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New York State        Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, Inc

BOARD MEMBER BIOS

Amy Freiman, newsletter editor, treasurer Amy is the retired Director of Sweetbriar Nature Center.  She began her love of animals while working for a veterinarian during high school and college.  This interest continued throughout Amy's career. She is among the early members of NYSWRC and is the current editor of the newsletter Release and the Treasurer.  Amy is pleased to continue assisting other rehabilitators through her work with NYSWRC. Amy holds a state and federal license and works with RVS species and raptors.  She is a volunteer for the Newcomb Adirondack Visitor's Center and active in Northern New York Audubon.   Steve Freiman, vice president Steven Freiman is a retired teacher. He is the current Board of Education President at Newcomb Central School.  He was an active volunteer at the Sweetbriar Nature Center.  He is currently the Vice-President of the New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, where his prime responsibility is to oversee the annual statewide training classes. Steve is an assistant rehabilitator, and enjoys helping his wife Amy care for wildlife.

 Beverly Jones
Beverly Jones has been involved with rehabilitation since 1985.  Bev was volunteer at the Ross Park Zoo and the Southern Tier Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.  Bev attended SUNY Buffalo and obtained a BS degree in Environmental Science.  She spent a year and a half at The Conservancy Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Naples, Florida and worked with a wide array of subtropical wildlife.  Later, she had the privilege to work during three summers as a hack site attendant for the Peregrine Fund.  Bev graduated from Medaille College's Veterinary Technician program and has taken a full time position at the Erie County SPCA as a wildlife rehabilitation assistant/veterinary technician. (elected to the board Oct 2000)
 
Jean Alden, membership
Jean Alden has been a volunteer with the Wildlife Department of the Erie Co. SPCA since 1998 and has been state licensed since 1999.  Jean's involvement with wildlife rehabilitation began twelve years ago when she became a volunteer at the Buffalo Zoo working in the Rare and Nocturnal Mammal Department.  In 2001 she completed the Bander's Training Course from the Braddock Bay Bird Observatory and in 2002 received her oil spill training certification.  Jean has a BS degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina.  Prior to her involvement in wildlife rehabilitation she was a teacher and assistant principal.  Jean has a special interest in small mammals and waterfowl.

Sue Heighling
Sue’s appreciation for nature attracted her to the Erie County SPCA’s wildlife department nearly three years ago.  Since that time, Sue has attended several NYSWRC seminars and has become a New York State Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator.  Sue works several shifts per week at the SPCA Wildlife Department as a shift supervisor who assists and teaches other volunteers about wildlife care.  Sue cares for a large variety of wild creatures but is particularly fond of small mammals.  She has a knack for raising tiny mice that most find to be so challenging.  Sue has recently completed a successful career in the real estate business so she can focus her time and energies on her family and wildlife work.  Sue’s passions outside of wildlife rehab include nature photography and birding.  Sue and her husband, Bob, are currently constructing their dream “home away from home” in northern Canada where they will be able to spend even more time communing with mother nature and all things wild. 

Barbara Hollands, LVT, MS (Licensed Veterinary Technician)

Barbara has been a state and federally licensed Class II wildlife rehabilitator since 1988.  Barb specializes in all mammals, concentrating on the higher mammals: coyote, fox, and rabies vector species.  Barbara was the North East Regional Director for EARS (Emergency Animal Rescue Service Disaster Response Team) for nine years and responded to over seven hurricanes, including Katrina.  She currently is a team responder for NYS, NC, and FLA SART teams, CODE 3 Associates, and NVRT-1 (National Veterinary Response Team) with a class five security clearance.

In addition, Barbara has a nuisance wildlife license, is certified for Chemical Immobilization, Oil Spill Training, Rabies Vector Species, and is a New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council Board Member.  One of her tasks as a board member, in conjunction with the NYS DEC Special License Unit, is to conduct the NYS Rabies Certification Course each year.

Barb has a Masters of Science in Adult and Public Education with a Certification in Human Resource Management from Buffalo State College.  She also attended St. John Fisher College with a Bachelor in Science and was inducted into Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society, and was honored with the St. John Fisher’s Outstanding Adult Student Award 2002.  

She currently works for the Webster Police Department in the Animal Control Unit and for the American Red Cross in developing their Pet CPR and First Aid programs, incorporating disaster preparedness for animals and as an instructor.