A few comments from members regarding the Aviculture Development & Education Foundation, Inc.

MEMBER:

1. Needs. When my birds get sick I need to know what he has, so I look in my scope and find the bugs that are making him sick, I am benefiting from this group by learning more and more on how to do this and what techniques to use, i.e., culture procedures and cleanness.

2. I expect to get my birds treated and healthy much faster than the old method of waiting for the vet and two week period waiting for culture results from the state lab, and another week for the vet to get it in the mail and read it to me, usually the bird is well by then or dead

3. I expect to stay on top of all the unhealthy bugs that plague my flock so that I can find them and eradicate them before they become a problem, now I know what they look like and they cannot hide from me, and I am benefiting from this group by learning constantly learning about new ones and avoiding the dangers that might spread them to my birds.

MEMBER: As for the benefits of membership:

1. Knowledge and self-assurance

2. Health benefits to our birds

3. Equipment and supplies

4. Support and friendship

MEMBER:

1. Needs: Since my flock is "gone through" annually by my vet we have a good handle on the over all picture of the flock. I need to go one step further and be able to "see" things in the interim.

2. To be able to bounce things and ideas off of peers. People who speak the same language, so to speak.

3. Expectations: The help is here if needed, along with support and others knowledge and their willingness to share.

4. Benefits: A better understanding of my flock, and how to better care for them.

MEMBER:

1. To me belonging to the foundation means an opportunity to learn and discuss avian health and wellness in an in-depth level with people more knowledgeable and experienced than myself. In this group I have the opportunity to learn how to do some culturing, gram stains, and learn how to recognize some microscopic parasites.

2. It is stressed we members are to work in conjunction with a sponsoring veterinarian, not to try to replace the expertise of those who are fully trained nor to advise someone else how to treat their birds.

3. We have the opportunity to purchase needed supplies through the organization, We can ask others for their opinions.

4. In my locale no classes are available to the public sector to learn about the keeping and care of exotic birds. As a member of this group I can ask others, listen to what they have to say and not just rely on myself.

MEMBER:

1. Learning about new developments in disease identification and new treatments.

2. Opportunity to discuss with fellow Aviculturist's in interpreting slides or plates.

3. A good tool for the speedy identification and more rapid treatment to assist my veterinarian in helping my birds.

4. Helping to prevent the unnecessary administration of antibiotics or other medications.

MEMBER:

Benefits gained from membership.

1. Improve my personal knowledge of microbiology

2. Gain the benefit of personal research done by each member of a group of like minded individuals.

3. Gain up to date knowledge of diseases which might be relatively unknown or rare in my area but common in another part of the world.

MEMBER: Benefits gained from membership:

1. Specific knowledge regarding avian microbiology.

2. Specific knowledge and skills concerning avian microbiologic diagnosis.

3. Specific knowledge regarding sanitation and sterilization.

4. General knowledge regarding implications of diagnosis to a certain bird.

5. General knowledge regarding implications of diagnosis to the flock.

6. The experiences of leaders of aviculture regarding epidemic outbreaks of common viral pathogens.

EDUCATION:

Business experience creditied by Indian River Community College

Certified Adjunct Professor I.R.C.C. Fort Pierce, FL 1985

San Diego Institute for Transactional Analysis, La Jolla, California, 1977-1979.

Nutrition Eli Lilly Indianapolis, Indiana 1959-1963

Nutrition Shyne Foundation, Inc. Loxahatchee,FL 1991-present

Cosmetologist Indianapolis, Indina 1961; Florida State Board of Cometology 1965

___________

CAREER HISTORY:

Teen Reporter Indianapolis Star Indianapolis,Indiana 1954-1957

Assistant/Manager Royal Academy Indianapolis,Indiana 1957-1960

Manager Royal PlaceTypeAcademy Indianapolis,Indiana 1960-1963

Assistant Manager Salon Dior Indianapolis,Indiana 1963-1964

Owner /CEO Lakewood Park Salon Fort Pierce,Florida 1964-1967

Owner/CEO Dior Building Fort Pierce,Florida 1967-2005

Owner/CEO The Dior Room Fort Pierce,Fl 1970-1975

Founder/Executive Director SAM Inc. Florida Division of Corp. 1969-1975

Owner/Contractor Section 8 HUD Fort Pierce,Fl 1981-1998

Founder/Executive Director Cherane of Florida, Inc. FL. Division of Corp. 1980-1993

Owner/CEO Suite A Confidential Vero Beach, StateFL 1996-2001

Founder/Executive Director Aviculture Microbiology Foundation Inc. (Non profit) 501 C3

FL Division of Corp. Vero Beach,FL 1994-Present

Owner/CEO Heavenly Aviary Vero Beach,FL. 1989-Present

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION:

Teen Reporter Indianapolis Star Indianapolis, Indiana 1953

Cosmetology State Board of Indiana Indianapolis, Indiana 1962-1964

Cosmetology State Board of Florida Tallahassee,FL 1964-present

Certified Zionist Educator Temple Beth El Fort Pierce,FL 1975

Organizational Transactional Analysis - San Diego Institute for Transactional Analysis, La Jolla, California 977-1979

Adjunct Professor Indian River Community College Fort Pierce,FL 1985-1993

Youth Advisor SEFTY Southeast Fl 1984-1989

Certified Veterinary Care (PIJAC) Pet Joint Advisory Council Washington DC 1992

Certified Avian Specialist (PIJAC) Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council Washington DC 1994

CIDESCO USA Candidate Certification, USA National Cosmetology Association 1997;

Model Aviculture Program (MAP) 1998-2004

Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks of US Invention 1994

CAREER -RELATED ACTIVITIES:

Paramedical Consultants, Inc. Progressive clinical Insights 1996-2002

Clinical Skin Care Medical Journal for Skin Clinicians 1996-2002

Exhibitor International Aviculturist Society 1995

American Federation of Aviculture 1992-2001

Judge National Beekeepers Association Florida 1981

Associate (Swimming Special Olympics Florida 1970-1973

Associate Power Lifting Special Olympics Florida 1985-1989

Curatorial Consultant W. Douglas Rosa Exhibitions Port St. Lucie,FL 1966-1975

Specialized Training Transactional Analysis, with Hedges Capers San Diego Institute for Transactional Analysis, La Jolla, California 1977-1979

Specialized Training Transactional Analysis Tampa,Florida 1975-1980

Human Resources Professional Trainee Paris, Canada 1981

Adjunct Professor Personal Modification Fort Pierce, FL 1986-1993

Freelance Researcher Hill country Aviary Dripping Springs,TX 1992-Present

Producer & Director Lakewood Park Association Fort Pierce, FL 1964-1989

Freelance Researcher Voren Research Institute for Psittacultural Science Loxahatchee, Florida 1992-2002

Psittaculture Alliance Kingfisher Veterinary Clinic Boksburg,South Africa 1998-1999

Aviculture Consultant Heavenly Aviary Vero Beach, FL 1992-present

Specialty Organization American Federation of Aviculture Freelance Researcher

Owner/CEO Psittaculture/ Aviculture CAFÉ 2000-present

CREATIVE WORKS:

Patent Psittacine Hand-Feeding Device & Psittacine Hand-Feeding Method. Invention 1995

Author Work Book (Certified Course Personal Modification 1985

Artist Indiana Coliseum) Creative Hair

Artist Certificate of Honor 1964

Artist/Life Drawing Center of the Arts Museum Vero Beach, FL

Contributing Photographer Published Book African Parrot 1999

Freelance Researcher & Contributing Photographer Published Book A Guide to Macaws 2003

Contributing Photographer American Federation of Aviculture P.fuscicollis,fuscicollis by Scott Lewis

Owner/CEO/Author/Publisher Web Designs 1992-present

a. Aviculture.org

b. Birdstores.com

c. HyacinthMacaws.net

d. aviculture.org/Birds/muse (Educational online Courses

Author Work Book 2003 Aviculture Microbiology (reference guide for Psittaculturist)

CIVIC AND POLITICAL ACTIVITIES:

Agent United Way Agency Fort Pierce, Fl 1979-1984

Case Management Epileptic Foundation West Palm Beach, Fl 1974-1980

Associate Special Olympics Vero Beach, Fl 1975-1987

Founder/Executive Director Tri-County Epileptic, Inc Florida Division of Corp. 1977-1983

Speaker (Senate Delegate) National Children's Coalition Fort Pierce, FL 1975

Coordinator Federal Emergency Management Agency Vero Beach, FL 2004-2006

Artist/Paintings Exhibitor Harbor Federal S&L FL 1983-1990

Benefactor Saint Lucie Theater Guild Fort Pierce,FL 1973-1983

Benefactor Foreign Physicians Vero Beach,FL 1999-2001

Educator Temple Beth El Fort Pierce,Fl 1975-1981

Vice- President Beta Sigma Phi Fort Pierce,Fl 1970

Youth Guidance Counselor Temple Beth Shalom Vero Beach,FL

Youth Advisor NFTY placeSouthern Vero Beach,Fl 1985-1988

Educator -Jewish History Temple Beth Shalom Vero Beach,FL 1984-1987

Zionist Educator Temple Beth El Fort Pierce, FL 1975

Associate Fashion Coordinator The Moorings Club Vero Beach,Fl 1985

Model Temple Beth El Sisterhood FL 1975-1980

Benefactor (E. Voren) U.S. National Taekwondo Championships 1995

AWARDS HONORS, GRANTS:

Certificate of Honor Royal Academy Indianapolis,Indiana 1963-1964

Grants for non profit ETC United Way Agency Fort Pierce, Fl 1977

Grants for Non Profit (ETC) University of Florida 1976

CURRENT PROFESSIONAL AND CLUB MEMBERSHIPS:

Executive Director Aviculture Microbiology Foundation, Inc 2000-Present

Member Commercial American Federation of Aviculture 2007-Present

Sustaining Member Aviculture Society of America

Member Creative People Bombay, India 2001-Present

Member VSPN-Veterinary Information Network 2000-Present

Psittaculture Alliance World Trust Parrot USA Stillwater, MN 2004 OUT

AFFILIATIONS:

Aviculture Microbiology Foundation, Inc. specialty organization American Federation of Aviculturist

2000-Present

AVOCATIONS:

Horticulture, Photography, Scrabble, Web Master/Designs , International Aviculture & Psittaculture Alliance Internet Forums

Psittaculture/ Aviculture BREEDERS CAFÉ 2000-Present

Jack M. Gaskin, DVM, Ph.D. Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida

--Type Title Here--

Education

DVM, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 1967

PhD, Veterinary Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY,1973

Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Microbiologists

Research Interests

Veterinary infectious diseases, diagnosis and control

The mission of my laboratory is to improve the recognition and control of selected infectious diseases of animals. I am interested in host responses to infection as they relate to serological diagnosis and the development of vaccines. Antigen production for diagnostic and immunizing purposes is critically important.

I work with a variety of infectious agents, including fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Virus infections of birds, particularly of the parrot family, are a major interest. I investigate disease outbreaks in psittacine aviaries, trying to isolate and identify the causative agent(s). I have worked with psittacine herpesviruses, polyomaviruses, reoviruses, and poxviruses. I am attempting to develop attenuated virus vaccines for Amazonpox, lovebirdpox, and Pacheco's disease. I also seek to find the cause of proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) and a means of identifying asymptomatic carriers of Pacheco's disease.

I'm very interested in infectious diseases of goats. I have developed a caprine cell line which permits me to produce caprine arthritis-encephalitis (CAE) and contagious ecthyma viral antigens. I am interested in the serological detection of CAE and the development of a safe attenuated vaccine for ecthyma (soremouth). In addition, I work with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, the cause of caseous lymphadenitis in sheep and goats, and am evaluating serology as a means of identifying infected animals. I also study C. pseudotuberculosis infections of horses.

Having developed a means to produce precipitating antigens for Rhodococcus equi, I am interested in their application in the diagnosis of rhodococcal infections of foals and other animals. I also am investigating the feasibility of vaccinating against the disease in foals, either through immunization of mares with resultant passive antibody transfer to foals, through direct vaccination of foals, or through a combination of the methods. Analysis of the complexities of the horse/Rhodococcus equi interaction is a major thrust of my laboratory.

Finally, I cannot resist the opportunity to work with other veterinary infectious agents which impact upon my life. Thus, I am trying to develop attenuated virus vaccines for encephalomyocarditis virus infection of zoo animals and flamingopox. I'm investigating desensitization (to staphylococcal antigens) as a means for controlling recurrent staphylococcal infections of dogs. I'm exploring serological means to identify animals infected with pythiosis and conidiobolomycosis. I'm interested in viral diseases of reptiles.

Selected Publications

Schumacher, J., Jacobson, E.R., Homer, B.L., Gaskin, J.M. Inclusion Body Disease of Boid Snakes. J. Zoo Wildl. Med. 25(4):511-524, 1994.

Homer, B.L., Sundberg, J.P., Gaskin, J.M., Schumacher, J., Jacobson, E.R. Immunoperoxidase Detection of Ophidian Paramyxovirus in Snake Lung Using a Polyclonal Antibody. J. Vet. Diagn. Invest. 7(1):72-77, 1995.

Bradley, J.L., Gaskin, J.M., McGuire, P.M. Antigens of Vibrio vulnificus. Microbios 79:7-17, 1994.

Gaskin, J.M., King, R.R., Lane, T.J., Mayhew, I.J., Brewer, B.D. Serological detection of Rhodococcus equi infections of foals. Proceedings, 8th ACVIM Forum, 1990, p. 581-584.

Gaskin, J.M. Psittacine Viral Disease: A Perspective. J. Zoo Wildl. Med. 20: 249-264, 1989.

Citino, S.B., Homer, B.L., Gaskin, J.M., Wickham, D.J.: Fatal Encephalomyocarditis Virus Infection in a Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus abelii) J. Zoo Wildl. Med. 19:214-218, 1988.

William D. Clark, MD, DDS, FACS, FAAP

Board Certified: American Board of Otolaryngology

Dr. Clark has had a life-long interest in the natural world. He became an amateur bird watcher at a young age and became fascinated with parrots when he heard an old Mexican Double Yellow-head sing “When the Merry-go-round Broke Down” at age 4. By age 10 (1950) he had several pairs of breeding budgies and the dream of having a “real’ parrot.

Education and military service delayed major undertakings in this realm. A Biology major in college (University of Texas, Arlington) he next went to dental school (University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston). His dental education was completed just as the Vietnam War was heating up. This led to his volunteering for duty as an Army dentist (1965-67). Medical school (University of Texas, Galveston) followed military service. Internship (Brooke Army Medical Center) and residency in Ear, nose and throat (Walter Reed Army Medical Center) followed. His second army tour ended in 1977, leading to private practice in the Florida Keys. It was here, that he was able to rekindle his interest in birds in general, parrots in particular. The choice of the Florida Keys as a new home was prompted by one of his other passions, angling.

By the early 1980s, he had experience the joys of collecting and breeding numerous species of parrots (including Hyacinth Macaws) and decided to begin studying them in their wild state. That led to the first of almost 30 trips to the tropics of the New World (and one to Cameroon, Africa). He has published a number of articles in the scientific and lay literature based upon his field study of birds, with Hyacinth Macaws being his favorite subject. Hyacinth Macaws in the Wild His articles and observations have been quoted in several important books, including the most comprehensive series of books ever written on birds, Handbook of the Birds of the World, volume 4, page 419 and Parrots: A Guide to Parrots of the World page 417 & 560. His photographs of wildlife subjects have won national awards and have been featured in articles and books by other authors. Some of his photographs and articles appear in several other web sites and a photograph on a commercially produced coffee mug, without his permission.

http:hyacinthmacaw.org

Email:

Ernie Colaizzi

President, co-owner and lab manager for RESEARCH ASSOCIATES LABORATORY, INC. Dallas, Texas

Colaizzi is the Founder of MARE (Midwest Avian Research Expo) ( History of M.A.R.E.) one of biggest providers of funding to avian researchers and projects.

Research Associates Laboratory is one of the most experienced commercial avian research laboratories, working with many researchers and major universities around the U.S. and abroad to develop testing methods and diagnostics for veterinarians and aviculturists alike.

His interest in birds began as a three year old with ducklings and chicks. He then tried psitticines, a budgie, when he age five, and has rarely been without a bird since.

Mr. Colaizzi has kept birds continually since 1972, breeding many rare, threatened and endangered (mostly parrots, but also some softbills, including breeding Bali Mynahs for the first time in 2002).

Dr. Thomas Goldsmith, DVM

AVIARY SECURITY AND THEFT PROTECTION presented by:

Thomas L. Goldsmith DVM MS

Brian Speer, DVM. Dip, ABVP, ECAMS

The Medical Center for Birds

3807 Main Street

Oakley, CA 94561 925-625-1878

Dr. Speer is the past president of the Association of Avian Veterinarians and is an internationally accredited author in avian medicine. He owns and operates The Medical Center for Birds in Oakley, California. He has written many scientific publications for the Association of Avian Veterinarians Journal, and is an international speaker on veterinary issues. He is certified in the European veterinary community, ECAMS. Speer co-authored the popular book Birds For Dummies.

Golden Conures owned by Cherane Pefley

Daryl (Sam) Backos, DVM. Dip, ABVP

Dr. Backos worked as pathologist for Maryland Department of Agriculture in 1980. During the six years tenure, he became well versed in microbiology. In 1986 he moved to Florida to pursue a career in the private sector as an Avian Veterinarian where he was Board Certified in Avian Practice in 1995.

Dr. Backos currently owns and operates

Backos Bird Clinic in Deerfield Beach, Florida where he continues to practice exclusively Avian Veterinary Medicine. (954) 427-0777

Bob Johnson, Educator of Habitats and Nutrition

Bob Johnson has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and a Master's Degree in Psychology. He has been working with parrots for more than 25 years and maintains a 1/4 acre,16' high free-flight natural habitat which houses 130 parrots, 95 of which are macaws. He has taught for both the University of Miami and Florida. International University at Parrot Jungle in the Dade County Schools' Teacher Education Program teaching how to teach about parrots. He was also the guidance counselor at the Miami Agricultural School and taught nutrition and natural health in the Adult Education Program. He specializes in holistic health care which he employs regularly with his birds in the form of natural foods, nutritional supplements, herbs and other natural modalities. He is a frequent speaker at many bird clubs.