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 students’ 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 two full-time veterinarians, one full-time veterinary technician, and one part time veterinary technician.
Positions are available June 2025 - January 2026. We do not accept veterinary extern students during the months of February - May. Applicants must indicate which time period(s) they are available.
The Application period is from August 1st - October 15th of the academic year prior to externship. Example: October 15, 2024, is the deadline for positions in the 2025–2026 school year. Applicants will be notified of acceptance by January 15, 2025.
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, 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 professor/veterinarian does not wish for it to be visible to student applying).
Please visit our veterinary externship/preceptorship webpage to apply!
https://www.aquariumofpacific.org/volunteer/veterinary_externship_preceptorship_program