The first time I heard of Dr. Lauren Powers was from one of her clients
who had sent a sick ferret home with her for intensive care. And, our
first meeting was in a hotel room in Atlanta, where she was tending a
sick ferret! Attending her first symposium, Dr. Powers accompanied an
NC shelter mom and spent time tending to special needs when not in
sessions.

Like many other ferret vets, Dr. Powers was introduced to them in
college, where she began working in the lab of an animal care facility.
Boston University, her alma mater, was using ferrets as models of
physiology and disease. "I cleaned the cages of over 200 intact,
breeding research ferrets. I learned to work quickly and always watch
my back! I adopted a ferret from there, a neutered male named Byron.
I fell in love, and have loved them ever since."

And how could she not love them? Byron was the perfect ambassador. He
was always up for some fun and Dr. Powers learned quickly that she
would have the most fun by "rolling Byron into a ball and bowling him
down the research hallway corridor - and having him come dooking back
for more!"

Of course, ferrets aren't her whole life. For fun, Dr. Powers likes
to play with her daughters. "We take long walks in the mountains and
woods."

And, she plays the fiddle. For those of you who hail from parts north
of the mason-Dixon Line, that's the violin! If the cards fall just
right we may convince her to share her versatility and entertain with
bluegrass or folk, or even something classical, all genres of music
that she loves.

But, if the good doctor discovers the meaning of the word "relax" we
may find her indulging in a bubble bath reading her favorite book,
Cold Mountain, or curled up watching LadyHawke, her favorite movie. If
experience has taught me anything, however, it is not to be surprised
to find her somewhere making the world a little better.

As the current vice president the Association of Exotic Mammal
Veterinarians, Dr. Powers is actively involved in the betterment of our
favorite pet. She received her DVM from Tufts and completed a residency
in avian medicine and surgery at N.C. State. The work she is doing,
along with her gentle, caring ways guarantee she will be remembered "as
a significant contributor to the advancement and promotion of exotic
pet welfare and veterinary medicine."

Dr. Powers practiced general medicine for a year before entering a
small animal, avian and exotics specialty and is certified in Avian
Practice by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. Knowing her
dedication, I would not be surprised to see Dr. Powers become one of
the first to be certified in the new Exotic Companion Mammal specialty
as well.

Whether she is caring for a sick ferret or her two daughters, Sophie
and Lily, it is always with the support of her patient husband, Michael
Baine. It is not surprising, therefore, that she would also like to be
remembered "as a good role model to my two daughters" and "a loving,
devoted wife."

Come meet this compassionate vet and hear her speak on "Knowing When to
Say When" and the importance of necropsies at the upcoming Pittsburgh
Symposium November 7-9. You will be glad you did!

Dr. Powers currently practices medicine in the Charlotte, NC area.
Additional information regarding her practice can be found at:

Avian & Exotic Pet Service
Carolina Veterinary Specialists
12117 Statesville Road
Huntersville, North Carolina 28078
(704) 949-1100 Phone; (704) 949-1101 Fax
http://www.carolinavet.com

-- 
Renee Downs
"Eventually we will realize that if we destroy the ecosystem we
destroy ourselves." Jonas Salk
"The most effective way to do it, is to do it." Amelia Earhart
It's amazing how much can be accomplished if nobody cares who gets
the credit!
Ferret Emergency Response, Rescue & Evacuation Team (F.E.R.R.E.T.)
http://www.ferretemergency.org
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International Ferret Congress
http://www.ferretcongress.org
American Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org

[Posted in FML 6033]