Gamecock

Pre-Veterinary
Association
Potential Summer Internship and Future
Employment Help
By Elizabeth Pettit
Types of Experiences:
Unpaid Options:

Zoo - typically animal experience (husbandry-related tasks)

Wildlife rehabilitation - typically animal experience but can also be veterinary
experience
Shelter Volunteer - animal experience and also easy to acquire during school
year
Shadowing at a hospital or surgery center

Paid Options:

Kennel Technician/Assistant Technician at small animal hospital

Some less common, relatively competitive internships give weekly or monthly
stipends
Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens
Currently Available for Summer 2017: Bird Department Summer Avian
Internship and Mammal Summer Internship
Unpaid and no housing provided
Not considered veterinary experience hours for vet school application
Apply by: February 22 (Birds) and February 19 (Mammals)
Mainly husbandry tasks and learning about captive wild animal maintenance
Also has volunteer opportunities throughout year with minimum 6 month
commitment
https://www.riverbanks.org/join-our-team/internships.shtml

** Many zoos have similar opportunities - check your local zoo if you plan to be
home over the summer**
The Center for Birds of Prey
Located in Awendaw, SC - just North of Charleston
Center works with raptors and shore birds and has both a medical center and
an education program (2 types of internships)
Unpaid with no housing stipend
No application deadline - positions in medical center may already be filled
Considered animal experience but very unique with a lot of medical-related
work
http://www.thecenterforbirdsofprey.org/internship-program/
Big Cat Rescue
Located in Tampa, Florida
Great animal experience option for younger members - several level internship
program with increased responsibility over time
Application: application, resume with cover letter, 3 professional letters of
recommendation - due at least 3 months prior to start date
Free intern housing (with foster kitten program!!) and up to $50 weekly for
groceries
http://bigcatrescue.org/get-involved/volunteer/intern/
Carolina Tiger Rescue
Located in Pittsboro, NC
Full-time commitment for 8-week session with no housing or pay available
Combination of husbandry and medical experience - no veterinarian on-site
Online application available on their website
https://carolinatigerrescue.org/learn/internship/
Seneca Park Zoo
Located in Seneca Park, New York
AAB Pre-Veterinary Summer Fellowship
EXTREMELY competitive - 1 spot with 75-100 applicants yearly
5 week program - $500 weekly stipend
Must have 2 years pre-veterinary coursework with 100 hours experience and
at least a 3.0 GPA
Currently Available for Summer 2018 (Application already due for 2017)
Lengthy application process
Considered veterinary experience
http://senecaparkzoo.org/get-involved/aab-pre-vet-internships/
Fox Run Equine Center
Located in Apollo, Pennsylvania (~45 minutes outside of Pittsburgh)
Unpaid, equine externship - housing and laundry services provided
Very hands-on experience with horses and occasionally other farm animals
(goats, donkeys, mules, etc.)
Dr. Burks suggests a minimum of 2 weeks
Application: email letter of intent and resume
http://foxrunequine.com/veterinary-student-programs/externs.html
Study Abroad Program
Several options available through USC - ISA, ISL, etc.
ISA program page: http://studiesabroad.com/experience/service-learning/service-fields
ISL program page: http://www.islonline.org/medical-programs/veterinary/
Volunteering abroad without going through study abroad
Safari4u: http://safari4uvet.com/program-details/
Chintsa, South Africa
Loop Abroad: offer both summer trips and a veterinary semester
Summer Trips: http://loopabroad.com/content/college-veterinary-service-1
Semester: http://loopabroad.com/content/vet-semester
Many other organizations and programs - be sure to know details about the trip outside of what
is said on the website as some trips can be very expensive for minimal experience
Any Small Animal Hospital
Possibly best option for anyone with little veterinary experience
Many located across the Columbia area who are likely looking for extra help
over the summer
Elam Animal Hospital: http://www.elamanimalhospital.com/
Shandon-Wood Animal Clinic: http://shandonwood.serveronline.net/
South Carolina Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Care: http://scvsec.com/
Open for Emergencies 24/7 and likely to experience more surgeries, interesting cases,
etc.
Locate a hospital that interests you in your area and give them a call - ask for
any available experiences
Shadowing a vet 1 day a week, working as a kennel technician or assistant technician, etc.
Low-Commitment Volunteer
Opportunities
Carolina Wildlife: http://carolinawildlife.org/volunteer/
PETS Inc.: http://www.petsinc.org/volunteer/
Pawmetto Lifeline: http://pawmettolifeline.org/volunteer/
Will potentially offer internship positions in certain cases
If youll be in Columbia over the summer (or anytime) - foster a homeless pet!!
Can be put on a veterinary application as a volunteer/community service type experience
Moving Forward...
Act Fast
Create an up-to-date resume and have someone with experience edit it
http://www.sc.edu/career/talkwithstaff.html
Drop-in hours from 1-4 PM Monday through Friday
Check for deadlines for various programs and if theyve passed, be prepared
early next year
Call veterinary hospitals in your area and ask to speak with the office manager
or head veterinarian
Dont be afraid to work an unpaid position, if you are able - many of the best
veterinary/animal experiences are unfortunately unpaid