THE NAPLES ZOO AT CARIBBEAN GARDENS HIRES FULL TIME VETERINARIAN

NAPLES, FL. – May 21, 2015. The Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and nationally accredited zoo, has hired a full time veterinarian, Lizzy Arnett-Chinn. Ms. Arnett-Chinn is the first full time veterinarian to be hired at the Naples Zoo.

Lizzy Arnett-Chinn stated, “While I have enjoyed my time at Buttonwood Park Zoo, I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with a more exotic collection in a warmer climate. I am joining the zoo at such an exciting time as we are currently planning to build a new veterinary hospital. I can’t wait to see the new plans unfold from the ground up and I am looking forward to all of the new adventures at the Naples Zoo!”

Ms. Arnett-Chinn received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University, College of Veterinary Medicine in Manhattan, Kansas in 2010. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Biological sciences, emphasis in neurobiology, physiology and behavior from the University of California in 2004.

She began her career in the zoological field with an internship at Sacramento Veterinary Referral Center focusing on small animals, including internal medicine, surgery, emergency, intensive care unit, chemotherapeutic and radiation oncology, cardiology, general practice (small animal and exotics), dermatology, ophthalmology and neurology services. Once gaining this experience, she was offered the veterinary internship with Sacramento Veterinary Referral Center.

Ms. Arnett-Chinn’s next tenure brought her to the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland with another veterinary internship as a clinical veterinarian with primary case responsibility for all animals housed at the aquarium, including sea turtle rehabilitation. She was also responsible for teaching final year veterinary students and she assisted the National Aquarium with their AZA reaccreditation process.

Ms. Arnett-Chinn’s final internship was at the University of Florida as an aquatic animal health intern. This unique opportunity allowed her to work with several large wildlife entities in Florida, including Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Lowery Park Zoo, Florida Aquarium and Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory. While working under Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission she assisted with rescuing manatees in the Northwestern region of the state, she was responsible for all necropsies of manatees in the state of Florida and collecting and processing histological samples. Ms. Arnett-Chinn was a clinical veterinarian at Lowry Park Zoo for all of their collection animals, participating in animal drills, and performing necropsies. Another stop for her clinical veterinarian program included Florida Aquarium with primary case responsibility for all animals housed at the aquarium, including sea turtle rehabilitation. The final stop in her clinical veterinarian program was with Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory in Ruskin, Florida. Her responsibilities included doing full work ups of fish from farms for food, ornamental trade and research. During this time she also assisted with teaching third and fourth year veterinary students.

In 2014, Ms. Arnett-Chinn was offered a full time position at Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford, Massachusetts as a Staff Veterinarian. Her duties included being the sole veterinarian for over 200 animals at the AZA accredited zoo, the manager of a technician and volunteers and veterinary externs.

“As the only AZA accredited zoo in Florida that did not previously have a full time staff veterinarian, we are thrilled to have Lizzy join us at the Naples Zoo” said Liz Harmon, Director of Animal Programs. “She has spent the last four years at zoos and aquariums to expand her clinical skills and abilities to provide high quality medicine to a wide range of animals. She has experience in zoological medicine, she has worked with a wide range of veterinarians and has experience working with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. She will be an excellent asset to our team!”

Located in the heart of Naples, The Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens is nestled in a 44-acre historic botanical garden that was founded in 1919 and offers families a full day wild fun from apes to zebras featuring wildlife shows, cruises and other entertaining educational programming. For more information, contact The Naples Zoo at 239-262-5409 or visit www.NaplesZoo.org.

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