American College of Zoological Medicine Certifies Potter Park Zoo Vet Dr. Harrison

By Billie Harris

Lansing, MI - Potter Park Zoo is proud to announce that Zoo Veterinarian and Animal Curator Dr. Tara Harrison has been certified by the American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM), placing her in an elite group of just over 100 worldwide and making her the state’s first female diplomate and Michigan’s only board certified veterinarian who works at a zoological institution.

"This is a major accomplishment for the zoo,” said Zoo Director Gerry Brady. “Dr. Harrison’s certification exemplifies our dedication to the care and management of the animals here at Potter Park Zoo.”

Dr. Harrison is only the second individual in the state to have qualified for and passed the rigorous requirements and examinations of the American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM). Currently, there are just over 100 other veterinarians in the world in this specialty.

Through this certification program Dr. Harrison has received advanced training in veterinary medicine, designating her as a specialist in the medical and surgical treatment of zoo animals. The examination took place over two days at the University of Tennessee and included both written and verbal components. Prior to taking the exam, Dr. Harrison participated in several courses offered by ACZM.

Potter Park Zoo has had a long standing relationship with Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where Dr Jim Sikarskie, zoo and wildlife veterinarian, is Michigan’s only other board certified diplomate in the American College of Zoological Medicine. 

With Dr. Harrison’s certification, there now exists a possibility of having a Zoo and Wildlife Veterinary Medicine residency between Potter Park Zoo and the College of Veterinary Medicine. It would be the first ACZM approved program in the state’s history.
  
Established in 1983, ACZM is the professional organization for veterinarians specializing in the care of nondomestic species in zoos and in the wild.

Potter Park Zoo is located at 1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave. within Potter Park along the Red Cedar River in Lansing, Michigan.  The zoo is open daily year-round, summer hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call 517.483.4221 or visit www.potterparkzoo.org