About
Who we are and our history
Drs. Thomas Boyer and Michelle Willette formed the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) in 1990. Originally, the ARAV was called the Association of Amphibian and Reptilian Veterinarians, but quickly changed to ARAV, to avoid confusion with the American Association of Retired Veterinarians. Dr. Boyer started the Bulletin of the ARAV, which evolved into the Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery (JHMS), in 2000, under his editorship. Dr. Willette was essential in the early years of the ARAV, organizing committees, officers, the annual conference and proceedings, in conjunction with Dr. Wilbur Amand. Dr. Amand served as the ARAV’s first executive director, a stabilizing influence from 1994 to 2014 and successfully established the ARAV into the well-respected professional organization that it is today. The first meeting of the ARAV was held in 1994 and has continued annually in the United States.
In 2010 the ARAV began sponsoring international conferences throughout Europe, then in Australia, next in Asia. Conferences are always on the cutting edge of reptilian and amphibian medicine and surgery and often in conjunction with other conferences such as the Association of Zoo Animal Veterinarians, Wild West Veterinary Conference, International Conference on Exotics, Association of Avian Veterinarians, International Conference on Avian Herpetological and Exotic Mammal Medicine, Association of Small Exotic Mammal Veterinarians, Association of Wildlife Veterinarians, Nutritional Advisory Group, and the American Association of Fish Veterinarians. Most recently the ARAV has been a strong partner of the ExoticsCon annual conference series. ARAV conferences boast a great international social gathering of like minded veterinarians in addition to a premier scientific program of lectures and wet labs, given by veterinarians for veterinarians.
In 2010 the ARAV began sponsoring international conferences throughout Europe, then in Australia, next in Asia. Conferences are always on the cutting edge of reptilian and amphibian medicine and surgery and often in conjunction with other conferences such as the Association of Zoo Animal Veterinarians, Wild West Veterinary Conference, International Conference on Exotics, Association of Avian Veterinarians, International Conference on Avian Herpetological and Exotic Mammal Medicine, Association of Small Exotic Mammal Veterinarians, Association of Wildlife Veterinarians, Nutritional Advisory Group, and the American Association of Fish Veterinarians. Most recently the ARAV has been a strong partner of the ExoticsCon annual conference series. ARAV conferences boast a great international social gathering of like minded veterinarians in addition to a premier scientific program of lectures and wet labs, given by veterinarians for veterinarians.
In 1996 the ARAV started a research and conservation fund, with yearly grants, overseen by Dr. Meg Sutherland-Smith, then Byron de la Navarre, to support multiple clinically oriented research and conservation projects focused on reptiles and amphibians. To recognize excellence in reptilian and amphibian medicine and outstanding service towards this field, the ARAV established the Fredric Frye Lifetime Achievement Award, first awarded to Dr. Fredric Frye, in 1998, subsequently awarded to Drs. Elliott Jacobson, John Cooper, Kevin Wright (posthumously), Wilbur Amand, and Douglas Mader.
In 2008 Dr. Mark Mitchell took the helm as the editor-in-chief of the JHMS which moved to online editing, and, by the way, we still need your submissions! The ARAV created a reptile and amphibian veterinary specialty under the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners that earned recognition by the American Board of Veterinary Specialties of the AVMA in 2009. As of 2019, over twenty veterinarians have successfully earned the distinction of being reptile and amphibian specialists. ARAV members were also closely involved with the development of specialty colleges such as the European College of Zoological Medicine (Herpetological Medicine and Zoo Health Management) and the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Sciences (Unusual Pets Chapter). Dr. Dana Varble took over as executive director from 2014 through 2018, replaced by Wendy Dox, in 2019.
The ARAV logo, a Surinam toad, Pipa pipa, with 2 snakes forming the lateral body contours, was created by Sally Hagy-Boyer. The ARAV has benefited from a plethora of veterinarians, too numerous to mention (perusing the list of past presidents gives one a glimpse), and the international cast of veterinarians that are the ARAV continue to promote, improve and move reptile and amphibian medicine and surgery forward.
In 2008 Dr. Mark Mitchell took the helm as the editor-in-chief of the JHMS which moved to online editing, and, by the way, we still need your submissions! The ARAV created a reptile and amphibian veterinary specialty under the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners that earned recognition by the American Board of Veterinary Specialties of the AVMA in 2009. As of 2019, over twenty veterinarians have successfully earned the distinction of being reptile and amphibian specialists. ARAV members were also closely involved with the development of specialty colleges such as the European College of Zoological Medicine (Herpetological Medicine and Zoo Health Management) and the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Sciences (Unusual Pets Chapter). Dr. Dana Varble took over as executive director from 2014 through 2018, replaced by Wendy Dox, in 2019.
The ARAV logo, a Surinam toad, Pipa pipa, with 2 snakes forming the lateral body contours, was created by Sally Hagy-Boyer. The ARAV has benefited from a plethora of veterinarians, too numerous to mention (perusing the list of past presidents gives one a glimpse), and the international cast of veterinarians that are the ARAV continue to promote, improve and move reptile and amphibian medicine and surgery forward.
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Timeline
1990
Formation
Drs. Thomas Boyer and Michelle Willette formed the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) in 1990. Originally called the Association of Amphibian and Reptilian Veterinarians, the name was quickly changed to ARAV, to avoid confusion with the American Association of Retired Veterinarians.
Past Presidents1994
Meeting & Leadership
The first meeting of the ARAV was held in the United States and has continued annually since then.
Dr. Wilber Amand introduced as the ARAV’s first executive director, a stabilizing influence from 1994 to 2014 and successfully established the ARAV into the well-respected professional organization that it is today.
ARAV Executive DirectorsDr. Wilber Amand introduced as the ARAV’s first executive director, a stabilizing influence from 1994 to 2014 and successfully established the ARAV into the well-respected professional organization that it is today.
1996
Conservation & Research Grants
First ARAV Research and Conservation Grant Awarded
by a committee led by Dr. Meg Sutherland-Smith,
followed by Dr. Byron de la Navarre who still chairs the
committee today.
Grant Awarded Research1998
Fredric Frye Lifetime Achievement Award
ARAV creates the Fredric Frye Lifetime Achievement
Award to honor those who have dedicated their careers
to excellence in reptile and amphibian medicine and
outstanding service towards the field. The first recipient
is the award’s namesake, Dr. Fredric Frye.
Frye Lifetime Achievement Awardees2000
Journal of Herpitological Medicine & Surgery
Bulletin of ARAV becomes the Journal of Herpitological
Medicine and Surgery, with Dr. Tom Boyer serving as the
1st editor.
Past and current JHMS Editors2009
Accrediation
The Reptile and Amphibian Veterinary Specialty created by ARAV under
the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners earns recognition by the
American Board of Veterinary Specialties of the AVMA. ARAV members
were also closely involved with the development of specialty colleges
such as the European College of Zoological Medicine (Herpetological
Medicine and Zoo Health Management) and the Australian and New
Zealand College of Veterinary Sciences (Unusual Pets Chapter).
2010
International Conferences
ARAV sponsors it’s first international
conference in Europe followed by Australia
then Asia.
ARAV Sponsored ConferencesBecome A Member
Become a member of a unique and active community dedicated to the medical treatment, surgery, and captive care of the growing reptile and amphibian pet population, captive collections, and conservation of their wild counterpart
Members-Only Benefits
Journal Of Herpetological Medicine And Surgery
ARAV’s own scientific journal dedicated to current research and advancements in herpetological medicine delivered to your mailbox or inbox quarterly.
Find-A-Vet
Be listed in the database where reptile and amphibian owners search for the best vet for their pet.
Herp Blerp
Receive member announcements and association updates monthly in our electronic newsletter.
ARAV Annual Conference
Receive discounted member-only rates to attend ARAV’s annual conference.
ARAV Members-Only Facebook Group
Our members only Facebook group enables you to privately post cases, ask questions, engage and share in discussions with colleagues around the world.
Join Our Professional Network
A community of friendly followers who are willing to work together for the improvement of reptile and amphibian care both in captivity and the wild.
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