ADOPTED - OCTOBER 14, 2008

Agenda Item No. 8

Introduced by the County Services Committee of the:

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

RESOLUTION HONORING DR. TARA HARRISON

RESOLUTION #08-274

WHEREAS, established in 1983, the American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM) is the professional organization for veterinarians specializing in the care of nondomestic species in zoos and in the wild; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Harrison studied extensively for an examination given by the American College of Zoological Medicine in order to become a board certified diplomate, this examination which took place over two days at the University of Tennessee and included both written and verbal components; and

WHEREAS, through this certification program, Dr. Harrison has received advanced training in veterinary medicine designating her as a specialist in the medical and surgical treatment of zoo animals; and

WHEREAS, currently, there are just over 100 veterinarians in the world who have obtained this specialty and Dr. Harrison is only the second individual in the State to have qualified for and passed the rigorous requirements and examinations of the American College of Zoological Medicine; and

WHEREAS, the Potter Park Zoo has had a long standing relationship with Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where Dr. Jim Sikarskie, zoo and wildlife veterinarian, is Michigan’s only other board certified diplomate in the American College of Zoological Medicine; and

WHEREAS, with Dr. Harrison’s certification, there now exists a possibility of having a Zoo and Wildlife Veterinary Medicine residency between Potter Park Zoo and the College of Veterinary Medicine, the first American College of Zoological Medicine approved program in the State’s history; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners hereby honors Dr. Tara Harrison for her dedication to the care and management of the animals at the Potter Park Zoo, her outstanding quality of work, her commitment to provide a superior zoo for the citizens of Ingham County, and extends its sincere appreciation for her countless contributions, and the lasting, positive impact she has made during her years of dedicated service to the Potter Park Zoo.

COUNTY SERVICES:  Yeas:  Nolan, De Leon, Copedge, Severino

  Nays:  None            Absent:  Grebner, Soule   Approved 10/7/08