Dr. Elias Thorne, Director of Veterinary Medicine & Rehabilitation

Dr. Thorne is the clinical cornerstone of WRET, bringing over twenty years of experience as a veterinarian specializing exclusively in exotic and native North American wildlife species, holding both a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and a Ph.D. in Comparative Animal Anatomy. His extensive training, which includes a fellowship at a major national wildlife research center, allows him to perform complex orthopedic surgeries and innovative medical treatments tailored specifically for wild animals, ensuring the delicate balance between necessary intervention and maintaining the animal’s natural integrity. His philosophy is one of minimal, targeted intervention, utilizing the most advanced diagnostics to create treatment plans that facilitate the fastest, most effective return to self-sufficiency, and he is deeply involved in mentoring every staff member on best practices for everything from fracture stabilization in raptors to critical care for neonatal fawns. Dr. Thorne’s commitment is absolute, often spending his nights supervising critical patients, driven by the belief that every life holds inherent value and deserves a chance to return to the freedom of the wild.

Sarah Chen, Emergency Response Coordinator & Licensed Rehabilitator

As our Emergency Response Coordinator, Sarah Chen is the crucial first point of contact and is responsible for managing our 24/7 rescue operations, a role that demands exceptional calm under pressure and encyclopedic knowledge of regional wildlife behavior and handling protocols. Sarah has been a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for fifteen years and holds certifications in Animal Capture and Chemical Immobilization, ensuring the safest possible rescue of animals in challenging environments, such as high-traffic roadways or complex urban settings. Her work requires her to coordinate a network of over fifty volunteer transporters and first responders, providing immediate guidance to the public over the phone and dispatching teams with rapid efficiency, often making split-second decisions that directly impact an animal’s survivability. Sarah’s empathetic approach, honed over years of emotionally challenging rescue work, is balanced by her rigorous dedication to safety and established procedures, making her an indispensable leader who trains the entire team to prioritize both human safety and the reduction of stress and suffering for the animal patient.

Michael McDonald, Lead Education & Outreach Specialist

Michael McDonald, affectionately known as Mac, is the dynamic force behind WRET’s extensive public education initiatives, channeling his passion for conservation and a Master’s degree in Environmental Science into engaging and impactful community programs. Mac designs and leads all our public workshops, school assemblies, and corporate environmental responsibility seminars, translating complex ecological concepts and rehabilitation science into accessible, family-friendly lessons that resonate with diverse audiences. He is a firm believer that preventing injury is just as important as treating it, and his signature approach involves using interactive demonstrations and positive messaging to promote constructive human-wildlife coexistence, effectively addressing common misconceptions about local species like snakes, coyotes, and bats. His tireless efforts in the community have significantly increased the public’s confidence in identifying and safely reporting distressed animals, and his ability to communicate complex information with warmth and humor ensures that WRET’s educational philosophy reaches thousands of residents annually, strengthening our community roots and deepening regional appreciation for nature.

Jessica Rodriguez, Animal Husbandry & Volunteer Manager

Jessica Rodriguez is the organizational backbone of the facility, managing all aspects of animal husbandry—including specialized dietary needs, enclosure maintenance, and enrichment programs—while simultaneously overseeing the vital efforts of our expansive team of dedicated volunteers. With a background in zookeeping and captive wildlife management, Jessica’s expertise is crucial for ensuring that every recovering animal’s habitat closely mimics its natural environment, minimizing the stress of captivity and actively fostering the development of natural behaviors critical for a successful release. She is responsible for the intricate scheduling, training, and coordination of volunteers, ensuring they are placed in roles that match their skills and that they strictly adhere to the non-negotiable protocols for hygiene and minimal human contact with the patients, effectively managing a large group of passionate individuals with fairness and rigorous adherence to best practices. Jessica’s meticulous attention to detail and her ability to foster a supportive and effective volunteer community are paramount to the facility’s smooth operation, allowing the medical and rescue teams to focus entirely on specialized care.