Dr. Lisa Harrenstien founded AEVC in 2016 and served as its first clinical veterinarian, growing the practice to include 4 veterinarians, open 7 days a week. She used her extensive background in small animal/exotics medicine, university exotics practice, zoological pathology and zoo practice (including 13 years at the Oregon Zoo) to create AEVC as a welcoming and knowledgeable place for high-quality veterinary care of avian and exotic species. Dr. Harrenstien is a Board Certified Specialist in Zoological Medicine, with Diplomate status in the American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM). The ACZM is a specialty organization related to the care of avian/exotic companion animals, as well as free-ranging wildlife and animals in zoological facilities. Dr. Harrenstien is the only private-practice ACZM Diplomate in the Pacific Northwest. Although Dr. Harrenstien is no longer seeing clinical patients at AEVC, she remains involved as an engaged owner of the practice.

Selected presentations and publications:

Nutrient support for inappetent zoological companion animal (exotics) patients. Webinar for the Portland Veterinary Medical Association, 2024.

Avian analgesia. Presentation at the Oxbow Avian and Exotic Companion Mammal Symposium, 2024.

What’s the big deal about CT scans, anyway? Presentation at the Oxbow Avian and Exotic Companion Mammal Symposium, 2024.

Rhodotorula spp. yeast mycoses in reptiles. Presentation at ExoticsCon 2022.

Calcium issues in zoological companion animals (exotic pets). Presentation at the Oregon Veterinary Conference, 2020.

Analgesia recommendations for zoological companion animals (exotic pets). Presentation at the Oregon Veterinary Conference, 2020.

Dental issues in rabbits and rodents. Presentation for the Portland Veterinary Medical Association, 2018.

Avian and exotic emergency medicine. Presentation for Dove Lewis Emergency Animal Hospital, 2018 and 2016.

Veterinary restraint for zoological companion animals in private practice. Presentation for the Marion Polk Veterinary Association Conference, 2017.

Nutrition in private practice for zoological species. Lectures for the Portland Community College Veterinary Technology program, 2009 through 2017.

Psittacine feather loss: differential diagnoses and diagnostic techniques. Presentation for the Portland Veterinary Medical Association, 2016.

Pain management in wildlife rehab patients. Presentation for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Conference, 2016.

Harrenstien, L. Hemoparasites. In: Five-Minute Veterinary Consult – Avian, ed. Graham, J., 2016.

Harrenstien, L. Viral neoplasms: Marek’s disease, lymphoid leukosis and reticuloendotheliosis. In: Five-Minute Veterinary Consult – Avian, ed. Graham, J., 2016.

GnRH agonists in avian and exotic patients: opportunities and challenges. Presentation at ExoticsCon 2015.

Avian and exotic emergency care. Presentation for the Portland Veterinary Medical Association, 2015.

Galliform medicine and surgery review. Presentation at the Ultrashort Course of the American College of Zoological Medicine, 2013.

The urban chicken. Presentation for the Portland Veterinary Medical Association, 2013.

Mycobacteriosis: a comparative approach. Presentation at the Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 2012.

Harrenstien, L. A., et. al. Mycobacterium avium in pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis): 28 cases. Journal of Zoo Wildlife Medicine, 2006.

Harrenstien, L. A., et. al. Evaluation of a point-of-care blood analyzer and determination of reference ranges for blood parameters in rockfish. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2005.

Harrenstien, L., et. al. Effects of porcine zona pellucida immunocontraceptives in zoo felids. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 2004.

Harrenstien, L., et. al. Disposition of enrofloxacin in red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) and great horned owls (Bubo virginianus) after a single oral, intramuscular, or intravenous dose. Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery, 2000.

Harrenstien, L. Gastrointestinal conditions of pet rabbits. Seminars in Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine, 1999.

Harrenstien, L., et. al. Mammary cancer in captive wild felids and risk factors for its development: a retrospective study of the clinical behavior of 31 cases. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 1996.

Harrenstien, L., et. al. Antibody responses of red wolves (Canis rufus) to canine distemper virus and canine parvovirus vaccination. Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 1997.

Harrenstien, L., et. al. How to handle respiratory, ophthalmic, neurologic and dermatologic problems in rabbits. Veterinary Medicine, 1995.

Harrenstien, L. Critical care in small exotic mammals. Seminars in Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine, 1994.