Feathers of the Future – HBD’s Student Ambassador Program

Kaitlyn has served in a leadership capacity on multiple non-profit boards and has offered outreach advice to numerous veterinary associations and small businesses over the past decade. She loves helping people share their vision, passions, and skills with the world around them. Having a special interest in avian exotic medicine, she is excited to partner with Harrison’s Bird Foods to invest in the next generation of avian veterinarians through the development of a college outreach program. She hopes it will open up new opportunities for veterinary students to learn about birds, and create better access to care in the future for people’s beloved pets. 

Jesus Hernandez is a second-year DVM student at Purdue University who is spear-heading the program at that school until his graduation in 2026. Originally from Colombia, his main interests in veterinary medicine are exotic animal care (avian inclined) and soft tissue surgery. He is actively involved in veterinary school leadership positions, including President of the Shelter Medicine Club, Fundraising Chair for SVECCS, President of the International Veterinary Student Association Purdue Chapter, and Chair of the Wild and Exotic Animals Network IVSA Global.

According to Jesus, “I’m enthusiastic about representing the standards of Harrison’s Bird Foods, sharing critical knowledge on bird nutrition and teaching fellow DVM candidates about the benefits that Harrison’s has to offer. My goal is to make meaningful contributions to the veterinary field and uphold its high standards.”

Lauren Pengiel is a second year veterinary student at Purdue University. Her career aspiration is to be a small animal and exotic companion animal general practitioner. She is very passionate about the exotic animal field and welcomes every opportunity that allows her to learn more about these species. Currently, she is the Symposium Coordinator for Purdue’s Exotics Club, scheduling and planning the annual Exotics Symposium.

 

According to Lauren, “I cannot wait to represent Harrison’s Bird Foods and help educate my fellow DVM students on the importance of avian nutrition and management.”

Bryce Gabbard (he/him), a second-year veterinary student at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, aspires to be a zoo/wildlife veterinarian. He is particularly interested in parasitology research, marine mammal medicine, and avian medicine. Actively involved in multiple facets of the veterinary college he currently serves as an ER student worker, the president-elect for the Exotic Animal Medicine Club, and the treasurer-elect for the Avian Medicine Club.

Anne Pannent is a second-year DVM student at Long Island University. Anne’s desire is to pursue exotics, reptiles, avian medicine, and education. She is very passionate about filling the huge need for these animals. As a past President of the Birding Club and member of Special Species Club Anne enjoys the creativity and challenge of getting information out to the school campus.

 

According to Anne, “I am excited about representing Harrison’s Bird Foods and will share my passion that proper care and nutrition is paramount to owning any pet. I am inspired to make this a strong pillar to share with my DVM students and in my career as a veterinarian.”

Toni Kim is a wife, mother of two, and current second year student at the University of Illinois. She currently serves on the executive boards of the Non-Traditional Species Club, Illinois Student Chapter of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians, and is a team leader at the university’s Wildlife Medical Clinic. After graduation, she hopes to combine her passions for zoological, shelter, and emergency medicines to serve non-traditional species in the community.

Jacob is a current third-year student at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. He plans to pursue a career in zoological medicine after graduating from veterinary school. His passion for avian species keeps Jacob involved in many activities such as the Wildlife Medical Clinic, where students can learn about how to care for many species of native birds!

Noah Goldfarb is a DVM candidate in the class of 2026 at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (Virginia Tech), with a strong passion for Avian Medicine. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Animal and Poultry Sciences from Virginia Tech, where he earned a “Poultry Emphasis” and spent two years working with and participating in research on the school’s poultry flock. Since starting veterinary school, Noah has been committed to growing the avian learning opportunities at his school. He founded the “Zoo, Exotic Pet, and Wildlife Medicine Club at Virginia Tech,” serves as President of his school’s Wildlife Ward, where he cares for a variety of native bird patients, and established a chapter of the Association of Avian Veterinarians at his school. After graduation, Noah plans to pursue an exotic-pet specialty internship, with the ultimate goal of completing an ABVP residency and working in a practice that caters exclusively to avian and exotic patients. He is excited to join the Harrison’s Bird Foods Student Ambassador program, which provides valuable opportunities to grow his knowledge and expertise in avian care.

Melissa Pineda-Perez is a third year veterinary student at North Carolina State University. She aspires to be a small animal and exotics veterinarian; she is currently planning on becoming board certified in avian practice. As the avian representative for WAAZM (Wildlife, Avian, Aquatic, and Zoological Medicine) at NC State, she has worked towards providing avian opportunities to students and hopes to continue to do this as a Harrison’s student ambassador.

Jessica Petry is a second year veterinary student at North Carolina State University. Her career goal is to practice as a small animal and exotic general practitioner, with plans to expand exotic care to more rural areas of North Carolina. On campus, she is part of the college’s WAAZM (Wildlife, Avian, Aquatic, and Zoological Medicine) club and serves as a leader in the Carnivore Conservation Crew.

According to Jessica, “I’m excited to work with Harrison’s Bird Food to bring knowledge about quality nutrition and care for avian species to my colleagues at NCSU.”

Rachel Hirota is a DVM/MPVM candidate at the University of California-Davis. Her passions include zoological and exotic animal medicine, animal welfare, access to care, the human-animal bond, and avian health and welfare research. She holds several student leadership positions as one of the presidents of the Wildlife and Aquatic Animal Medicine Club, an event coordinator of the Student Chapter for the Society of Theriogenology, a committee member of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, and the teaching assistant for the Knights Landing One Health Center Veterinary Clinic undergraduate course.

According to Rachel, “I hope to bring more awareness about avian health, welfare, and interactions to the veterinary student community, at UC Davis and beyond. Nutrition is a key domain in animal welfare and I’m excited to work with Harrison’s in informing students.”

Cherin is a second year DVM student at Michigan State University. She has a diverse range of interests spanning small animals to exotics. Her ultimate goal as a veterinarian is to enhance animal welfare by educating the public on responsible pet care practices. Cherin’s passion for avian medicine began during her time as a flamingo behavior research intern at a zoo, where she developed a particular interest in bird health. As an ambassador, she is eager to expand her knowledge of avian nutrition and support her classmates in becoming bird food experts.