The North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine Turtle Rescue Team: A Model for a Successful Wild-Reptile Clinic

The North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine (NCSU-CVM) Turtle Rescue Team (TRT) is a veterinary student–run organization that treats native, sick and injured, wild chelonians. First-, second-, and third-year students are responsible for case management, consultation coordination, diagnostic testing within the hospital, and placing of recuperating animals with local wildlife rehabilitators. Several clinical research publications have resulted from the opportunity to work with these wild reptiles. Active student participants can also gain a course credit by attending eight hours of lecture/seminar related to reptile medicine. With regards to outcome assessment, 86% of survey respondents found the program to be valuable or extremely valuable to their veterinary medical education. The logistics of organizing, supporting, and running this service are discussed, and its value as a clinical learning tool is supported by the results of a survey.