What drives someone to trade small animal practice for the wilds of Africa?

Join host Dr. Gershon Alaluf, cohost Dr. Amy Alaluf, and guest Dr. Cheryl Stout, DVM, specializing in Zoo Medicine, for a breathtaking episode of Irreplaceable Truths.

From the Bronx Zoo to rhino conservation in South Africa, Dr. Stout shares her extraordinary path through internships, residencies, and the realities of wildlife medicine — where healing animals sometimes means risking your life.

This episode explores sacrifice, purpose, and what it really takes to follow your calling across continents.

🎧 What you'll discover:

– The road to becoming a zoo and wildlife veterinarian

– The emotional and financial toll of specialty training and residencies

– Lessons from the Bronx Zoo: when home and hospital are one

– How conservation medicine redefines what it means to “help”

– The truth behind rhino dehorning — safety, purpose, and ethics

– Facing burnout, rebuilding purpose, and finding healing in Africa

– Why conservation is as much about people as it is about animals

🐾 Who will love this episode:

– Veterinarians & veterinary students

– Aspiring zoo and wildlife medicine professionals

– Animal conservation advocates and researchers

– Veterinary mentors and educators

– Anyone seeking purpose, adventure, and impact in animal care

🎬 Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Dr. Cheryl Stout, DVM – Zoo Medicine & Conservation

02:16 – The calling: from small animals to wildlife medicine

07:12 – How autoimmune illness changed her career path

12:35 – Life inside the Bronx Zoo — and the alligator with a bathtub plug

20:05 – Surviving residency burnout and rediscovering purpose

25:11 – Returning to Africa: finding meaning through conservation

30:39 – Rhino dehorning explained: protection, safety, and myth-busting

35:40 – The dangers of poaching and working with armed guards

41:03 – Fieldwork reality: instinct over diagnostics

45:00 – The emotional cost of helping wildlife — and knowing when not to intervene

53:05 – The future of zoo medicine, mentorship, and conservation leadership

1:06:00 – Irreplaceable truth: Healing starts with reconnection — to nature and yourself

🔔 Stay Connected:

– Like this video if you found value in this discussion!

– Drop your questions or share your veterinary stories in the comments.

– Subscribe & hit the bell icon to never miss an episode.

📚 Resources Mentioned:

– Dr. Cheryl Stout — @safari_and_scrubs

– The Wildlife Conservation Society (Bronx Zoo Residency)

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios

📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com

Ep. 49

#ZooMedicine #WildlifeVeterinarian #ConservationMedicine #IrreplaceableTruths