandry and hygiene, such as old wood shavings and seed hulls that often predispose birds to spores.
  
  
• Primary treatment of fungal respiratory infections can include an IV dose of Amphotercin B for 3-5 days, in addition to terbinafine and fluconazole or itraconazole. Terbinafine 10-15mg/kg PO every 12-24 hours in combination with intraconazole is very effective therapy for Aspergillosis sp. infections and offers a great margin of safety.
  
  
• Sarcocystis is a pathogen that penetrates and infects the vascular endothelium of the lung, resulting in acute respiratory distress. Treatment should include intensive supportive care and administration of terbutaline to combat bronchial constriction and may include pyrimethamine if diagnosis is determined early. 
  
  
• Infection with Mycobacteria is more common in species such as amazon parrots, finches, brotogerids, and pionus parrots. Muscle wasting, poor body condition and feather quality and weakness are common clinical presentations; lameness associated with bony involvement or increased respiratory effort due to hepatic compression of the air sacs may also be observed.
  
  
• Multicentric lymphosarcoma is the most common round cell neoplasm that occurs in both passerines and psittacines. Bloodwork derangements typically include abnormalities such as a PCV less than 35%, leukopenia alongside clinical symptoms such scant feces, cutaneous or periorbital swelling, dyspnea, and abdominal swelling. Prognosis is poor as birds do not typically respond well to common chemotherapeutics. 
  

Are you interested in learning more about avian medicine? As an AAV member, you have access to online education modules covering the fundamentals of avian medicine to master classes. It gets even better as you can earn CE! Follow the Associate of Avian Veterinarians on Facebook or Instagram to receive biweekly module summaries provided by two MSU students and the green-cheeked conure, Percy!

Memberships can be purchased here: https://www.aav.org/page/membership

Student membership is just $20 and includes access to over 50 online courses and more! 

Once membership is purchased, sign in to access the online education portal and start learning today!

#percypicks

For additional resources - visit our AAV Avian Influenza Resources page.