ABOUT US

Gary Riggs DVM, ABVP

Dr. Riggs is Board Certified in Avian Practice and one of the first 20 veterinarians to become board certified in the specialty’s charter class. He has over 30 years experience caring for a wide variety of dog, cat, zoo, exotic, avian, and wildlife species. Dr. Riggs has been associated with the Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital since 1981, and is a member of the Metropolitan Veterinary Referral Group. He is the owner of the Barberton Veterinary Clinic and started the Norton based Bird and Exotic Specialty Hospital in 1993.

Dr. Riggs also operates The Animal Clinic: Wadsworth and NorthCoast Bird & Exotic Specialties, an avian/exotic animal referral and emergency clinic located in the Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital. In addition to private practice, Dr. Riggs served as a zoo consulting veterinarian for over 20 years. Within the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, Dr. Riggs served as the Veterinary Advisor for the white winged wood duck Species Survival Plan and was chairman of the Veterinary Advisory Group. Dr. Riggs serves on the Association of Avian Veterinarians Conservation committee and is the association state liaison for Ohio. Dr. Riggs is a member of the board of directors of both Friends of Metro Parks and PEAC (parrot education and adoption centers) of Akron/Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Riggs’ area of research includes diagnosis and prevention of avian tuberculosis.

Dr. Riggs lectures nationally and internationally on a variety of avian and exotic topics and is veterinary advisor for The University of Akron, Metro Parks Serving Summit County, Stark Parks, Medina Raptor Center, and Noah’s Lost Ark exotic animal sanctuary.

Dr. Riggs is a founding member of Wild4Ever (www.wild4ever.com) a 501(C)(3) non-profit wildlife conservation foundation. Wild4Ever supports local wildlife rehabilitation, offers conservation scholarships for local individuals and groups, and supports conservation efforts locally and globally.