Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So I'm currently working on a pre-vet program at OSU(Ohio, not Oklahoma,) and I'm trying to find some major snake breeders that would make a good choice for getting a lot of experience with many species' care. I have contacted the Barkers already. Also, I've been looking around for good herp vets that are in the mid-Ohio are that I could intern with. Due to all the on the job liability issues as well as financial issues, I'm trying to find a job as opposed to volunteer work. Any info you guys can provide will be much appreciated.
Keegan

I dont know about a college experience but I could give you the "high school my first pet snake experience", where you could come over and take care of my new snake with me... Im sorry for even posting but im bored

LOL. Might not have been too helpful, but I liked the post. I've been doing a lot of that over the past few years. A lot of it with complete idiots like the college freshman guy getting his girlfriend a $10 turtle for valentines day because it's a cute little animal that can be kept in dorms. *rolls eyes* They tend not to like them so much in 3 months when they realize the turtle is going to grow... or when they find out they have a minimum of 15 more years with it. People with first snakes tend to be pretty good, though. Like to start out knowing what they're getting into. Possibly helped by more places not allowing snakes as pets, and a gross misinterpretation by the general public. Oh well, not supposed to be turning into a ranting post.

Keegan,

Have you considered the columbus Zoo? It might be hard to get in there, but you can get some "zoo experience" and I am sure they could assist you in getting in with a good herp vet.

Chris
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Chris Law
U.A.P.P.E.A.L. (Uniting a Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League)
Herpetoculture Element Representative

There's an exotic vet here in northwest Columbus called Animal Care Unlimited that you might want to try...

http://www.animalcareunlimited.com is their URL. I take my animals there and have been happy with their friendly attitude and good service.
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::i believe in joy > http://www.winds.org/nekomi/hope.html

::my homepage > http://www.winds.org/nekomi

My Growing Zoo:

1.0 Husband (Byron) ^_^
0.1 black cat (Shade)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Zia)
1.0 Leucistic Ratsnake (Houdini)
1.2 Cockatoo cichlids (A. cacatuoides yellow-gold)
1.2 Panduro cichlids (A. panduro)

I have considered the Columbus Zoo, but have heard many, many bad things about it. After talking to the dean of the Vet program here at OSU, it's pretty definite that I won't try to get in there. The OSU Vet program would prefer undergrad students with zoo experience at pretty much any zoo other than the Columbus Zoo. As I understand it, the Columbus Zoo has one of the highest budgets of public or private zoos in the world, and to go along with it, one of the highest mortality records as well. Many exotic animals, but not sure that it's worth it. I plan on talking to the dean again to see where she recommends I go for some experience. I'm looking at trying for San Diego or Toledo Zoos in two or three summers. Lot's of ideas, little time.

I know C&C Reptiles is located in Columbus, you might want to check with them: http://www.JCarrReptiles.com . Other postings that I found in the classified section here include:
Damian Macioce (DMASIO) http://www.freewebs.com/strongholdreptiles/
Dembinski Reptile's, LLC (Don't have contact information for him sorry).

There is also a reptile show there every month, you might want to see if they have a website for it, that should list some of the vendors that attend.

Hope that helps a little. I am from Columbus but have not been there for years.
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
0-1-0 Mountain Horned Dragon - Ki
0-0-1 Aggressive Bearded Dragon - Zeus
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
0-1-0 Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

There is a national organization for reptile vets--don't know the formal name off-hand. You might Google the concept and see what pops up--at least you could have a list. Also, have you run an ad here on Kingsnake under "employment"? Best of luck.
rgds,
althea