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INTENTION
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This checklist is intended for prospective, new, and current wildlife rehabilitators looking for a system to track and guide their training. Please note, you must be a permitted wildlife rehabilitator or a licensed veterinarian to possess and treat wildlife. Refer to your state and federal regulations for more details.
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PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE
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Resources are provided for initial education and are not a substitute for practical, hands-on experience. Some skills should only be performed by licensed veterinarians or technicians. Others are appropriate for licensed rehabilitators or those working under the direct supervision of a veterinarian or licensed rehabilitator. Please discuss all skills and treatments with your veterinarian on record and/or your licensed rehabilitator prior to performing them on a patient.

The best way to gain the needed practical experience is to volunteer, intern, or work with/for a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Reach out to your local permitting entity or state wildlife agency (Fish and Wildlife, Fish and Game, etc.) to find a rehabilitator near you.
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HOW TO USE
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Step 1: Obtain your personal version of the skills list.
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Download a copy of the skills list from the P4W website and save to your computer. If you do not have Microsoft Excel, you will need to upload your copy of the skills checklist to your Google Drive. After uploading, you can open the file and see/edit it using Google Sheets.
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Step 2: Edit animal group list to suit your needs.
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Since there is variation in some of the skills based on the animal group/species, we recommend modifying the list to suit your training preferences. For example, the category Reptile may be divided into Turtle, Snake, and Lizard or even further by species or lifestyle.

To add groups/species:
- Right click a column in the Animal Groups / Species section
- Select “Insert”
- Type the group/species name in empty box

Additionally, you can remove categories that do not apply to your training needs. For example, the Reptile category may be removed entirely if you do not treat that group of animals.

To remove groups/species:
- Right click the column for the species/group you want to remove
- Select “Delete”
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Step 3: Edit skills list to suit your needs.
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The skills list was designed to be comprehensive, and as mentioned above, rehabilitator goals and skill sets vary dramatically from person-to-person. Remove skills you feel are outside the scope of your training goals.

To remove skills:
- Right click the row for the skill you want to remove
- Select “Delete”

Additionally, add skills you feel are missing and any specificities that apply to your specific situation that the general list does not reflect.

To add skills:
- Right click a row in the correct general category for the skill you want to add
- Select “Add”
- Fill in the "Skill" and "Description" cells

If you need help, discuss skills with a licensed rehabilitator and/or your veterinarian on record to guide your decisions.
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Step 4: Use the list to track your skills and guide your training.
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As you review the training resources and gain practical experience, mark the various groups and skills to reflect this. You may choose to “X” off boxes to indicate you are 100% confident and skilled. Alternatively, you can come up with a more specific method to denote where you are in the process of training before proficiency is gained (ex: “R” = read material, “P” = hands on practice, “X” = proficiency).

If choosing to print the list, make sure to adjust your print settings so all columns are visible on one page and the frozen rows at the top of the sheet reprint on each page.
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