Pharmacy students learn about unique career paths…with reptiles

College of Pharmacy students in the Veterinary Pharmacy Club recently had a learning experience with some unique animals. The club invited The Herps Alive Foundation, a nonprofit foundation from South Euclid, Ohio that takes in unwanted, abused and neglected reptiles, to campus in January for a learning experience with some scaly creatures.

Keith Gisser, a herpetologist, reptile handler and executive director of the foundation, introduced students to such reptiles as bearded dragons, lizards, African bullfrogs, a blue-tongued skink, and of course, snakes. Gisser said, “Routine health care and pharmaceuticals needs for reptiles and amphibians is rapidly growing and constantly changing – more so than any other field of veterinary medicine.” He hopes to spark desire in the students to want to pursue a career in veterinary pharmacy or use their skills to volunteer.

Rotation in veterinary pharmacy

“Although there are no veterinary pharmacy elective courses currently offered at NEOMED, students can complete rotations pertaining to veterinary pharmacy by working the with the College’s Experiential Education Office,” says Liz Frederickson, Pharm.D., BCPS, associate professor of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences and advisor of the club.  “They can pursue careers in veterinary clinics, assisting veterinarians with the therapeutic care of their patients. They can also work in compounding pharmacies, where they prepare customized formulations for a variety of species.”