Debbie McGuire
Executive Director More about Debbie
Debbie McGuire is currently serving as the Executive Director for the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center (WWCC) in Huntington Beach, CA. She first became involved with wildlife during the American Trader oil spill (Huntington Beach) in 1990. Debbie has been actively engaged in responding to oil spills and in rehabilitating wildlife ever since the spill. She is a member of the Oiled Wildlife Care Network and is trained as an oil spill supervisor for Field Capture. She is certified for Hazing and Recovery of wildlife, as well as Stabilization and Treatment. Over the years, she has responded to numerous spills involving oiled avian and mammal species. Debbie is an original board member for the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center, formed in 1990. She worked for 25 years as Hospital Administrator for All Creatures Care Cottage, formed by the late Dr. Joel Pasco. As Executive Director for WWCC, she has woven a unique relationship with local animal control agencies, and county and city park rangers that allows for important cooperation to get wildlife in need into care at WWCC. |
Dr. Elizabeth Wood, D.V.M.
Medical Director, Veterinarian More about Dr. Wood
Dr. Elizabeth Wood is the veterinarian and Medical Director at WWCC. Dr. Wood obtained her undergraduate degrees in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies from the University of California Santa Cruz. She obtained her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Western University of Health Sciences. Dr. Wood has had a lifelong passion for wildlife conservation and has experience working with wildlife organizations, zoos, and research projects throughout California, Oregon, Washington DC, Costa Rica, and Namibia. She had the recent honor of traveling to Midway Atoll to participate in a project in collaboration with the US Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the endangered Laysan duck. She enjoys fostering relationships with other wildlife centers and veterinarians, as well as teaching pre-vet and vet students about wildlife medicine. She is grateful to the WWCC team for their enthusiasm and desire to have a positive impact on our local environment. When she’s not taking care of wildlife you can find her having adventures outdoors; she loves camping, kayaking, biking, sailing, skiing, and exploring our beautiful natural world. |
Animal Care
Teal Helms
Wildlife Care Manager More about Teal
Teal assumes the role of Wildlife Care Manager at WWCC. She is currently studying Fish and Wildlife Science at Oregon State University, aspiring to undertake a Master's in Wildlife Biology. As an Oiled Wildlife Care Specialist, she actively participates in mitigating the impact of oil spills and cares for individually oiled animals that come through the center. Teal is committed to elevating standards in wildlife patient care and advancing conservation efforts. Teal has always loved animals though birds hold a special place in her heart. When not at work you can find her making pasta, birding, camping, or enjoying the company of her cats. |
Lindsey Campbell
Senior Wildlife Technician More about Lindsey
Lindsey attended the University of California, Davis, graduating with a Bachelor's in Animal Biology. Providing dynamic veterinary care has been at the forefront of Lindsey's experiences as she continually works to expose herself to an all-encompassing view of veterinary care. Some highlights include working as a large animal veterinary technician in a biomedical research setting, assisting a veterinary pathologist in necropsies, participating in small animal and equine emergency services, and being a published author from the research she conducted with titi monkeys at the California National Primate Research Center. Through it all, wildlife holds a special place in her heart as she works to repair human-wildlife conflicts and promote wildlife conservation. When not at work, you can find her assisting the veterinary department at the Aquarium of the Pacific, and crafting on her Cricut. Ultimately, she is striving to further her commitment to the field as she pursues her goal of applying to veterinary school. |
Megan Bauer
Senior Wildlife Technician More about Megan
Megan attended Chapman University where she received her Bachelor's in Biology. She worked at a small animal hospital before transitioning to wildlife rehab here at WWCC. She is dedicated to caring for animals and learning all she can to help with wildlife conservation. Her favorite animal is the one closest to her, although she has a special place in her heart reserved for birds of prey. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, cooking, walking her dog, and coming up with bad jokes. |
Charlene Keeler
Wildlife Technician More about Charlene
Coming soon. 
Mary Blake
Wildlife Technician More about Mary
After graduating with a BS in Marine Biology from California State University, Fullerton, Mary has spent her time working with wildlife. Always a lover of animals, she initially thought her future was with domestics, like cats and dogs, but has learned quickly how much she loves birds. She cannot pick a favorite animal at the center because she just enjoys them all so much. 
Amanda Byers
Wildlife Technician More about Amanda
Coming soon. |
Grayce Perry
Wildlife Technician More about Grayce
Coming soon. 
Heather Snow
Wildlife Technician More about Heather
Heather Snow is a multidisciplinary professional with a background in physics, public health, and mental health. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and is pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) at the University of Alaska Anchorage, focusing on human-wildlife interactions. She is also a pediatric mental health professional, helping children and families navigate mental health challenges. A published poet, writer, and artist, Heather’s photographs have appeared in The Washington Post, Fodor’s, and National Geographic publications. With a passion for both public health and wildlife conservation, she aims to continue her work in Alaska, making a positive impact on communities and the environment. |
Michelle Dean
Wildlife Technician More about Michelle
Michelle grew up in Boulder, CO and formed a love for wildlife very early in life. If you had asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up, the answer would have been Veterinarian. From frequent nature walks to volunteering at the local aquarium, Michelle has always loved animals more than people. Majoring in Zoology at Oregon State University, she has continued to see this passion through. If you were to ask Michelle what her favorite animal is, she would not be able to give an answer, as she loves all the unique traits they have, though Cheetahs hold a corner of her heart. 
Newt Likier
Wildlife Technician More about Newt
Newt loves raccoons the most, but gladly works with all the wildlife at WWCC. They spent years volunteering with wildlife rehabilitation before making the leap to wildlife technician, and they couldn't be happier. They have a BA in German Studies, an MA in Communication Studies, and a JD, all of which prepared them to step into the daily challenges of wildlife care and medicine. |
Operations
Kris Anderson
Administrative Assistant More about Kris
Kris, a Pennsylvania native, received a BS from Slippery Rock State University and a MLS from the University of Pittsburgh. She started her career as a school and public librarian before moving to California. Kris transitioned to a sales career, working with libraries for more than 20 years to provide automation and data services. Kris started at WWCC as an Administrative Volunteer in 2021 after retirement, and since then, has enjoyed taking on more responsibilities. Kris was initially drawn to WWCC after she rescued a Mallard and ducklings from a pool. |
Jaret Davey
Volunteer Coordinator More about Jaret
Jaret attended the University of California at Santa Barbara, where he graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Zoology and, more importantly, fell in love with birds. He began at WWCC in 2020 as a wildlife technician, but quickly realized that working with WWCC's volunteers was his favorite part of the gig. So, in 2022, Jaret became The Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center's Volunteer Coordinator. Jaret finds that his job at WWCC allows him to combine his skills in connecting with other people and his passion for avian conservation. When he's not at WWCC, you can usually find Jaret birding (his life list is close to 800, but he's always on the lookout for more!), at the movies, or volunteering in Animal Care at The Pacific Marine Mammal Center. |
Tom Gaccione
Facilities Director More about Tom
Tom retired from a career in spacecraft and communications design in 2018, joining WWCC in 2019. For the last four years, he was able to utilize his engineering and management skills on numerous projects in the facility to improve the treatment and rehabilitation of the animals in WWCC’s care. He sees the organization growing significantly in the next several years due to growing human impacts on wildlife in California. He enjoys volunteering for several organizations in the community of Huntington Beach, and finds working with the animals and staff at WWCC to be very rewarding. Each day he learns new lessons and sees an organization, staff, and volunteers with a very bright future ahead of it. |