A Day in the Life of the Medical Specialist Team

Long before the sanctuary settles into its daily rhythm, the Medical Specialist Team is already at work. Caring for animals with medical needs requires constant coordination, attention to detail, and a carefully structured routine. From medications and treatments to wellness checks, cleaning, record keeping, and communication, there is always something to be done.

7:00 AM - The Day Begins

The opener arrives at 7:00 a.m. and begins with medications, including care for the wolf hybrids, animals in isolation, and animals being monitored in quarantine. Medications and topical treatments at Lillie’s Lighthouse are also started, along with health checks for animals who may need additional attention.

8:30 AM - The Team Gets Moving

When the rest of the Medical Specialist Team arrives, they finish any medications that remain before heading to the house.

The morning includes a wide range of topical treatments, including eye medications, wound cleanings, foot baths, allergy wipes, ear cleanings, and other individualized treatments, along with any remaining oral medications.

The team also provides specialized medical care, conducts wellness checks on animals, and cares for young animals requiring additional monitoring.

Feeding, cleaning enclosures, and providing enrichment are also part of the morning routine.

Not all of the team's work happens directly in front of an animal. Medications are prepared for the evening and following morning, while team members complete the detailed record keeping that helps ensure continuity of care. 

The team reviews medical observation forms submitted by the animal care staff, assesses changes in health, and determines whether additional monitoring or adjustments to an animal's care plan are needed.

Vaccines and monthly injections, including those for arthritis, allergies, and vitamin B12 are also administered as scheduled.

Midday - More Medications, More Teamwork

The Medical Specialist Team comes together with the Dog Team for kenneling and lunch-bowl runs before dividing up again.

Topical treatments continue at the house, while the team helps clean enclosures and delivers lunch bowls to the wolf hybrids.

At 1:00 p.m., another round of oral medications is given throughout the sanctuary, including at the house, Lillie’s Lighthouse, and the isolation areas.

Afternoon - Treatments and Documentation

After lunch, the team continues with weekly topical treatments, injections, medical observation forms, veterinary record updates, and post-surgical checks.

Any incision sites are monitored closely, and any changes are documented so the appropriate members of the care team can respond.

At 4:00 p.m., evening topical treatments begin, including eye medications, wound care, foot baths, allergy wipes, and other individualized treatments.

At 5:00 p.m., evening oral medications are distributed while the team continues treatments and assists the Dog Team with kenneling.

The opener's day ends here, but the 8:30 crew continues through the evening.

Evening - Closing Down the Sanctuary

The remaining Medical Specialist Team members divide up to complete closing routines, including: 

• Feed and care for the bird residents, clean their enclosure, and provide their nighttime environment.
• Feed all puppy litters, administer medications, and clean and secure the space for the night.
• Feed, medicate, and kennel animals requiring individual care while cleaning their surrounding areas.
• Continue any specialized medical care.
• Give the 7:00 p.m. oral and topical medications to animals requiring treatment three times a day.
• Administer final scheduled seizure medications.

One Last Round

The team completes another full round of medications and wellness checks.

At Lillie’s Lighthouse, they administer oral and topical medications, communicate with the Lillie’s Lighthouse crew about how the animals are doing, and check on any animals who have recently required medical attention.

In the isolation wards, the team administers medications and performs wellness checks on every animal. Any new symptoms are documented, and quarantine periods may be adjusted based on each animal's progress and observations.

The final stop is checking on the wolf hybrids and administering medications as needed. 

Every Day, Every Detail

By the time the Medical Specialist Team finishes for the day, they have completed countless medications and treatments, checked on animals throughout the sanctuary, updated medical records, monitored recovering animals, prepared medications for the next day, and communicated with multiple members of the animal care team.

From the first medication at 7:00 a.m. to the final evening wellness checks, the Medical Specialist Team is working behind the scenes every day to make sure the animals in our care receive the treatment, monitoring, and individual attention they need. It is a role that requires organization, consistency, attention to detail, and a deep commitment to the animals. They are such a vital part of our mission, and we appreciate all they do to keep our residents healthy and happy.