Students work closely with the veterinary staff (includes three veterinarians, a veterinary resident, four veterinary technicians, staff microbiologist and water-quality personnel). Responsibilities are assigned based on each student’s level of interest and aptitude. Students must complete an independant project, which will be determined in the first week of the preceptorship. A full-service aquatic sciences library is available to students on site.

Shedd offers exposure to the veterinary management of a large and diverse collection of fishes, marine mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, nonmarine mammals and invertebrates. 

Be a veterinary student in their clinical year/s at time of the preceptorship; Make a four- to six-week time commitment (five days weekly, eight hours a day); A negative tuberculin skin test within 60 days prior to arrival and current tetanus vaccination (must provide vaccination history & TB test results on the first day); and, Their own health insurance.

AVAILABILITY: Fall, Winter, and SpringAPPLICATION DEADLINE: Externship blocks from June 2023 through May 2024 are now filled. Applications for externships scheduled from June 2024 through May 2025 are due by November 1, 2023. Please check back later for application instructions. 

Externs will need to arrange for their own accommodations, but may be able to board wih Shedd employees.

Student housing & stipends are not available through Shedd.

To be considered, please e-mail all required materials to bthornton@sheddaquarium.org by November 1 (electronic application materials are preferred).

• Letter of intent;
• Resume or curriculum vitae;
• Three letters of reference (letters of recommendation must be sent directly from the recommender and not forwarded by the student);
• Options for at least three 4 to 6 week blocks when the student might be available during September-May (not available June,- August).

Application materials may also be sent by mail to:
John G. Shedd Aquarium
Veterinary Preceptorship Program
Attn: Bridget Thornton
Volunteer Services
1200 South Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60605 USA

Website

Email: internship@sheddaquarium.org