by Jennifer Langan, DVM, DACZM

About Her Story

"This polar bear recovered thanks to the efforts of many caring individuals who helped provide the life-saving treatment he needed. It’s a case that reminded me how lucky I am to be a zoo veterinarian."

About the Author

Jennifer Langan has had a lifelong interest in both free-ranging and captive wildlife. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science at the Agricultural College of the University of Illinois, she completed her studies at its College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Langan did a small animal internship at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston and a residency in zoological medicine at the University of Tennessee, and then completed a fellowship with the Conservation Medicine Center of Chicago at Brookfield Zoo. Board-certified by the American College of Zoological Medicine in 2001, she subsequently joined the faculty at the University of Illinois where she is now an Assistant Clinical Professor. Dr. Langan co-founded the Chicago Zoological and Aquatic Animal Residency Program, of which she is one of the directors. She spends the majority of her time as a clinical veterinarian working with students and residents at Brookfield Zoo.