From AVC to Disney: Dr. Dan Fredholm’s Magical Journey to Zoo Medicine
When Dr. Dan Fredholm first entered the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) in 2009, he envisioned a future as a small animal veterinarian. Like any great Disney story, destiny had other plans. Today, he is a respected specialist, board-certified by the American College of Zoological Medicine, and clinical veterinarian with Disney’s Animals, Science, and Environment.
Growing up in New York, USA, Dr. Fredholm initially set his sights on becoming a medical doctor in human health, but a chance summer job as an assistant at a local veterinary clinic made him reconsider. He enrolled at the AVC in 2005 to begin the journey toward small animal veterinary medicine.
“Looking back, I never would have guessed I’d end up here,” he shared. “But every experience, every opportunity led me to exactly where I needed to be.”
Dr. Fredholm fondly remembers his time on Prince Edward Island, and credits AVC for shaping his career. One of his most formative experiences was participating in the Chinook Project, which provides veterinary care to remote northern communities.
“That experience opened my eyes to the impact we can have beyond the clinic,” he recalled.
After he graduated from AVC in 2009, life threw a curveball.
“I applied to over 20 internships. I ranked Colorado [State University]’s zoo medicine internship first, and their small animal rotating internship second. When I matched with CSU, I initially assumed it was for the small animal position, and was very happy. It took a little while to notice that I’d actually matched with the zoo, exotics, and wildlife internship. Once I realized that, I was overjoyed!”
It was an unexpected plot twist that set the course for a wild career.
Now, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Dr. Fredholm makes magic with an incredible array of animals—from elephants and giraffes to birds and reptiles. And his work extends beyond the parks. Disney collaborates internationally with numerous conservation initiatives that protect wildlife, both on land and in the sea. Recently, during unusually cold temperatures in Florida, cold-stunned green sea turtles washed ashore, needing aid. The Disney Animal Health team stepped in to help the gentle giants recover.
“Every day can be different in this field— from doing a CT scan on a gorilla, to working on the hoof health of a wildebeest. It’s such an interesting and rewarding field,” he said.
His story serves as an inspiration to future veterinarians, reminding them that sometimes the most magical adventures begin when you step off the path you thought you were meant to follow.
