12 Veterinary Internships for High School Students
Veterinary medicine or science is a field that requires regular hands-on interaction with animals. So, getting a fair amount of early practical experience can be quite valuable if you’re planning to pursue a career in the field. If you’re a high schooler passionate about providing care and support to animals and plan to study veterinary science, you could consider an internship before college begins.
A veterinary internship will not only give you solid insight into the field but can also enhance your university and job applications. Admissions and hiring committees look for candidates with practical exposure because this tells them you’re aware of what the field truly demands, and that you have the skill and confidence to carry it out.
Finding a vet internship might not be easy in high school, which is why we’ve compiled this list of 12 excellent veterinary internships for high school students. These include opportunities at vet clinics, adoption and welfare centers, zoos, and more.
1. NextVet Internship at Banfield Pet Hospital
Location: Multiple cities in the U.S.
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old and can carry/move at least 50 pounds can apply. Each internship has specific guidelines you should check before applying.
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: 6–10 weeks in the summer (usually 15 hours per week)
Stipend: Minimum $15 per hour (exact rate varies by location)
Banfield Pet Hospital has over 1,000 branches across the country. Every summer, it conducts its NextVet internship program, which gives students a chance to understand the behind-the-scenes functioning of a vet clinic. Interns will shadow professionals, including veterinarians as well as veterinary technicians, throughout the program.
Interns will get to participate in observational activities such as animal handling techniques, transcribing medical notes, setting up surgeries, preparing laboratory tests, and helping with routine physical examinations. Moreover, students will get access to virtual group sessions with other interns where they will learn about the industry and career options from local doctors and market leaders.
2. High School Internships at PAWS Chicago
Location: Chicago, IL
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old can apply.
Application Deadline: December 30 (spring) | March 15 (summer) | September 15 (winter)
Dates: January–April (spring) | May–September (summer) | August/September–December (winter)
Stipend: This is an unpaid internship.
PAWS Chicago runs an internship program through which high school students can work at its adoption or medical centers. Once selected for the program, interns and program administrators can establish weekly requirements and schedules.
During the program, students will learn and assist with tasks like cleaning, feeding, walking dogs, shelter maintenance, facilitating adoption, assisting with recovery, and assisting veterinary staff with preparation and paperwork.
Interns will be able to directly engage in such tasks whenever possible while observing and assisting with other more intricate jobs. Interns may also be required to help with adjacent tasks, such as welcoming guests and visitors, assisting with outreach, marketing, fundraising, graphic design, and more.
3. Penn Vet Working Dog Center Internships
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Eligibility: High school students or recent graduates who are at least 18 years old can apply. Note that eligibility criteria can vary based on the position.
Application Deadline: Rolling (intersession) | March 29, 2024 (summer)
Dates: Minimum 12 weeks (part-time) during the school year (intersession) | May 29, 2024–August 16, 2024 (full-time during the summer)
Stipend: This is an unpaid internship.
The University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Vet Working Dog Center focuses on enhancing research and application of veterinary expertise to support and enhance the performance of scent detection or working dogs. The center regularly offers internships to students, including high school seniors/recent graduates and even students taking a gap year.
The center’s student internships allow students to gain experience in dog training, bio-med, behavioral science, canine fitness, canine olfaction, and psychology. Interns will work with dogs daily, learn about scientific research, receive guidance from trainers and veterinary staff, and help maintain the condition and training environment of the dogs.
4. Internships at the Smithsonian National Zoo
Location: Opportunities are available in Washington, D.C., Front Royal, VA, Herndon, VA and in-person, hybrid, and virtual formats.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible. The eligibility criteria can vary slightly depending on the position.
Application Deadline: Varies based on position
Dates: Varies based on position
Stipend: Paid (amount varies)
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute offers a variety of internships for high school students. Some of them specifically focus on veterinary medicine and research while others focus on general animal care and maintenance of their environment.
The zoo keeps updating its internship opportunities throughout the year, so make sure to keep checking for new offerings. The zoo’s current relevant internship offerings include the Carnivore Animal Keeper Internship (SCBI) wherein interns will work in the field of animal care and conservation biology by learning about and carrying out activities like animal husbandry, behavioral observations and enrichment, and nutrition.
The zoo also provides volunteering opportunities for students aged 18+ and occasional teen volunteer opportunities.
5. Junior Internship Position at North Carolina Zoo’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
Location: North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro, NC
Eligibility: High school students who are 16–18 years old and can lift at least 50 pounds and work in all climatic conditions can apply. Check the exact requirements here before applying.
Application Deadline: April 5, 2024
Dates: Mid-June–July (6 weeks)
Stipend: This is an unpaid internship.
The North Carolina Zoo’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center offers high school students the rare opportunity to work with wild animals. The internship comprises two 6-hour shifts every week along with 2-hour weekly training sessions. This is a highly selective program, with only 4 positions available this summer.
As part of the internship, students will assist with the routine care of wildlife patients and resident animals while also undertaking husbandry, feeding, keeping records, answering the phone, and admitting patients. Occasionally, interns may also get the chance to help with medical tasks like assisting with surgeries, helping with radiographs, and supporting the administration of treatments. Participating in research, tours, training, and animal rescues may also be required.
6. Internship Program at Miami-Dade County’s Animal Services Department
Location: Pet Adoption and Protection Center, Doral, FL
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors can apply.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Dates: Year-round internship dates are available.
Stipend: This is an unpaid internship.
Miami-Dade County’s Animal Services Department offers internship opportunities to high school students interested in animal care and veterinary science. Through the internship, students will be able to see professionals in action and witness the application of various care and veterinary techniques. Primarily, interns will be able to observe and assist with daily shelter tasks.
Additionally, students will receive professional mentoring from the staff of the department and adoption center to develop must-have career skills. Project-based assignments may also be a part of the internship. Students can choose from multiple areas and subfields, so make sure to state them clearly while applying.
7. Veterinary Summer Experience by the University of Tennessee’s College of Veterinary Medicine
Location: Local vet practices + University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors in Tennessee who are at least 16 years old and have a minimum 3.0 GPA are eligible.
Application Deadline: Applications usually close in February.
Dates: June 17, 2024–July 19, 2024 (5 weeks)
Stipend: Paid (amount not specified)
The Veterinary Summer Experience by the University of Tennessee is an opportunity for students to shadow veterinarian staff at local clinics for 4 weeks (40 hours/week), allowing them to understand the ins and outs of the facilities. Students may also be required to assist veterinarians with various tasks, although the exact nature of the internship will ultimately depend on each clinic.
In the final week of the program, all interns will come to the University of Tennessee campus for a residential experience where they will attend lectures, work in laboratories, and participate in clinical rotations. Only 12 students are selected for this internship in each cohort.
8. Wildlife and Exotic Animal Veterinary Internship Program at New England Wildlife Center
Location: New England Wildlife Center, Weymouth, MA
Eligibility: Students who are at least 17 years old can apply. You can check the requirements here before applying.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Dates: Spring, summer, fall, or winter (6–8 weeks)
Stipend: This is an unpaid internship. Limited housing is available at a weekly charge.
For students interested in learning about the veterinary and general care of wild and exotic animals, the New England Wildlife Center’s internship program is a great opportunity. It can help solidify their interest in wildlife and kickstart careers in this or other science-related fields. The center’s wildlife hospital and Odd Pet Vet (an exotic animal veterinary practice) can treat 225 different species, offering students a unique first-hand look at the day-to-day work carried out at these facilities.
The internship is an apprentice-style program that will provide selected students with practical training in veterinary medical technology, medicine, STEM, and natural history. Interns will be able to interact with the animals and carry out tasks like making food plates, monitoring and feeding animals, cleaning equipment, attending and providing educational programs, and maintaining living conditions.
9. Bronx Zoo Animal Care Internships
Location: Bronx Zoo, Bronx, NY
Eligibility: High school seniors who are at least 18 years old can apply. Make sure to check which internships are open to high school students.
Application Deadline: Varies based on position
Dates: Spring, summer, fall, or winter
Stipend: Paid (amount varies by position)
The Bronx Zoo has multiple animal care internships available for high school seniors, with several opportunities offered throughout the year. These internships provide students with a chance to care for the animals at the zoo in a hands-on manner. Some activities and tasks interns may carry out include dietary preparation, cleaning, feeding, exhibit and life support maintenance, record keeping, observation, and more. Note that internship requirements might be more specific depending on the position. Throughout the internship, students will also receive regular training to help them become more adept at each task and understand the career prospects of the field.
Location: Remote
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 5–15 hours per week for 2–4 months
Application Deadline: Summer cohort (priority admission): March 17, 2024 | Summer cohort (regular admission 1): April 14, 2024 | Summer cohort (regular admission 2): May 12, 2024
Dates: June–August (summer). Fall and winter internships are also offered.
Cost: Starts at $1,990 (financial aid available)
For a highly structured internship program, consider applying to Ladder Internships—an organization founded by Harvard alumni and entrepreneurs. This is a selective program—it accepted only 100 interns from 700 applications in the summer of 2023. The program will match accomplished students with startups across the world and provide them with a coach to assist with professional and skills development.
Ladder also facilitates weekly sessions with the host company. During the program, interns will work on their projects under the guidance of professionals and present them at the end. Students interested in veterinary science should consider opting for tracks like healthcare and medicine, environmental science, or even non-profits.
11. WildCare’s Wildlife Hospital Internships
Location: WildCare, San Rafael, CA
Eligibility: High school students can apply.
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Dates: April–September. Applicants can choose a 3- or 6-month internship.
Stipend: $200 per week
WildCare’s Wildlife Hospital Internships offer interns an opportunity to gain practical experience in working with wild animals and learning from medical staff. Through the course of the internship, students will learn various skills, such as disinfection protocols, diet preparation, wildlife restraint and handling, splinting and wing wrap techniques, preparing and running diagnostics, calculating medicine dosage, administering medication, monitoring anesthesia, and basic hospital skills.
Students will also be required to participate in training, quizzes, exams, research, and more. These are full-time (40 hours/week) internships, but part-time (24 hours/week) unpaid volunteering opportunities may also be available.
12. High School Internship at UC Davis Veterinary Medicine Teaching & Research Center
Location: Veterinary Medicine Teaching & Research Center (VMTRC), Tulare, CA
Eligibility: Tulare high school seniors can apply.
Application Deadline: Students should directly email/contact the VMTRC for more information.
Dates: Not mentioned
Stipend: No details are available at the moment.
UC Davis’ Veterinary Medicine Teaching & Research Center (VMTRC) offers a high school internship through its Milk Quality Laboratory. The laboratory performs microbiological testing to provide laboratory services to dairy veterinarians, producers, and other associated professionals, offering expertise in bacterial identification and milk culturing.
The internship program allows high school seniors to work with diagnostic laboratory technicians and learn and develop techniques in veterinary medicine, microbiology, and animal food research. Interns will also be able to observe clinical veterinary practices practiced with local herds on farms. This program is highly selective, accepting only 2–4 interns every year.
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs!
This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper in a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from.
You can find the application link here!
Looking for an immersive internship experience?
Check out Ladder Internships!
Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual internship program where students work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries, with a large number of them in tech. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship. In addition to working closely with their manager from the startup, each intern will also work with a Ladder Coach throughout their internship. Apply now!
Stephen is one of the founders of Ladder Internships and a Harvard College graduate.