Dr. Sarah Cannizzo, an associate veterinarian at Fort Worth Zoo, is certified to conduct acupuncture on the zoo’s over 7,000 animals. She has administered acupuncture to animals like rabbits with gastrointestinal issues and geriatric goats with chronic pain. Last fall, Cannizzo was part of a team that administered an experimental vaccine to an elephant calf named Brazos. This vaccine was developed to protect against a deadly virus that affects young elephants.
Cannizzo is one of only two zoo vets in Texas certified by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. Acupuncture, a practice dating back to ancient China, involves inserting needles into specific points on the body to stimulate healing responses. Cannizzo has used acupuncture on around 20 animals at the zoo, including eye acupuncture to treat corneal damage. She ensures that animals are comfortable during the procedure, sometimes conducting it while they are awake and other times while they are under anesthesia.
In addition to her groundbreaking work with acupuncture, Cannizzo also played a crucial role in administering the experimental vaccine to Brazos, the young elephant. This vaccine aims to protect against a deadly virus that affects young elephants in human care. Despite not initially planning to work with animals, Cannizzo made a career change and pursued a path to become a zoo veterinarian. She has been at Fort Worth Zoo for over seven years and continues to make a significant impact on the health and well-being of the animals in her care.
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