Professor O’Neil is the founder and director of Possumwood Acres Wildlife Sanctuary in Hubert, NC. She has been a wildlife rehabilitator and wildlife rehabilitation instructor for over 20 years. Her specialty is the rehabilitation of songbirds and shore birds; she has been instrumental in stopping the injuring of Brown Pelicans along the NC coastline caused by commercial fishing trawlers. In addition to wildlife rehabilitation, her sanctuary provides education programs for local residents and school children, using their non-releasable raptors.

Professor O’Neil is an adjunct faculty member for Coastal Carolina Community College in Jacksonville, NC. She teaches wildlife rehabilitation, biology, and zoology. She is also a sought after speaker, presenting regularly at wildlife symposiums and conferences.