University of New England

UNE's Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center adds new professional staff, doubling its size

Four new staff members have recently been hired at the Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center (MARC) based in the Marine Science Education and Research Center on the University of New England’s Biddeford campus. These additions double the Center’s staff size.
 
The new hires are Anne Watson of Kennebunkport (volunteer coordinator); Kristen Patchet, C.V.T., from Hyannis, Mass. (senior animal care technician and volunteer supervisor); Shannon Prendiville, formerly of Richarmond, Calif. (animal care/laboratory technician); and Anne Sleeman of Kennebunkport (animal care/water quality technician). 

Funds for two of these positions came from the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program administered by NOAA Fisheries.

UNE’s rehabilitation facility, which is part of a network of centers authorized by the National Marine Fisheries Service to rescue and rehabilitate stranded marine mammals, also provides unique research into the most effective means of rehabilitating marine mammals, the causes of marine mammal mortality and the state of the marine environment.

“These highly experienced and professional staff members form a team that will enhance all of our programs, from education to our cetacean response,” said Keith Matassa, MARC director. “We are now able to continue our mission of cutting-edge rehabilitation and research at MARC.”

Watson has been serving in her current position in a volunteer capacity since 2002. Her responsibilities include recruiting volunteers, training and scheduling them, and providing tours of the facility. She has a bachelor’s degree from Springfield College.

Patchett is a licensed veterinary technician. She earned an associate’s degree in applied animal science from the University of New Hampshire and since 2001 has worked as a stranding coordinator for the Cape Cod Stranding Network, Inc.

Prendiville was a research assistant for Tenera Environmental in California. She graduated from the University of California – Santa Cruz with a bachelor of science in marine biology. She was an assistant supervisor in the university’s Animal Husbandry Department, and also involved with the Pinniped Water Rescue/Whale Disentanglement Team at the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, Calif.

Sleeman has been a MARC animal care volunteer for the past year. She has also done volunteer work for the Sea Turtle Preservation Society in Florida. She earned a business degree from Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire.

(Press release issued Feb. 13, 2006)