Veterinary Science
Our Mystic Aquarium veterinary team members are experts in the medical care and welfare of exotic and aquatic animal species. The veterinarians oversee all aspects of animal health for the aquarium animals as well as stranded marine mammals and sea turtles in Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue program. The veterinary team is also actively engaged in the advancement of aquatic animal health through contributions to clinical research and wildlife conservation efforts.
Wiederhold Foundation Veterinary and Animal Health Center
This 1,000 square foot facility, which opened in 2015, provides our veterinary staff with state-of-the-art veterinary medical resources, allowing our team to provide that world-class care for which Mystic Aquarium is known. The Center features a surgery suite fully equipped with diagnostic, anesthesia, and surgery equipment, as well as a general exam room, an imaging room for x-rays, ultrasounds, and endoscopy, and a clinical laboratory in which our animal health samples are analyzed. The Aquatic Animal Study Center, a 200,000 gallon system that can be used for aquatic animal holding, quarantine, or rehabilitation, is adjacent to this facility.
Take a peek at the space in action by watching some episodes from our Aquarium Rehab series:
Milne Ocean Science and Conservation Center
This facility, which opened in 2019, includes a 6,000 square foot temperature-controlled space housing 12 systems, 37 tanks of various sizes, and 45,000 gallons of water that is utilized for fish & invertebrate quarantine and sea turtle rehabilitation. The facility also features an aquaculture laboratory focused on the rearing of horseshoe crabs to help support declining wild populations.
Veterinary Team
Allison D. Tuttle, DVM, DACZM
Eric T. Anderson, DVM, DACZM
Chelsea E. Anderson, DVM, CertAqV
Molly Martony, DVM, DACZM
Dr. Laura Whalen, Veterinary Intern
Allison D. Tuttle, DVM, DACZM
Senior Vice President of Zoological Operations
Allison D. Tuttle is the chief zoological officer at Mystic Aquarium where she serves on the Aquarium’s leadership team and oversees the Aquarium’s veterinary, animal husbandry, dive, environmental quality, and animal rescue operations. She contributes to numerous research and grant initiatives and has authored nearly 30 peer-reviewed publications in scientific journals. Tuttle serves as a mentor for students and veterinary interns. Within the community, Tuttle has been recognized as a Woman of Innovation and with a 40 Under 40 award.
Tuttle earned her B.S. in Biology and Psychology from Washington College and her DVM from North Carolina State University. She completed Mystic Aquarium’s internship in Aquatic Animal Medicine and Research and completed a residency in Zoological Medicine with a focus on Aquatic Health Management at North Carolina State University. She serves as a member or chair of multiple professional organizations and has earned many awards for her service. Of note, Tuttle served as a Fulbright program specialist in 2018, traveling to the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium in Taiwan to train staff and build capacity in animal care and veterinary medicine for the organization’s aquatic animal collection, with a focus on the Aquarium’s belugas.
Eric T. Anderson, DVM, DACZM
Senior Director of Animal Care and Welfare
Eric Anderson is the senior director of Animal Care and Welfare at Mystic Aquarium. In this role, he oversees all aspects of animal health and welfare for the animals at the Aquarium and the Animal Rescue Program. Anderson started his career in marine sciences, as a volunteer and later as a hospital technician, at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida, where he cared for dolphins, whales and sea turtles at the Dolphin and Whale and Sea Turtle Rehabilitation hospitals. He received his DVM in 2005 from the University of Florida, and after a one-year small animal internship, he completed a one-year aquatic medicine internship at Mote. Following the internship, Anderson joined Mote as an associate veterinarian and continued to provide veterinary care to aquatic animals at the rehabilitation hospitals. He completed a three-year residency in Zoological Medicine at North Carolina State University, during which he rotated through several outside public, private, and research institutions across the United States and Canada, providing veterinary support to their operations. Anderson is board certified in zoological medicine with the American College of Zoological Medicine and is an active member of multiple national and international veterinary organizations.
Chelsea E. Anderson, DVM, CertAqV
Chief Clinical Veterinarian
Chelsea Anderson joined Mystic Aquarium in January 2022 and now leads the medical care of our in-house and rescue animals, along with managing the veterinary hospital. Anderson, a native of Michigan, completed her B.S. degree at the University of Michigan in 2007 and earned her DVM at Michigan State University in 2011. After graduation, she pursued specialized training in zoo and aquatic animal medicines and over the years has trained alongside industry leaders at the Vancouver Aquarium, The Marine Mammal Center, SeaWorld Orlando, The National Marine Mammal Foundation, Shedd Aquarium, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and Lion Country Safari Zoo. Before coming to Mystic Aquarium, Anderson was an associate veterinarian at the Georgia Aquarium, where she managed the medical care and veterinary externship program. Anderson is a certified aquatic veterinarian by the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association. She is a member of international zoo and aquatic organizations and serves on the student committee of IAAAM. Her clinical passions include ultrasonagraphy of elasmobranchs and cetaceans as well as pinniped anesthesia.
Molly Martony, DVM, DACZM
Senior Veterinarian
Molly Martony is a senior veterinarian at Mystic Aquarium, where she is responsible for the health and welfare of the animals at the Aquarium and wildlife in the rescue program. She is a board-certified specialist of aquatic and zoological medicine through the American College of Zoological Medicine. Previously Martony completed the Aquatic Animal Medicine Residency at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and SeaWorld Orlando. Prior to the residency, she completed a small animal medicine internship, followed by an aquatic animal medicine internship through the National Marine Mammal Foundation and SeaWorld San Diego.
