Meet our staff

Education:

• Certified TCVM Palliative Care and End of life Practitioner – Chi University - 2022

• Certified Veterinary Medical Manipulation Practitioner - IVMI – 2019

• Diplomate American Board of Veterinary Practitioners – Exotic Companion Mammal Specialty – 2012

• Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist – Chi Institute – 8/2011

• Veterinary Internship:

​Riverbanks Zoological Park (Columbia, SC) - June 1992 to June 1993

• Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine - August 1986 to May1990 

• Veterinary Preceptorships:

 Saint Louis Zoological Park - April 1990 to May 1990 (6 weeks)

​ Sea World of Florida - October 1989 to November 1989 (4 weeks)

• AS – Seward County Community College (Summa Cum Laude) - August 1985 to May 1986• BS - Cook College of Rutgers University - August 1978 to May 1982

• Undergraduate Preceptorship:

​Dekalb Swine Breeders - May 1981 to January 1982

Professional Publications – Exotic Companion Mammals:

• Geriatric Care of Rabbits, Guinea Pigs and Chinchillas - Veterinary Clinics of North America-Exotic Animal Practice, Paul Rati, DVM (Ed), Vol. 23(3), 9/20

• Mammary Tumors in Rats - Clinician’s Briefs, May 2016

• Environmental Enrichment for Small Mammals – Clinician’s Briefs, May 2014

• Rabbit Behavior - Veterinary Clinical Advisor - Diseases and Disorders of Exotic Pets, Mayer J, Donnelly TM (Eds), Elsevier – 2013

• Behavior of Small Mammals - Chapter in Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents, 3rd Edition, James Carpenter and Katherine Quesenberry (Eds), Saunders - 2012

• Senior Editor and Co-Author - Exotic Pet Behavior -Birds, Reptiles and Small Mammals, Elsevier, 5/06 (also published in French and Portuguese)

      Author of the rabbit and guinea pig chapters and co-author of the reptile chapter.

• Rabbit Care and Husbandry- Veterinary Clinics of North America-Exotic Animal Practice, Agnes Rupley, DVM (Ed), Vol. 7(2), 5/04

• Recognizing Pain in Exotics Animals - Exotic DVM Journal Vol. 3(3), 2001

• Practice Tips for Small Mammals - Exotic DVM JournalVol. 3(3), 2001

• Normal Behavior and the Clinical Implications of Abnormal Behavior in Guinea Pigs - Veterinary Clinics of North America/ Exotic Animal Practice, Teresa Lightfoot, DVM (Ed) Vol. 4(3), 9/01

• What Every Veterinarian Should Know About Rabbits - Exotic DVM Journal -Vol. 3(1), 3/01

• Guinea Pigs in Hospital Environment - Exotic DVM Journal- Vol. 3(4), 9/01

• Using Specialized Equipment with Rabbits - Exotic DVM Journal, Vol. 2(4), 2000

• Medical Implications of Abnormal Behavior in Rabbits - Exotic DVM Journal, Vol. 2(4), 2000

Professional Publications – Other Species:

• Clinical Behavioral Medicine – first Author of Chapter in Mader’s Reptile Medicine and Surgery, 2nd Ed, S Divers and S. Stahl (Eds), 2019

• Behavior Therapy for Reptiles – second Author of Chapter in Mader’s Reptile Medicine and Surgery, 2ndEd, S Divers and S Stahl (Eds), 2019

• Equipping the Reptile Practice - Veterinary Clinics of North America - Exotic Pet Practice, Angela Lennox (Ed), 9/05

• Reptile Responsibilities and Veterinary Care for Your Reptiles and Amphibians- Client Education Brochures - ARAV- 2002

• Reptile Behavior Basics for the Clinician - ARAV 2002 Proceedings- 10/02

• Pain Management Considerations and Pain Associated Behaviors in Reptiles and Amphibians - ARAV 2001 Proceedings

• Public Health Education on Salmonella spp and Reptiles - J Am Vet Med Assoc Vol. 219(6), 9/01

• Coelomitis Secondary to Intestinal Impaction of Calcisand in a Leopard Gecko - ARAV 2000 Proceedings

• Plastron Osteotomy and Intestinal Foreign Body removal in an African Spur Thighed Tortoise, Geochelone sulcatta -ARAV 2000 Proceedings

• Anamnesis, Physical Exam, Handling and Restraint of Reptiles and Amphibians - ARAV 2000 Proceedings

• Salmonella Bacteria and Reptiles- Internationally distributed Client Education Brochure - ARAV 2000

• Care in Captivity of White’s Tree Frog - J Herp Med Surg, Vol. 10(2), 2000

• The Use of Through and Through Coelomic Drains for a Refractory Case of Peritonitis in a Green Iguana, Iguana iguana - ARAV 1998 Proceedings

• ARAV Guidelines on Salmonella and Reptiles - J Am Vet Med Assoc and Bul of the ARAV- 7/98

• Hematology, Morphology and Morphometrics of the Loggerhead Sea Turtle in the First Year of Life- Bullet of the ARAV, 1/98

• Second Author, data collector and analyzer - Peracute Mortality in Giraffes- Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine (3rd Edition)- Murray Fowler, DVM, Ph.D. (Editor)

• Clinical Challenge Case Report- Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine- Vol. 22(4), 12/91

Professional Affiliations:

American Veterinary Holistic Medical Association (AVHMA)

Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians (AEMV)

Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV)

American Association of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (AATCVM)

American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB)  

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

Kansas Veterinary Medical Association (KVMA)

Missouri Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA)

Kansas City Veterinary Medical Association (KCVMA)

Former long time member of:

​American Association of Zoological Veterinarians(AAZV)

              Missouri Academy of Veterinary Practitioners (MAVP)

Professional Accomplishments and Involvement:

• Certified Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine Palliative Care and End of Life Practitioner – Chi University - 2022 

• Certified Veterinary Medical Manipulation Practitioner – IVMI – 2019

• Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist -8/11

• Part Time Faculty and Veterinary Course Developer for Metropolitan Community College, Kansas City, MO - 8/2010 to 2012

• Board Member – Animal Health Advisory Committee forthe 3 County - Training for Tomorrow Program as part ofthe Workforce Initiative Grant - 5/10 to 2012

• Member of the Veterinary Well Managed Practice GroupIV – 2006-2011

• AAHA Accreditation of Belton Animal Clinic and Exotic Care Center - 6/06 to present

• AAHA Accreditation of Raymore Animal Clinic – 8/16 to 2019

• Missouri Academy of Veterinary Practitioners (MAVP) President 2005

• MAVP Board Member – 2003-2005• Owner of Belton Animal Clinic and Exotic Care Center, 1308 N. Scott Avenue - 5/02 to present

• Owner of Raymore Animal Clinic 7/16 to present

• Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) President - 2002-2003

• ARAV President Elect and Annual Conference Program chair - 2001-2002

• ARAV Secretary/Treasurer - 2000-2001• ARAV Development Committee Chair -1996 to present

• ARAV Session Chair for ARAV Conference - 1998 to present

• Associate Editor for Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery - Care in Captivity- 1998 to 2004

• Peer Review Editor for Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery - 1998 to 2004

• Developed Salmonella brochures in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to be distributed nationally & internationally by ARAV- 2000

• Developed National Guidelines for Reducing the Risk for Transmission of Salmonella spp. from Reptiles to Humans with Fred Angulo, DVM, Ph.D. of the CDC which were published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) and the ARAV Bulletin in 7/98

• Partner Belton Animal Clinic - 11/97 to 5/02

• Cofounded Project Release Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Manhattan, KS - 1987

• Created Wildlife Healthcare Groups at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine - 1987

Professional Speaking: 

• Southern European Veterinary Conference – Multiple Lecture in Small Mammal Medicine and Surgery - 2021

• Recognizing Medical Implications of Abnormal Behavior in Small Mammals – VIN – 6-2021

• Integrative Medicine for Exotics – Avian, Reptiles and Small Mammals – Chi Institute – 2019

• Veterinary Medical Manipulation in Exotics – IVMI - 2019

• World Small Animal Veterinary Association – Multiple lectures – 7/2019

• Pacific Veterinary Conference 2019 – California Veterinary Medical Association – 8 lectures – 6/2019

• ExoticsCon 2017 – AEMV – Handling Restraint and Venipuncture in Exotics, Rabbit Rescue, Exotic Animal Practice Tips – 9/17

• Blue Pearl Veterinary Technician Seminar – Handling, Restraint and Venipuncture and Practice Tips for Exotics – 5/17

• ExoticsCon 2016 – AEMV – PB Pig Case Report, PB Pig Salt Toxicity, Alternative Modalities for Exotics – 8/16

• Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Conference – Ferret Behavior and Enrichment, Understanding and Managing Rabbit Behavioral Problems, Exotic Animal Practice Tips, Recognizing and Managing Pain in Exotics, Stress and the Single Guinea Pig, Handling Restraint and Venipuncture in Rabbits – 7/13

• MU Exotics Symposium – Feather Picking and Alternative Treatment, Acupuncture in Exotic Animals, Small Mammal Herbivore Gastrointestinal Diseases, Medical and Surgical Cases in Small Mammals – 1/13

• Oxbow Small Mammal Conference – Acupuncture and Cold Laser in Small Mammals – 12-/12

• Western Veterinary Conference – Small Mammal, Bird and Reptile Topics - 2/11

• Central Veterinary Conference - Ferret Behavior, Bird Behavior, Small Mammal Surgeries, Reptile Surgeries, Exotic Pet Practice Tips, Recognizing and Managing Pain in Small Mammals, Stress in Exotics - 8/10

• Michigan Veterinary Conference - Rabbit Behavior, Ferret Behavior, Recognizing Pain and Pain Management in Exotics, Small Mammal Practice Tips, Restraint & Venipuncture in Exotics, Stress in Exotics - 1/10

• SGGA – Speaker at regional sugar glider conference - 6/10

• Western Veterinary Conference - Rabbit Behavior, Ferret Behavior, Stress in Exotics, Avian Behavior, Exotic Animal Practice Tips for Technicians - 2/09

• Midwestern Exotic Animal Conference at Kansas State University - Small Mammal Pain Management Update, Practice Tips in Exotics, Small Mammal Behavior Master Class - 11/08

• WEZAM - University Wisconsin Exotics Symposium -Behavior in Small Mammals and Handling and Restraint and Venipuncture lab - 3-07

• Tufts University Exotic Animal Symposium - Stress and Exotics - 4/07

• MVMA Conference – Exotic Mammal Behavior and Ferret medicine and Surgery - 1/07

• MU Exotics Symposium – Exotic Animal Behavior, Exotic Cases, Pain Management in Exotics - 1/07

• Western Veterinary Conference - Rabbit and Guinea Pig Medicine and Surgery/Behavior/Pain Management 2/06

• Midwest Exotic Animal Conference at Kansas State University - Rabbit Medicine and Surgery/Behavior and Pain Management 11/05

• Missouri Animal Control Officers Association - Handling and Restraint of Exotics 10-05

• Missouri University School of Veterinary Medicine, Exotics Conference - 2 Lectures and Dentistry/Restraint Laboratory 1/04

• Western Veterinary Conference - 4 Small Mammal Lectures + 3 hours Multispecies Exotic Lectures through Japanese Interpreter - 2/03

• Dallas/Fort Worth Exotic Veterinary Medicine Association Conference - 6 Hours Multispecies Exotic Lectures - 11/02

• International Conference on Exotics - 2 Table Topics- 6/03

• San Diego County Veterinary Medical Association Annual Exotic Conference- 6 hrs Reptiles & 6 Hrs Small Mammal - 10/02

• ARAV 2002 Conference- “Reptile Behavior Basics for the Clinician”- 10/02

• University of California/Davis Veterinary School Avian & Exotic Seminar- 2 lectures - 4/02

• Western Veterinary Conference- 4 Reptile Lectures & 4 hour Reptile Wetlab - 2/02

• Midwest Exotic Animal Medicine Conference at Kansas State University- Pain Management Considerations and Pain Associated Behaviors in Reptiles and Amphibians - 10/01

• International Conference on Exotics (ICE)- 2 Lectures, 2 Roundtables - 5/01

• KCVMA Exotic Animal Seminar- Cospeaker on Small Mammal Medicine - 2/01

• Kansas City Beak & Wings Bird Club- Behavior of Birds- 11/00

• ARAV 2000 Conference- Anamnesis, Physical Exam, Handling and Restraint of Reptiles and Amphibians and Coelomitis Secondary to Intestinal Impaction of Calcisand in a Leopard Gecko and Plastron Osteomoy and Intestinal Foreign Body removal in an African Spur Thighed Tortoise Geochelone Sulcatta - 10/000 

• Midwest Herpetological Symposium (Kansas City )- 4 hour Veterinary CE seminar - 10/00

• Midwest Veterinarian Technicians Association- Handling & Restraint of Small Mammal Exotics & Reptiles - 1/00

• Midwest Herpetological Symposium (Iowa)- Reptile Medicine & Surgery - 10/99

• Maplewoods Veterinary Technician College - Annual Presentation to Vet Tech Students on Exotic Animal Handling, Restraint and Laboratory Techniques -1995 to 2001

• ARAV 1999 Conference- Through & Through Coelomic Drains in the Green Iguana - 10/99

• ARAV 1998 Conference- Salmonella & Reptiles- Moderator of Speakers Forum - 10/98

Community Activities, Awards and Personal Interests:

• HELP Humane Animal Shelter – Veterinarian 1997 to Present

• Pajamas for Foster Kids Program Founder -1/09 to Present

• Family Resource Center of Cass County – advisor and fund raiser to help homeless children and families 8/16 to 8/18

• Kindest Kansas Citian Award – 5/2016

• Developed “The Truth About Animal Abuse and Trauma JeoPawdy Game” to be used in conjunction with AniCare Child and AniCare Adult counseling of those who abuse animals – 2012

• Assisting Rosebrooks Shelter for Domestic Violence in developing onsite Animal Shelter; Development of USDA Veterinary program – 2012

• Member of KC-CAN, Kansas City Caring for All Network – developing strategies to address domestic violence against people and pets – 8/11 to 

• Fundraised to purchase pet oxygen masks for all Fire Dept. vehicles in Belton -2010

• Belton Youth’s Home Away from Home - Board of Directors 7/09 to 2011

• Outstanding Community Partner Award 2009 - Midwest Foster Care and Adoption Association

• Belton School District Youth Friends Mentor - 9/01 to 2007

• Member St. Sabina Church -1993 to Present• Belton Evening Optimist Club -1994 to 2003

• President 1999-00, Secretary/Treasurer 1998-99 & 1997-98, Board Member1995-03

• Chairperson-Polar Plunge, Operation Santa, Halloween Train Concession Stands

• Chairperson Belton Police Dog Bullet-proof Vests Fundraiser - 11/99

• Awards for Compassion in Veterinary Medicine and Nutrition from KSU College of Veterinary Medicine 1990

• Happily Married to Martin Bays and Mom to 4 two legged and 2 four legged children

• Enjoy reading, writing and glamping 

Using Alternative Therapies to create better quality of life for my patients and peace of mind for their pet parents.

Helping pets with anxiety, pain, chronic issues and senior care.

Thank you for entrusting me with your pet’s care!