We got up very early and arrived at the Zoo before 8 AM, where we were whisked off to the substantial Vet clinic to be warmly welcomed by one of the doctors. We were given copies of their schedule for the day and got to sit in on the staff’s morning meeting to go over all they had to do. We then climbed aboard a Zoo golf cart with one of the four docs and her medical bag, and went along as she made the rounds! Let me just say it was WAY cool!
Traveling on all the back roads that we had no idea existed was exhilarating. And along the way we got to see so much.
You will set off with the vet in a vehicle like this to make morning rounds.
A bird in the Tropical Bird House was apparently not feeling it’s best, so we got to walk behind the ehxbit and listen to the keepers discuss the condition with the vet, as she inspected the little guy on site. We proceeded to the Reptile House, walking past rows of exhibit doors (with venemous snakes safely BEHIND them) to peek in on a nursery for newly-hatched, rare and precious little frogs (that’s the laymen’s term, as I know they had a name). The keeper was so excited about her little charges, it was inspiring. Before we left, we saw komodo dragon babies and visited with a chameleon; they let my husband feed him (or her) a cricket. Proceeing to the Wortham World of Primates, the doctor checked on a siamang with a probable stomache ache. While she was there, the doctor inquired as to the well being of several monkeys, even though they weren’t on her schedule (which she did in each department we visited). It was clear she cared about every single animal, as did the keepers.
After completing house calls, we returned and got a full tour of the Denton A. Cooley veterinary facilities, then checked on the ”patients” that were in-house getting treatment.
My husband and I were instructed to soap up, don hair nets and face masks, and watch from afar as the doc performed surgery on a raptor’s leg. Then there was a tiny little animal, about the size of a baby hedgehog, who needed a proceedure. There was an aide — a young guy with the build of a linebacker, sporting tattoos –who treated the animal with the utmost tenderness as he secured a tiny cone over it’s nose to administer anesthesia. He monitored it’s heartbeat dilligently and completely focused on making sure the little one was comfortable. Afterwards, he exhibited the same attentiveness until his patient came out of it okay.
A chameleon patient gets an "in house" check up
Then, unplanned, Dr. Joe snapped us up, and drove us around the Zoo, talking to us about how animal care has evolved. He explained that now, by training the animals to come close and open their mouths, offer a paw or foot, stretch out, or go into a chute, they can get most basic check-ups done without having to sedate the animal. It’s much safer and less stressful for them, he said, but I imagine that also goes for their human helpers too.
An Asian Elephant leans in to make it easy for vets to do an ultrasound
So much had fit into the day and yet it was only noon. Instead of watching something like this on Animal Planet, we were right there, living it for ourselves! We learned so much about animals and our zoo, and the people who make it all happen. I had always wondered as to the mysterious goings-on behind the scenes, and we left with a vastly changed perspective of the habitats and animals we thought we knew so well.
Afterwards, we could not stop telling friends and family all about it, and now I’m telling you –a few years later! It was the best birthday gift – one I will never forget — and it stirred a desire to do more at the Zoo. I started volunteering regularly (and now, I work here!).
Whenever there is a special occasion or we have an out of town guest, we book a Behind-The-Scenes Tour. To provide an experience that rare, one that will last a lifetime and simply can’t be done any other way, is an enormous value for the very affordable price. On separate occasions we’ve taken my husband’ son, my friend from LA with her two kids, a couple we know and their kids, and my sister to feed the giraffes, and we’ve also done a Meerkat and Orangutan Tour. And just a few weeks ago, I treated my college roommate’s sister, in from Boston, to a Sea Lion Tour. She met and was completely charmed by Cali…
Cali the sea lion then gave my friend a big kiss
We recommend it to everyone, and now I’m recommending it to you!
What struck me most was the the keepers and vets devotion to each animal, whether they were cute and fuzzy or creepy crawly or just downright not-so-pretty (I’m thinking mole rats). It was clear that in sickeness or in health, the Houston Zoo’s animals got the BEST care and that care was administered not just with the utmost professionalism but with lots of love.
If you want to do a Vet clinic or animal Behind-The-Scenes Tour, reservations can be made by emailing tours@houstonzoo.org or calling 713-533-6550. They need advance notice of course, so it’s never too soon to call and book a time.
And if you want to read more about Vet For a Day specifically, visit http://www.houstonzoo.org/events/tours/vet/ for details.
