Veterinary externs will work closely with the Vancouver Aquarium’s veterinary staff, which includes a board-certified veterinarian and two veterinary technicians, in the medical management of a large captive display collection that includes marine mammals, terrestrial mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and a large variety of native and tropical fish. The veterinary extern will also assist the veterinary medical staff in providing medical management for approximately 120 live-stranded marine mammals (mostly harbour seals) which are cared for by the Vancouver Aquarium. Assist veterinarians and veterinary staff with monitoring cases, participating in daily rounds, developing treatment options, and diagnostic and surgical procedures as required. Maintain complete patient records. Students should be aware that the number of clinical cases requiring hands-on care is low at a public display facility and the majority of time is spent developing health management programs for the collection animals. Students should be prepared to take advantage of unsupervised “down time” to read relevant literature and to pursue learning objectives. Students will be responsible for doing a literature review on a veterinary topic of their choice relevant to the Vancouver Aquarium externship experience. They will present their findings to the husbandry staff during their last week in the form of a noon hour PowerPoint presentation.

Marine mammals, terrestrial mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish

Open to 3rd and 4th year veterinary students.

Externships for 2-4 weeks can be scheduled between April 1- September 15, and applications are due  March 30th ONE YEAR PRIOR to the anticipated dates (i.e. March 30, 2015 for 2016 externships).

Please send the following to Martin.Haulena@vanaqua.org:

• resume;
• letter of interest (should include what experience you have, what you hope to gain from the placement, how you heard about the placement, and your career goals); and,
• two reference letters to Martin.Haulena@vanaqua.org.

Applicants are encouraged to identify learning objectives that can be carried out at the aquarium over their stay and include those ideas in the letter of intent.

Students will be notified of their acceptance into the program by April 30th, one year prior to the planned externship. General inquiries about externships should be sent to volunteer@vanaqua.org.

Website

Contact: Martin Haulena, DVM, MSc, Dipl. ACZM

Email: volunteer@vanaqua.org

Phone: +1 (604) 659-3478

Fax: +1 (604) 659-3515