Host Gail Buhl welcomes Washington state based mental health therapist Tiffany Wentz-Root to the podcast to discuss self-care for wildlife rehabilitators. This is Part 1 of 2. In Part 1, Tiffany explains her origin story, which includes serving in Iraq for the U.S. Marine Corps in 2003. Tiffany goes on to reveal some of her own past struggles with mental health, how that experience led to her interest in becoming a mental health provider, and how she draws on her experiences to cultivate greater empathy for vulnerable populations she serves.

Gail and Tiffany begin to discuss the phenomenon of "compassion fatigue," a specific type of burnout seen most often in caretaking professions that witness suffering of animals or fellow humans. Tiffany describes the broader theme of burnout as an imbalance between stress and the ability to cope. Compassion fatigue arises out of vicarious trauma, Tiffany explains, which is experienced when the caretaker witnesses suffering of their patient. The episode includes some signs and symptoms of unaddressed trauma such as changes in eating habits, diminished memory, and sleep difficulty.

In Part 2, episode 13, Gail and Tiffany will continue the conversation on maintaining self awareness of one's own mental health and things to do to move forward when feeling stuck in burnout.

Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Our executive producer and host is Gail Buhl. Our producer is Kirk Klocke.

To learn more about The Raptor Center, visit Homepage | The Raptor Center (umn.edu). For more on Partners for Wildlife, visit Partners for Wildlife Home | The Raptor Center (umn.edu).

Host Gail Buhl is back for Part 2 of her in-depth discussion with Minnesota-based wildlife veterinarian Dr. Miranda Torkelson on the medical management of fox. In this episode, Gail and Dr. Miranda touch on topics ranging from the treatment of mange and other parasites to diets, handler safety, housing, and preparation for release. Dr. Miranda urges listeners not to attempt to treat wild fox outside of the guidance of a licensed veterinarian. Dr. Torkelson was very gracious and if you have any questions about fox, fox mange, transfusions (for the veterinarian listeners) etc. please contact her via email: mirtork@gmail.com

Next episode, Gail welcomes Tiffany Wentz-Root to discuss the mental health & wellness aspects of working in wildlife rehabilitation. Tiffany draws on her own experience as both a therapist and a person who has experienced mental health struggles to be able to delve into the topic in a meaningful way. This is a topic that affects all of us, whether we’re aware of it or not, so we hope you’ll join us for season 3, episode 12!



Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Our executive producer and host is Gail Buhl. Our producer is Kirk Klocke.

To learn more about The Raptor Center, visit Homepage | The Raptor Center (umn.edu). For more on Partners for Wildlife, visit Partners for Wildlife Home | The Raptor Center (umn.edu)

Gail Buhl welcomes wildlife veterinarian Dr. Miranda Torkelson for a two-part discussion about the medical management of red foxes. Dr. Miranda starts out with some of her origin story, which includes highlights from her ambitious career in wildlife medicine. Later in the episode, Gail and Dr. Miranda cover the basics of red fox natural history as well as perspectives on often well-meaning but ill-informed attempts by members of the public to try to fight the parasite sarcoptic mange. Dr. Miranda explains why programs such as "Mange By Mail" can do more harm than good and why it's critical to leave treating wild animals to licensed veterinarians. Gail and Dr. Miranda share their own stories of contracting mange (often called scabies when it's an infection in humans). We get itchy just thinking about it!

Next episode, in Part 2, Dr. Miranda and Gail continue talking about the medical management of red foxes with topics that include trapping, more on treating mange, itch & pain control, housing and more! Dr. Miranda has a lot of wisdom and experience to offer on foxes, so we hope you'll join us for episode 11!

Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Our executive producer and host is Gail Buhl. Our producer is Kirk Klocke.

To learn more about The Raptor Center, visit Homepage | The Raptor Center (umn.edu). For more on Partners for Wildlife, visit Partners for Wildlife Home | The Raptor Center (umn.edu).