Erica Ward, DVM

Academic Director

Growing up in rural Michigan, Dr. Erica was rarely far from animals. She started riding horses at age four and went on to teach riding lessons and direct a summer camp for kids throughout high school, college, and veterinary school. Her interest in conservation, volunteering, and the veterinary field began with a high school ambassador trip to Australia and quickly shaped her goal of pursuing a career in veterinary medicine.

As an undergraduate and vet student, she participated in conservation, veterinary, and eco-tourism programs across Australia, New Zealand, Egypt, Greece, Thailand, South Africa, and Costa Rica. While earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University, she developed a strong interest in elephant medicine and spent several summers and clinical rotations working with elephants in Southeast Asia. After graduating, she moved to Thailand to work as a full-time veterinarian at a well-known elephant sanctuary.

Dr. Erica joined Loop Abroad full time in 2016 and now serves as the organization’s Academic Director and Head Veterinarian. She is also an adjunct professor at the University of Findlay. She teaches several Loop courses, including Elephant Management and Medicine, and oversees curriculum development and program design across many global locations.

She became a mom in 2023 and welcomed her second child in September 2025. Her Thai village dog, Mango, made the journey with her to the United States, where she is now based for much of the year. Outside of work, she enjoys SCUBA and free diving, hiking, and introducing her children to wildlife and outdoor adventures. She is deeply passionate about improving animal welfare within tourism experiences and helping raise awareness of the ways individuals and communities can play a role in combating wildlife exploitation and trafficking.