Event Date
Apart from work for the internship, you will also engage in an online course facilitated by a UC Davis faculty. The online coursework provides an opportunity for meaningful reflection during the program. You will spend approximately 35-40 hours per week at your internship and another two hours per week for the online course.
Program provided in partnership with Loop Abroad. Please note that Loop Abroad also offers independent programs that do not guarantee academic credit or Transcript Notation and are not eligible for financial aid.
Australia - Animal and Zoological Management Internships
Interns will gain first-hand experience in wildlife handling and care at Wildlife Habitat, a wildlife conservation center in Port Douglas, Australia and participate in a zoo internship led by zookeepers. The wildlife component of the internship includes two weeks of hands-on training led by a Loop Abroad veterinarian to enhance the depth of your experience. You will also have a chance to work with Australian zookeeping staff while getting hands-on, up-close experience with wildlife such as kangaroos, koalas, echidnas, birds and reptiles during two weeks at the zoo. Topics such as conservation, animal nutrition, welfare in captivity, ethograms and enrichments, anatomy and physiology of Australian species, proper handling, physical exams, and zoo management will also be covered. As a note, this program is not targeted at pre-veterinary students and does not guarantee pre-veterinary experience.
Costa Rica - Wildlife, Conservation, and Veterinary Medicine Internships
Gain hands-on experience in Costa Rica at Rescue Center Costa Rica, a wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and release center outside of San Jose. On site, you will be led by veterinarians as well as the RCCR staff in learning to care for rescued Costa Rican wildlife including sloths, primates, reptiles, birds, and other small mammals. Interns will receive veterinary lectures on relevant content, will have opportunities to shadow and observe cases in the veterinary clinic, and will learn about and take part in a rescue, rehab, and release wildlife center’s operations and upkeep. This internship also includes fun off-site excursions to Manuel Antonio National Park, a volcano, waterfall, coffee plantation, and horse rescue, as well as transportation to San Jose for a few days of free time in the city.
South Africa - Animal and Zoological Management Internships
Interns will gain first-hand experience in wildlife handling and care by spending 2 weeks at Lory Park Animal and Owl Sanctuary and 2 weeks at Cango Wildlife Ranch. During your internship, you will get to study a variety of animals, including big cats such as white and tawny lions, Siberian tigers, pumas, and leopards. You will also have the chance for hands-on participation in training, feeding, and assisting the zoo veterinary team in providing care to a variety of species. You will learn about all aspects of care and management of captive wildlife by helping maintain enclosures and supporting zoo staff with clinical and sanctuary chores. As you work with big cats, you might find yourself preparing their meals. This will mean cutting up meat, including antelope and other animals who have been hit by cars. You will not have to slaughter any live animals for food but will have to be able to butcher dead animals for the big cats to eat. As a note, this program is not targeted at pre-veterinary students and does not guarantee pre-veterinary experience.
Thailand - Wildlife, Conservation, and Veterinary Medicine Internships
Gain first-hand animal experience in a variety of settings while working with Thai and international veterinarians in a cross-cultural context. As an intern, you will have the opportunity to work with a vet for two weeks at a small animal (dog and cat) clinic, 1 week at an elephant sanctuary, and one week at a zoo. This program includes both veterinary experience and animal experience hours. Take advantage of this amazing opportunity to explore Thai culture while learning hands-on veterinary, conservation, and animal science skills.
Come learn about the Animal and Veterinary Science Internships programs and meet the instructor!