Tracy Bennett

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

Diplomate American Board of Veterinary Practitioners - Avian Specialty

Dr. Bennett received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University in 1994. While at WSU she was the recipient of the Association of Avian Veterinarians scholarship. She began exotic pet practice in Seattle with the late Robert Shelley DVM, immediately after graduation. She founded the Bird and Exotic Clinic of Seattle in 1997 with her husband Dr. Lejnieks. Dr. Bennett became a board certified avian specialist in 2000. She is a past president of the Pacific Northwest Association of Avian and Exotic Veterinarians and is a board member of the Cockatoo Rescue and Sanctuary. She has assisted the Cockatoo Rescue and Sanctuary, the Pacific Northwest Herpetological Society, Seattle Animal Shelter, PAWS Wildlife Center and many other animal rescue organizations. Dr. Bennett has been a speaker at the International Conference on Exotics and at the annual Association of Avian Veterinarians conference. She has published her work on herbal treatment of feather picking in birds and on the holistic treatment of osteoarthritis in birds and has also contributed two chapters in the recently published British Small Animal Veterinary Association’s Manual of Exotic Pets 5th edition. Her chapters covered chelonian medicine and anuran medicine. She and Dr. Lejnieks share their home with 7 parrots, 7 reptiles and 3 dogs.

Published Articles:

Bennett, T. Tips for Selected Clinical Techniques in Anurans and Chelonians.
Exotic DVM. Volume 12.2 p 3-6. 2010.

Bennett T, Jessop M. Turtles and Tortoises. In: BSAVA Manual of Exotic Pets.
5th edition. Merdith A., Johnson-Delaney C. Eds. p 249-272. 2010.

Bennett T. Frogs and Toads. In: BSAVA Manual of Exotic Pets 5th edition.
Merdith A., Johnson-Delaney C. Eds. p 316-330. 2010.

Bennett T, Kelleher D. Holistic Treatment of Osteoarthritis in Psittacines.
Proc. Association of Avian Vets. p 49-52. 2008.

Bennett T, Kelleher D. Herbal Treatment of Feather Picking
Exotic DVM. Volume 4.2 p 29-30. July 2002.

 

Dan V Lejnieks ABVP – exotic companion mammal

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Dan Lejnieks has passed the exotic companion mammal board exams. Dr. Lejnieks is now one of only 2 exotic companion mammal specialists in the entire Pacific Northwest! His specialty includes ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, rodents, chinchillas, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, degus and all other small companion mammals with the exception of dogs and cats. Board certification is a long and difficult process and we are all very proud of Dr. Lejnieks! We hope you will join us in congratulating him!

Dr. Lejnieks graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University in 1994. He spent four and a half years in a postgraduate fellowship at the University of Washington. During his fellowship, he gained extensive experience in cardiovascular and microsurgical techniques. Dr. Lejnieks has published many medical and surgical papers encompassing pioneering techniques in vascular and gastrointestinal surgery in rodents, designed a novel technique for the repair of beak fractures in large psittacines, and has published papers on medical conditions of the male rodent urogenital system. Dr. Lejnieks founded the Bird and Exotic Clinic in 1997 with his wife, Dr. Bennett. Dr. Lejnieks has extensive surgical experience and frequently performs surgery on a referral basis for clinics around the northwest. He has also provided his surgical skills to the Seattle Animal Shelter, Rabbit Haven, PAWS Wildlife Center and the Point Defiance Zoo. Dr. Lejnieks has completed advanced training in avian endoscopy, orthopedic and soft tissue surgery, and dental conditions of lagomorphs and rodents and enjoys a clinical practice that is 90% small exotic mammals. In August of 2008, he spoke at the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians Conference in Savannah, Georgia concerning special medical problems of the male rodent.

Published Articles:

Stomach Implant for Long-Term Erythropoietin Expression in Rats and PDF format

 

Jen Szucs

Office Manager and Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT)

Jen is a licensed veterinary technician. She graduated with a BS in Zoology from the University of Maryland in May 1997. Upon graduation, she started an internship at the PAWS Wildlife Center in Lynnwood where she later worked as a full time wildlife rehabilitator. While at PAWS, she performed initial examinations on admitted patients, assisted in surgeries, managed the daily volunteer staff and cared for the more sensitive patients such as hummingbirds, bats and bear cubs. In 2002, she began working for the International Bird Rescue Research Center (IBRRC) rehabilitating contaminated birds during the San Mateo Mystery Spill in the Bay Area. She then worked with IBRRC on another project in the California desert at a chemical plant. During those projects, Jen gained extensive experience caring for oiled birds. In 2002, Jen began working with us at the the Bird & Exotic Clinic of Seattle and currently is our office manager.

 

Carrie Thomas

Veterinary Assistant

Carrie graduated from the University of Washington in 2007 with a BS in Biology. While at the UW, she travelled to the Galapagos Islands to study the native animals including the tortoises. Carrie has a special interest in reptile care and nursing. She became a veterinary assistant at the Bird and Exotic Clinic in 2007.

 

Michelle Heinlein

Michelle received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington. She started as a volunteer at the PAWS Wildlife Center in Lynwood and later worked as a seasonal employee. Michelle eventually became a full time wildlife rehabilitator. Michelle joined the Bird and Exotic Clinic in 2008.

 

Debbie Campbell

Debbie attended Washington State University. She worked for many years as the office manager at a busy dental practice. In 2004 she began volunteering at the PAWS Wildlife Center. That led to a seasonal position where she gained more experience caring for wildlife patients. Deb joined the staff at the Bird and Exotic Clinic in 2009.

 

Amanda Christensen

Amanda graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2008 with a BA degree in Physical Anthropology concentrating in primate behavior and ecology in Nicaragua and Madagascar. While in college she worked as a veterinary assistant for 2 years. She moved to Seattle in 2009 and worked for one year at the Seattle Humane Society. Amanda joined the Bird and Exotic Clinic in March of 2010.

 

Billy

Front Door Greeter and Clinic Cockatiel

Billy, like many of the Bird & Exotic Clinic staff, started out as a client. Dr. Bennett first met him in 2005 during an annual exam. Two years later, his caretaker had some extenuating circumstances and could no longer care for Billy, who was having some health issues at that time. Billy was a tough little trooper and fought through his kidney and liver problems. During this time a torrid love affair developed between him and Dr. Bennett, as you can see here (Puget Sound Business Journal). Since there was no way the two could ever be separated, Dr. Bennett decided to hire Billy as our full time greeter. In exchange, he gets room, board and lots of love from Dr. Bennett, the staff and our clients.

 

 

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