This program is open to veterinary students completing their 3rd or 4th year of training in an accredited veterinary school. Each position is a minimum of 3 weeks and a maximum of 6 weeks depending on the student's availability. Accepted students will train under the supervision of the veterinary and husbandry staff during administration of the facility’s preventative animal healthcare program and any current medical cases. No stipend is provided. Housing and transportation are not provided and are the responsibility of the student.
The Aquarium of the Pacific’s animal collection of approximately 14,000 animals consists of pinnipeds, sea otters, marine birds, psittacine birds, raptors, reptiles, amphibians, marine fish, and invertebrates. The majority of cases presented are fish and birds. The veterinary staff consists of one full-time veterinarian, one part-time veterinarian, one full-time veterinary technician, and one part-time veterinary technician.
Positions are available August-March. We do not accept veterinary extern students during the months of April-July. Applicants must indicate which time period(s) they are available.
The Application period is from August 1st-October 1st of the academic year prior to the externship. Example: October 1, 2022, is the position deadline in May 2023–April 2024. Applicants will be notified of acceptance by January 1.
Applicants are required to submit the following:
Proof of enrollment in a college or school of veterinary medicine with 2 years completed with a GPA of 3.0 or higher (unofficial transcript required)
Curriculum Vitae
Letter of intent that details pertinent past experience and training in aquatic animal medicine, the reason for pursuing aquatic animal training, future goals, and prioritized available time periods
Letter of recommendation from a professor or veterinarian supporting the students’ academic professionalism and demonstrated interest in aquatic animal medicine (Letter of Recommendation can be sent directly to volunteeroffice@lbaop.org if the professor/veterinarian does not wish for it to be visible to the student applying).
Please visit our veterinary externship/preceptorship webpage to apply!
https://www.aquariumofpacific.org/volunteer/veterinary_externship_preceptorship_program