Eighteen exceptional avian veterinarians from all around the world were nominated for the 2025 T.J. Lafeber Avian Practitioner of the Year Award. The independent Selection Committee narrowed this list to five finalists and the 2025 Avian Practitioner of the Year, Dr. Julia Ponder, was announced during the Plenary Session of the 46th Annual Conference of the Association of Avian Veterinarians.
Julia Ponder, DVM, MPH served as Executive Director of The Raptor Center from 2007-2021 and Associate Dean for External Partnerships and Engagement at the University of Minnesota (UMN) College of Veterinary Medicine from 2021 until she retired in 2024. Julia earned both a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science in 1982 and a doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1984 from Texas A&M University. She had 17 years of experience as a small animal practitioner before joining UMN in 2002 as a Staff Veterinarian at The Raptor Center (TRC), one of the leading programs in the world for raptor medicine. Dr. Ponder was named interim director of TRC in 2005.
Wing injuries may present as a wing droop or an inability to fly. The figure-of-eight bandage, or wing wrap, is the standard method for stabilizing the wing short-term. See the NEW and improved version of LafeberVet’s wing wrap placement video clip.
Fungi are among the most common causes of infectious disease in captive birds, and fungal diseases can be challenging to diagnose, as well as treat. Because fungi are typically opportunistic, causing non-contagious disease in susceptible individuals, prevention and treatment require an understanding of etiology as well as predisposing factors.
Created by LafeberVet and adapted from a standard ophthalmic exam form at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Download Avian Ophthalmic Exam Form 2 PDF .
Provided by Dr. Patrick Redig and Dr. Julia Ponder of The Raptor Center.
