It’s time to look back on 2025! Check our blog between Christmas and New Year’s for a variety of stories and memories of 2025 from the staff of the Wildlife Center of Virginia.
As I look back on this past year, I can’t help but smile. I’ve been lucky enough to work here for more than four years now—across two different roles—and no matter my title, one of my favorite parts of the job has always been the same: connecting with and training our incredible volunteers and students.
This year, I had the privilege of watching former volunteers and rehabilitation externs walk back through our doors as veterinary externs. Seeing their skills grow and watching them lean into the passion we always knew was there is incredibly special and a powerful reminder of why I love what I do.
During my first year as a wildlife rehabilitator, I met one of our wonderful rehabilitation externs, Maddison. She had a deep passion for wildlife and a clear goal of becoming a veterinarian. Earlier this year, she emailed me about returning to WCV for a shortened veterinary externship. Nothing makes me happier than receiving an application email from a familiar name that starts with, “Hi Liz! I don’t know if you remember me…”
Reconnecting with Maddison was a joy, and I was impressed by how much she had grown—both in her technical skills and her clinical confidence. One standout moment was watching her gavage-feed a liquid diet to an adult Canada Goose. For those unfamiliar, liquid diet volumes are based on body weight, which for a goose can exceed 120 mL and require multiple 60cc syringes. One of the trickiest parts is switching syringes while keeping the feeding tube in place—a skill Maddison performed seamlessly, making it look effortless. Speaking from experience, this is no easy task, and I only wish I’d gotten a photo!
Watching someone come full circle like this is an incredible feeling, and it’s an honor to play even a small role in their professional development. I know how much my own trainers and coworkers helped shape my path, and I’m incredibly proud of our Center for serving that same role for so many who come through our doors.
To our former students and volunteers—if you’re reading this, please know how proud we are to have been part of your journey. Keep us updated; we always love seeing where life takes you!
— Liz Duffy, Volunteer Coordinator