College of Veterinary Medicine

Veterinary Externship/Preceptorship Program
Program description:

The Aquarium of the Pacific is offering 4 externship/preceptorship programs in the veterinary services department for 3rd and 4th year veterinary students. 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 facilities preventative animal healthcare program and any current medical cases. Students will be expected to develop and present a case report or review of an applicable topic in aquatic medicine to the aquarium staff. 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 12,500 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 and veterinary technician.

Positions are available January –February, March- April, August-September, November-December. Applicants must indicate which time period(s) they are available, highest ranked applicants for each time period will be selected.

The Application deadline is October 31 of the academic year prior to externship (Example October 31, 2009 is the deadline for positions May 2010 –April 2011). Applicants will be notified of acceptance by November 31.

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 (official 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
• AOP veterinary extern application

Please go to our intern page on our website to download the application:
http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/volunteer/information/C160/

Submit completed application and all supporting documentation to:

Aquarium of the Pacific
c/o/ Shannon Penna, Internship Coordinator
100 Aquarium Way
Long Beach, CA 90802