Externship Overview
The externship is focused solely on free-ranging wildlife health (veterinary medicine, research, and biology), with a particular emphasis on those activities undertaken by state and university wildlife veterinarians. Students interested more in the zoo/aquarium fields are encouraged to explore other opportunities.
Externs work side-by-side with California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) and Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center (WHC) wildlife veterinarians and pathologists and between CDFW's Wildlife Health Lab in Rancho Cordova and different WHC partner organizations (such as wildlife rehabilitation centers). Variable time may be spent at the WHC and other CDFW facilities participating in ongoing field research projects and/or oil spill response.
Key Topics
Depending upon ongoing activities at the various facilities, externs can expect to gain practical experience in:
- Wildlife immobilization and transport
- Disease investigation and management
- Wildlife conservation
- Wildlife emergency response
- Human-wildlife conflict
Externs work with a variety of species, such as cervids, carnivores, marine mammals and seabirds.
Eligibility
Must be an active veterinary student at the time of the externship.
Stipend
A stipend of $2,000 - $2,500 (depending on number of externs accepted in the year) is available to help defray travel-related expenses during the externship (housing and airfare). Externs are responsible for organizing their own accommodations and transportation.
Application
To apply, interested students should submit a letter of intent, a curriculum vitae, and two letters of reference by October 1 of their third year of veterinary school for placement in an externship in the student's fourth year to Dr. Jamie Sherman ([email protected]).
If you have any questions or concerns, please email Dr. Sherman.