Nancy Carpenter, DVM, Retired, Directorof Animal Health, Utah's Hogle Zoo
Growing up in Topeka, Kansas, the Topeka Zoo exposed Dr. Carpenter to elephants, hippos and giraffes from an early age. She knew early on that she wanted to become a zoo veterinarian. She began her zoo career after completing the “Teaching Zoo” program at Santa Fe Community College in 1982. Since receiving her DVM from the University of Florida in 1993, Dr. Carpenter has worked at the Houston Zoo, Jacksonville Zoo, Topeka Zoo and the National Aquarium in Baltimore. Most recently, she served as the Director of Animal Health at Utah’s Hogle Zoo.
During her tenure at the Hogle Zoo she was part of the design team for the renovation and build of the zoo’s veterinary hospital, the first LEED gold building at the zoo. Following a passion for nutrition, Dr. Carpenter received a Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences in 2018 from the University of Utah.
Dr. Carpenter has served the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in a variety of ways. As a Veterinary Advisor, Nancy has worked with the Pallas Cat SSP, Howler Monkey SSP and Snow Leopard SSP. She has also served as a member of the Animal Health Committee. Although she retired at the beginning of 2022, Dr. Carpenter is still passionate about ensuring the high standards of the AZA and has subsequently continued on as a veterinary accreditation inspector, something that she has enjoyed doing since 2003.