Aquatic Veterinary Medicine Links
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Veterinary Information and Training Opportunities |
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Veterinary Clerkship Opportunities
Aquatic Pathobiology Center - Dr. Renate Reimschuessel is a veterinarian and aquatic pathologist. Clerkships with her are phenomenal for those interested in pathology of aquatic organisms. Students are responsible for gross necropsy exams, participate in histopathology examinations, and assist in the formulation of necropsy reports. She also is heavily involved in research (fish diagnostic pathology, immunology/toxicology/microbiology, and renal repair/injury response) and encourages students to work on a case report or a research question while with her, hopefully publishing at the end of the clerkship.. A great opportunity for those interested in aquatic pathology research. Clerkships are 4-10 weeks here, preferably 8-10 weeks if research is a priority. Required material for application are a letter of intent or other contact, curriculum vitae, and required forms.
Contact: Dr. Renate Reimschuessel, Aquatic Pathobiology Center, University of Maryland-Baltimore, 10 S. Pine St., Baltimore, MD 21201.
North Carolina State University - This is a 2 week course in aquatic animal medicine offered by Dr.Greg Lewbart and Dr. Michael Stotskopf at the NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine. This is a great course, involving a good look at the esoterica and the mundane in clinical aquatic medicine. This one is competitive and slots go first to NCSU vet students, of course. It's only open to 4th year students. Application deadline is by September 1st of the junior year. Contact them for application information, but mostly just a letter of intent and letter from your school vouching for you are necessary.
Contact: Dr. Greg Lewbart, North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, 4700 Hillsborough St., Raleigh, NC 27606
Shedd Aquarium - Dr. Marty Greenwell and Dr. Jeff Boehm are the two vets here. Most of the veterinary intern work is fish and other lower vertebrate health, but there is some exposure to marine mammals as well. A good case load is seen almost every day, so there's plenty of exposure to different animals and common aquarium diseases. A literature review or literature based paper is required as a part of the clerkship. The externship is 5 days a week for 4-6 weeks. No housing available, although they will try to find something with the aquarium staff. They have an established application procedure that starts Fall of the junior year. 3 letters of recommendation, a letter of intent, and a resume/curriculum vitae are all part of the application process.
Contact: Dr. Jeffrey Boehm, Director of Research and Veterinary Services, John G. Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60605.
New England Aquarium - This is a well respected aquarium with a large veterinary staff (2 vets and 1 post-grad. intern). The emphasis on marine mammals may be slightly higher here, as it is on most coasts, but the majority of the work will still probably be in lower vertebrates. The externship runs 5 days a week for 4-8 weeks (6-8 prefered). A short research project and presentation are required as a part of the externship. No housing is provided. The application procedure is on a first come/first served basis after the start of the third year of veterinary school. Required in the application are a letter of intent, curriculum vitae, transcripts, 2 letters of recommendation, and the proposed dates for the externship.
Contact: Dr. Beth Chittick, Veterinary Services Dept., New England Aquarium, Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110.
National Aquarium at Baltimore - The clerkship here is aquatic, marine mammal, and avian medicine. Student accompanies clinical staff on rounds, and is assigned cases. Research project may be assigned. Competitive. Prefer 6 weeks commitment. None accepted in June-July.
Contact: National Aquarium in Baltimore, Pier 3, 501 E. Pratt St., Baltimore, MD 21202-3194
Mississippi State Aquatic Studies - 2 week clerkship in catfish health and disease, mostly at the Stoneville research station.
Contact: Dr. Skip Jack or Dr. Tim Leard, P.O. Box 9825, Mississippi State University, MS 39762-9825.
Mystic Marinelife Aquarium - This program states the goal of familiarizing 3rd or 4th year veterinary students with the day to day husbandry and medical problems of a very diverse group of aquatic animals and to provide an opportunity for these students to prepare a report on data collected from animals and/or material in our collections which can be used to advance our knowledge of the animals in our care and if appropriate be considered for publication or presentation in an appropriate forum. Research interests include marine mammal reproduction, contraception, physiology, osteology, endocrinology and pharmacokinetics; fish and penguin pharmacokinetics; and general aquatic animal clinical pathology and clinical medicine. Clerkships are 4-8 weeks in length and require a prior submission and discussion of at least two reseach proposals, one of which will be done while at the aquarium. Required application stuff includes 2 research proposals, letters of recommendation, and transcripts (possibly also a letter of intent and resume/curriculum vitae). No application deadline, but as per usual, let's get 'em in quick kiddos...
Contact: Dr. J. Lawrence Dunn, Staff Veterinarian, Mystic Marinelife Aquarium, 55 Coogan Blvd., Mystic, CT 06355-1997
Center for Government and Corporate Practice - This is the clearinghouse for several aquatic clerkships, including the Sea World ones and one at the Navy's Dolphin Program in San Diego. These are all at least 3-4 week clerkships and applications need to go through the Center, usually by November of the year before. Requirements for applications are a cover letter, 2 letters of recommendation, and resume/curriculum vitae. More detail can be found here.
Contact: Dr. Edward H. Stephenson, Center for Government and Corporate Veterinary Medicine, VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, 8075 Greenmead Dr., College Park, MD 20742-3711.
The Marine Mammal Center - Marine mammal rehabilitation and rescue efforts, focusing mainly on pinnipeds and sea otters, although some work may be done with cetaceans. Good place for an exclusively marine mammal clerkship, although a real bugger to get in at. Start applying ASAP...
Contact: Veterinary Sciences, The Marine Mammal Center, Marin Headlands, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Sausalito, California 94965.
Marine Mammal Care Center - This is a 4 week clerkship in marine mammal husbandry and rehabilitation, involving all aspects of animal care (nutritional support, capture, restraint, examination, diagnosis, medication, surgery, necropsy, and release) and focusing primarily on pinnipeds. Application materials includes a resume and 2 letters of recommendation. Most people needed January to August. Application deadline is open, but get it in ASAP if ya want a slot...
Contact: Jackie Ott, Director or Keith Matassa, Operations Manager; Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort Mac Arthur, 3601 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro, CA 90731.
Wildlife Conservation Society/New York
Aquarium - This is a 6-8 week clinical clerkship under Dr. Mark Stetter,
the New York Aquarium vet. Only for 4th year students. Application deadline is
during late 2nd or early 3rd year. Application materials
include a resume, veterinary transcripts, 2 letters of recommendation, and an
application form obtainable from Dr. Stetter.
Contact: Dr. Mark Stetter, Wildlife Conservation Society, New York Aquarium, 185th St. and Southern Blvd., Bronx, NY 10460.
Envirovet-Aquatic - This is a 4 week, intensive shortcourse in aquatic animal health/environmental toxicology/ecosystem health. Areas of emphasis in the Envirovet program include: 1) Toxicologic and ecotoxicologic risk assessment, 2) comparative morphology and physiology of aquatic animals; 3) pathophysiologic effects and lesions of prominent toxicants, microorganisms, and parasites affecting fishes and aquatic invertebrates; 4) aquatic ecology, microbiology, and chemistry; 5) fate of toxicants in aquatic systems, vertebrates, and invertebrates; 6) biomonitoring; 7) aquaculture medicine; 8) ecological economics and rehabilitation; and 9) assistance of each course participant in obtaining opportunities and mentorship in further experience and educational programs to develop careers focused on the health of aquatic animals. The course fee is currently $1000 for veterinarians, vet students and graduate students, including room and board. The course runs from the end of July to the end of August each year in Duluth, MN. Applications are due by April 15th.
Contact: Dr. Val R. Beasley, Director, Envirovet Program in Wildlife and Ecosystem Health, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2001 South Lincoln Ave., Urbana, Illinois 61802.
AquaMed - A 4 week course in aquatic animal pathobiology for veterinarians, 2nd - 4th year vet students, and graduate students at Louisiana State University. This course covers husbandry, water quality, aquaculture, anatomy, pathobiology, and health management of fish, crustaceans, alligators, and marine mammals. Generally in June of each year. Great course for those interested in applied aquatic medicine in aquaculture. Cost is approximately $1000 for students, including all lodging, meals during the week, all course material, and a very comprehensive course manual. If taken for credit, it's worth 4 semester credit hours. Application is very simple, just a form to fill out, and generally needs to be in by April of the same year. Again, this is a very good course to take during a summer before going into clinics.
Contact: Dr. Ron Thune, Dept. of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803.
AquaVet I - A 4 week course designed to introduce veterinary students to aquatic animal medicine. The course is sponsored by Cornell University, the University of Pennsylvania, and three marine science institutions at Woods Hole: the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and Northeast Center of the National Marine Fisheries Service. The marine environment is described and visited on field trips in the Woods Hole area. Specific aspects of the comparative anatomy, physiology, nutrition, microbiology, pathology, and medicine of a variety of marine and freshwater species are discussed. Some emphasis is placed on systems of aquaculture. The specific diseases of a few selected species are presented as examples, including the diseases of a crustacean, a shellfish, a finfish, and marine mammals. The course is taught by an invited faculty of thirty-five individuals who are leaders in their respective fields of aquatic animal medicine. Students present seminars on appropriate topics. Very intensive, research oriented, and competitive admissions. Great course, from my understanding of it. Cost is approximately $1000 for the 4 weeks.
Contact:
AquaVet II - A 2 week intensive course in aquatic pathology with extensive histopathology work involved as well. This is situated at Woods Hole Marine Lab in Massachusetts and occurs in May or June, if I'm correct. More info on this later.
Contact:
Warmwater Fish Diseases - This 2 week short course is designed to provide instruction in the methodology of diagnosis and treatment of parasitic, bacterial, viral, nutritional and environmental diseases of warmwater food fish and aquarium species. It's taught at the University of Florida Veterinary School. The course is normally held in the beginning of June. There is a fee and students should expect to bring their own dissecting kits and microscopes if they have them.
Contact: Dr. Ruth Francis-Floyd, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, 7922 NW 71st St., Gainesville, FL 32653-3071.
Mississippi State Aquatic Studies - The only vet college offering a post-DVM 1-year internship in aquatic medicine. Internships are based at the Stoneville laboratory, which receives approximately 1,500 field diagnostic cases annually. This is a year long program designed to introduce veterinarians to production aquaculture. Learning opportunities include consulting with clients, diagnostic workups, pond/farm visits, and participation in ongoing research. Each intern is expected to initiate and conduct an internally funded research project. Internship stipends run from July through June.
Contact: Dr. Skip Jack or Dr. Tim Leard, P.O. Box 9825, Mississippi State University, MS 39762-9825.
New England Aquarium - The post-DVM internship position in aquatic animal medicine is a 13 month internship, beginning July 1. You must have a DVM/VMD degree, have worked at least one year in a veterinary practice, and be eligible for licensure in Massachusetts. An advanced graduate, research-based, degree and SCUBA certification are desireable. The intern veterinarian will co-manage the medical caseload (>10,000 mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, and invertebrates) under the direction of the Department Head/Stranding Veterinarian and the Collection Veterinarian. Performance and publication of a clinical research project will also be expected. Stipend is $20,000 plus benefits. Applicants should submit a statement of career goals and interests, a curriculum vitae, veterinary transcripts, and 3 letters of professional reference. Applications are due by the end of March.
Contact: HR Dept., New England Aquarium, Central Wharf, Boston, MA, 02110.
Contact:
Mystic Marinelife Aquarium - This is a one year internship focusing on aquatic animal medicine and research. Research interests include marine mammal reproduction, contraception, physiology, osteology, endocrinology and pharmacokinetics; fish and penguin pharmacokinetics; and general aquatic animal clinical pathology and clinical medicine. Stipend is currently $18,000. Required application stuff includes letters of recommendation, and transcripts (probably also a letter of intent and resume/curriculum vitae). Application deadline of March 1st.
Contact: Dr. J. Lawrence Dunn, Staff Veterinarian, Mystic Marinelife Aquarium, 55 Coogan Blvd., Mystic, CT 06355-1997
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