Dr. Sharman Hoppes
Sharman Hoppes, DVM, Dipl. ABVP (Avian Practice) is the owner of Texas Avian & Exotic Hospital in Grapevine, Texas and Professor Emerita (2019- ) of the zoological medicine service at Texas A&M University (TAMU).
Sharman Hoppes, DVM, Dipl. ABVP (Avian Practice) is the owner of Texas Avian & Exotic Hospital in Grapevine, Texas and Professor Emerita (2019- ) of the zoological medicine service at Texas A&M University (TAMU).
Dr. Hoppes earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Oklahoma State University in 1993. Prior to that, she worked as a registered nurse for 10 years.
Sharman completed an avian medicine and surgery residency at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999 and became a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) in avian practice in 2000. Sharman then worked as an Associate Veterinarian from 2000-2006 at Copperfield Animal Clinic in Houston Texas.
Researcher
Dr. Hoppes joined TAMU in 2006 and she has served as the Medical Director of the Schubot Exotic Bird Health Center since that time. Her research interests have included avian bornavirus, analgesia, alfaxalone in Quaker parrots, and avian behavior and enrichment. important, on-going project at Schubot Exotic Bird Aviary includes positive reinforcement training.
Educator
Sharman considers it vital to provide mentorship and training to the future generation of avian veterinarians. As of 2022, her hospital has three ABVP residents in training. Dr. Hoppes has also designed a veterinary externship program that allows senior veterinary medical students to obtain hands on-training in avian and exotic animal medicine. In addition, her practice has partnered with the TAMU anesthesia department that allows their three residents to each spend 2 weeks learning about anesthesia in avian and exotic pets to meet their exotic pet board requirements.
Dr. Hoppes has also continued to lecture on avian medicine and surgery to both TAMU veterinary medical students and veterinary technician students. She provides training on avian handling and radiology to as well as instruction on emergency techniques and surgery for the veterinary students. Sharman also continues to mentor veterinary students and she serves as co-advisor to the TAMU Zoo and Exotics Club. In June 2022, she served as a co-instructor for a study abroad program to South Africa for veterinary students. Dr. Hoppes also finds time to work with Dr. Donald Brightsmith, teaching conservation medicine to veterinary students in both the classroom and the field.
Professional organizations
Dr. Hoppes is a Past-President (2012-2013) of the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV). In 2014, she organized and hosted the first international forum on avian bornavirus. She is also a Past Chair of both the AAV Welfare Committee (2010) and the AAV Rescue and Sanctuary Committee (2001-2003). Sharman continues to be an active member of AAV and she is a current member of the Aviculture Committee.
Sharman is also currently a Board Member of both the National Parrot Rescue and Preservation Foundation (NPRPF) and the TAMU Stevenson Companion Animal Life-Care Center, which works to meet physical, emotional, and medical needs of companion animals whose owners are no longer able to provide that care. These owners want to assure their pet’s future before dying, entering a retirement home, or being hospitalized for an extended period.
Honors & Awards
In 2011 and again in 2022, Dr. Hoppes received the George Award, which is given by the NPRPF to an avian veterinarians who has provided excellent care or education on pet bird upkeep, medicine, and surgery. Between 2006-2021, Sharman also regularly received the Association of Avian Veterinarians Honor for Outstanding Service and Commitment to Advancing and Promoting Avian Medicine and Stewardship. The Dr. Sharman Hoppes Educational Endowment, was initially sponsored in 2010 by James and Charli Rohack. This fund, named in Dr. Hoppes’ honor, helps to provide veterinary care for exotic pets and wildlife.
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Bird welfare/outreach
Sharman also provides medical care to rescued birds for multiple bird clubs and aviculture organizations. She has served as a consultant to the American Federation of Aviculture (AFA).
Publications & presentations
Dr. Hoppes has published many papers and book chapters with a focus on avian medicine topics, including avian bornavirus, blood chemistry values, vaccines, and antivirals.
She has also presented over 140 lectures at professional conferences over the past 20 years including the Annual Conference of the AAV, ABVP, the European Association of Avian Veterinarians, and the North American Veterinary conference. She also served as the exotics chair for the Southwestern Veterinary Conference for 3 years.
Over the past 10 years, Sharman has also given over 30 presentations to bird clubs and aviculture organizations, from local clubs to NPRPF’s Parrot Festival, where she has lectured regularly, as well as the AFA.
