Dr. Richard S. Funk, DVM

Dr. Funk is a who's who of veterinarians, especially in the reptile community.  He has countless publications to his credit, has lectured nationally and internationally, has been very active in the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians, including serving as its President, being a member of its Executive and Editorial Boards, serving as the co-chair of the Legislative and Welfare Committee, and teaching workshops at the annual conferences.  He currently helps train interns and externs, serves as an advisor to other vets and several zoos, and is an Adjunct Professor at the newly-formed Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine in Glendale, Arizona.   He serves as a consulting vet for the herp collections at Arizona State University, Mesa Community College, and Scottsdale Community College, and works full time at a very busy small animal and exotics practice in Mesa, Arizona. He has been keeping and breeding various herp species for several decades.  Being a Galapagos Tortoise owner, he shares in the health concerns and conservation of these gentle giants.

Wendy DeBevoise

Wendy is an avid tortoise keeper, having kept many different species for over 25 years, her favorite is the Galapagos Tortoise!  An advocate for all tortoise species she speaks at schools, community events and has taught summer tortoise camps for youth at her local Parks & Recreation Department.  Educating the public on the care and conservation of tortoises is her passion!  Wendy unknowingly began the Galapagos Tortoise Study over 10 years ago while in her quest for proper husbandry practices for the species.  She contacted anyone and everyone who had any knowledge of the Galapagos Tortoise!  She talked to private keepers, zoo keepers, biologists, scientists, and veterinarians, many whom she calls friends today, in hopes of determining proper husbandry practices.  While discussing the proper care one health issue often came up, the neck swellings and edema, and the premature death of these amazing animals. Today, Wendy continues her research by consulting with fellow keepers and specialists of Galapagos Tortoises.  She feels that teamwork is the only way to solve this health crisis, her motto is:  "Together we can make a difference in the lives of these amazing tortoises!" 

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