The Avian Conservation Center/Center for Birds of Prey has surpassed a remarkable 1,000 birds treated in 2026, and has engaged Dr. Olivia Galeuzzi, DVM, as its first full-time veterinarian, a role created to expand and strengthen the medical care the Center provides to injured birds of prey and shorebirds as well as its collection of educational ambassadors.
Dr. Galeuzzi will join the Center's experienced clinical team in September, bringing a specialized background in wildlife, avian, and exotic animal medicine. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Atlantic Veterinary College and most recently served as a Veterinary Intern at the Wildlife Center of Virginia, where she provided medical and surgical care for a high-volume wildlife caseload and mentored veterinary students, technician interns, and volunteers.
Her training includes clinical externships at the Calgary Zoo and Vancouver Aquarium, advanced coursework in avian orthopedics through the University of Minnesota's Raptor Center, and multiple professional presentations on raptor ophthalmology, a subspecialty only a small number of veterinarians nationwide practice, and one directly relevant to treating window-strike and vehicle-collision injuries common among birds of prey. She is a published wildlife health researcher and has represented the field in academic and public forums.
The addition of a full-time veterinarian comes as the Center reaches the 1,000-bird mark earlier in the year than ever before, putting the organization on pace to surpass its prior annual total of roughly 1,003 birds treated and set a new record for the number of birds treated in a single year.
"This year has been a turning point for our organization," said Stephen Schabel, President and CEO of the Avian Conservation Center. "Surpassing 1,000 birds admitted so early in the year is a testament to the dedication of our staff and volunteers. We’ve been looking to hire a full-time veterinarian for quite a while, and welcoming Dr. Galeuzzi ensures we can meet our growing demands without compromising the quality of care every bird deserves. Her background in wildlife and avian medicine makes her an exceptional fit for the work we do here."
"It is a privilege to join the team at the Avian Conservation Center and use my unique training from the Wildlife Center of Virginia to continue providing medical care for sick and injured birds of the region. Each patient has a unique story to tell; one that can help us better understand our role as stewards for our local ecosystems, wildlife and human health,” said Dr. Olivia Galeuzzi, DVM. “The Avian Medical Clinic's growing needs are a strong fit for making a meaningful impact in a field I am passionate about, while contributing to public education and important research initiatives."
To learn more about the Center's mission or to support its work, visit thecenterforbirdsofprey.org.