The Zoo’s new staff veterinarian, Dr. Garrett Crooks, examines a white-nosed coati kit.

We are incredibly proud to announce that we have a new staff veterinarian working with us: Dr. Garrett Crooks! With our L3 Harris Animal Care Center being behind-the-scenes, we wanted to introduce you to this new Zoo team member and get his insights on what it is like to care for our Zoo residents so far.   

Briefly explain your career history leading you to this new position here. 

I attended Texas A&M University where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, then entered veterinary school the following fall. While in vet school, I sought out training, experiences, and opportunities in non-domestic medicine (elective courses, extracurricular activities, Conservation Medicine study abroad in South Africa, rotations during my final year at the New England Aquarium, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and Brevard Zoo). After graduation, I completed a one-year small animal rotating internship at Colorado State University where I also saw exotic pets and worked with the Zoological Medicine service. I worked on the Urgent Care service at Colorado State University, then moved to Indianapolis for a one-year Zoological Medicine internship. After completing that internship, I accepted a position as a staff veterinarian at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, where I worked before wanting to move closer to family in Florida. I worked as an associate vet at Save the Chimps in Ft. Pierce and began relief work at Brevard Zoo in December 2025 before becoming full-time in April 2026. 

What drew you to this position at Brevard Zoo?  

My family began vacationing in the area in 1998 and fell in love with the Zoo after our first visit. When I had the opportunity to come during my final year of vet school and see the inner workings of the Zoo, I knew it was where I wanted to be. The Zoo is renowned not only for the care provided to the residents, but also for the extensive conservation work performed both within and through the Zoo, and I am excited to do my own little part to help support these programs.  

What made you want to become a veterinarian? Particularly a Zoo veterinarian?  

I grew up in what used to be a small town in Texas, surrounding by cattle pastures, and during that time took care of cattle, horses, dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, bearded dragons, turtles, fish, frogs, etc. I followed my father’s footsteps into firefighting, starting as a volunteer with our local department at 16 years old, then working my way into full-time firefighting and earning my paramedic credentials. Over time I realized that I was missing the animal care aspect of my life, but enjoyed the medicine I was learning to practice, and decided to attempt marrying these two passions together. Throughout my childhood I was drawn to non-domestic species, partially motivated by an aunt I was very close to and was enamored by the conservation work that was being performed to support species in need. When I decided to pursue veterinary medicine and saw that there was an opportunity for me to help out with all of these amazing creatures, I jumped at the opportunity.  

Do you have a species that you’re particularly excited to be working with here?  

I’m often told it is a cop-out, but part of the reason I focused on Zoological Medicine is because of the diversity of animals that I get to care for, so I love them all! I have a soft spot for megavertebrates, particularly the white rhino, so I’m excited to work with them again. Manatees are also high on the list because they are such a fascinating species and greatly loved here in Florida.  

What are you most excited about going into this new job?  

I am most excited about supporting our mission to share our joy of nature, as well as helping wildlife thrive through the numerous conservation projects performed through the organization.  

Do you have any advice to folks who also want to become a veterinarian? 

My best advice is to decide why you want to be a veterinarian, and why not another animal care career. There are so many people who do great things for animals that aren’t veterinarians, and many of them are available through a shorter (and cheaper!) path. I love my job, and there is tremendous fulfillment through it, but there are also significant challenges on a regular basis. For someone who has decided the why is strong enough, working hard in school is incredibly important, as veterinary school is very competitive and there is a whole lot of information to learn. I’d also recommend really working hard at a job, whether or not it is animal related, as on the whole the people who were most successful in vet school were those that had a background outside of just school/academia. 

What do you like to do outside of work? Any hobbies?  

My wife and I have twin 8-year-old boys, who take up most of our time outside of work, and playing with them is definitely my favorite past-time. We enjoy getting out into nature, visiting state and national parks, anywhere we can get into water, and the Disney parks are always a big hit.  

Anything else you’d like to add to help people get to know you?  

I’m a huge football fan (primarily college), so anytime my Aggies or Cowboys are playing is a good time. I love a good musical, and while my tastes are varied, lean more toward listening to island music and country when I have a choice. I love to talk, and trivia, so just be sure you’re ready for a conversation if you decide to chat!