Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah

We've worked with the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah (WRCNU) for years and are always amazed every day at all the wonderful work they do for wild animals. They have saved countless lives throughout the years and released animals back into the wild and proper habitats. The community is lucky to have such a great organization that cares so deeply about the lives of animals.

Over the years we've helped WRCNU with many wild birds and other wildlife, but two instances stand out in our minds.

The Beavers and the Fuel Spill

A few years ago, there was a diesel fuel spill near Willard Bay that affected a whole family of beavers. They were brought to us by WRCNU, and not only was their fur and eyes damaged by the fuel, but they had ingested the fuel as well. We knew this because we could smell the fuel in their urine/feces for days after they arrived at WRCNU. It took months to treat them, until finally the whole family was cleared to go back to their habitat. If it hadn't been for WRCNU and their constant care and dedication, those beavers would've suffered or even died. In fact, we thought we would lose some, if not all of these precious animals.

Moving beavers to release location in the Uintahs

One beaver after release

One beaver eating a carrot after he was healed

Dr. Folland taking a blood sample from tail of one of the beavers

Beaver in the back of DWR after arriving at WRCNU

Phoenix the Golden Eagle

Photo by Kent Keller

This story is tear-jerking and completely amazing. Phoenix was only a baby when a terrible wildfire hit part of Utah in 2012. He was found on July 4 among the ashes, feathers and feet burned and separated from his parents. We knew the parents had been there because prey had been found next to him at the bottom of the cliff, where the nest had once been. It was estimated he had spent 10 days with third degree burns before being found! WRCNU obtained him and brought him to us for treatment. It was heartbreaking knowing he had been burned and alone, with no water and only a little bit of food before being discovered. He was in bad shape to say the least. We were unsure of what might happen to him. Things would look up, but then there would be issues with treatment. Somehow he pulled through. He then developed West Nile Virus on September 11, 2015 and survived that as well. With each event he managed to stay alive, along with the help of PCVC and WRCNU. Unfortunately, Phoenix never did make it back into the wild, but he is alive and currently under the care of WRCNU. He is definitely a miracle bird and wears the name, Phoenix, proudly!

July 4 rescue day. Look closely. There is a ground squirrel in the lower right corner and some hindquarter under him (likely a jack rabbit). Photo credit: Kent Keller

2017 photo of Phoenix. 

Photo credit: Kent Keller

Not every case has a happy ending, but most of them do. We thank WRCNU for all their time and sacrifice to help these animals and get them back into the wild (where they should be).

For more information about WRCNU or to donate, please click the links.

Parrish Creek Veterinary Clinic is the Place to Bring Your Pet

What do you expect to find when you and your pet walk through the doors of Parrish Creek Veterinary Clinic? First, you’ll notice a clean smell throughout the lobby—not the scent of a thousand hounds rolling around in dirt. Then you’ll notice Bob the snake, a green tree python in his habitat (cage), sleeping. And trust me, every time you’ll see Bob, he is asleep—not dead. You may hear some squawking and mumbling from a cage in the corner of the lobby. That is Buckwheat, our Double Yellow-headed Amazon. She is our pride and joy!

Here is Bob, sleeping

Upon entering the clinic lobby, you’ll always be greeted with a smile by one of our awesome receptionists. Courtney is our lead receptionist and has been with our clinic for over four years. She is also a certified dog trainer, so if you have a new puppy, she is your lady.

If your pet happens to need care in our treatment area, feel free to come back with our doctors and technicians. We have an open-door policy, so if you’re ever concerned about your loved one while they are receiving treatment, you have the option to be there with them. Our doctors and staff are highly skilled and sympathetic.

About our doctors:

Dr. Folland is the founder and medical director of Parrish Creek Veterinary Clinic. He is Avian Board Certified, with a passion for exotic animals. In the past he has worked for Hogle Zoo, and currently cares for the birds at Tracy Aviary. He has saved countless eagles that have been rescued, and even helped save a family of beavers that had been affected by an oil spill.

Dr. Echols is another one of our veterinarians at PCVC and Avian Board Certified as well. We are very lucky to have two of the very few Avian Certified vets in the U.S. In addition to working at PCVC, Dr. Echols performs research and lectures at various veterinary conferences throughout the world. He’s spent time in the Amazon rain forest (like Tarzan), studying various species of animals and living in a tree house.

The newest addition to our team is Dr. Stearns. She recently graduated from Cornell and moved all the way out to Utah to train under Dr. Folland and Dr. Echols. Everyone at PCVC are excited to have her as one of our veterinarians.

Dr. Love works for us part-time and is also a Cornell alumna. She has a “LOVE” for animals and brings positive energy to our clinic.

Welcome to Parrish Creek Veterinary Clinic!

This is Buckwheat, our cute Double Yellow-headed Amazon

*Stay tuned for our next blog when we introduce our fantastic technicians*