WCS offers three different externship programs:
Zoological Medicine and Surgery Veterinary Student Externship, based at the Bronx Zoo
Aquatic Medicine and Surgery Veterinary Student Externship, based at the New York Aquarium
Veterinary Technician Student Externship, based at the Bronx Zoo
Dates: August 1, 2026 - July 31, 2027 – Dates are flexible based on availability
Salary and benefits: $80,000/year with full health benefits
Application deadline: December 14, 2025
Monterey Bay Aquarium offers a one-year clinical internship for postgraduate veterinarians to train in aquatic animal medicine. We aim to decrease barriers to entry into aquarium medicine and increase the diversity of the profession; therefore, we especially encourage candidates from underrepresented backgrounds in veterinary medicine to apply.
California Wildlife Center (CWC) invites students who are entering or are in their final clinical year of veterinary school at the time of externship, to apply for 4-week veterinary externship at California Wildlife Center. The externship period will run from March to August of 2026. California Wildlife Center is unique in that it abides by its mission to provide medical care and educational outreach highlighting the local wildlife of California. During the externship, students will assist the Animal Care Department in providing health care to the patients admitted to CWC, which includes various avian species (passerines, corvids, raptors, ducks, and seabirds), small mammals, reptiles, and marine mammals (pinnipeds).
The Texas State Aquarium (TSA) provides an exciting opportunity for veterinary students to gain experience in clinical medicine and rescue/rehabilitation medicine of aquatic species. The Texas State Aquarium, located on the Corpus Christi waterfront, is an AZA-accredited facility focusing on species found in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. The animal collection consists largely of aquatic species but also includes terrestrial birds, reptiles, amphibians, and a few terrestrial mammals. The Wildlife Rescue Center operated by the aquarium serves to rehabilitate mostly sea turtles and, on occasion, marine mammals.
Veterinary externs will work closely with the TSA’s veterinary staff, which includes two full-time veterinarians and two licensed veterinary technicians, in the medical management of a large captive display collection, as well as stranded animals presenting to the wildlife rescue center. The extern’s schedule will generally be Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., but there may be times when procedures will be scheduled outside of these hours, depending on the medical needs of the collection or rescue program. Students should be flexible if asked to help on the weekend.
The veterinary student externship program is open to students who will be in their 3rd, or more preferably, 4th year of veterinary school at the time of their stay at TSA. Each position is a minimum of 2 weeks and a maximum of 4 weeks, depending on the student's availability. The number of available positions will depend on the externship length for each student that year. Preference will be given to those with previous experience in aquatic animal medicine and/or those interested in pursuing a related field post-graduation. There is currently no stipend available for this position. All candidates are expected to find their own accommodation and transportation. Parking at the aquarium is provided.
Positions are available from January to May 2027. Externship blackout dates include the IAAAM conference week in May. The application period is from September 10 to December 1, 2025. Applicants will be notified of acceptance by December 31, 2025.
Applicants are required to submit the following:
Curriculum vitae/resume
Letter of intent reflecting the applicant’s externship goals, future career goals, and any prior zoo/aquatic/exotic experience
Proof of enrollment in a veterinary school through an electronic copy of a veterinary school transcript (unofficial is acceptable)
2 letters of reference
3 sets of available dates in order of preference during the period between January 1 and May 31, 2027
For additional questions or inquiries, please email vet@txstateaq.org
Thank you for your interest in the aquatic veterinary externship program at the Wildlife Conservation Society. Aquatic Animal Health provides medical, surgical, and pathology services for the New York Aquarium. The clinical caseload varies providing the student with broad exposure to aquatic animal medicine. The student's responsibilities will include morning review of cases and assisting the veterinarians with medical and surgical cases and daily park rounds. The student will also spend time with the Water Quality and Animal Care teams, learning about water quality, life support systems, and husbandry.
The College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University is pleased to announce the 2026 AQUAVET® I, II course offerings. These aquatic veterinary medicine education programs currently consist of two courses that will be presented at Roger Williams University in Bristol, RI, in June 2026.
AQUAVET® I: An Introduction to Aquatic Veterinary Medicine is a four-week course (25 May—21 June 2026) intended primarily for veterinary students.
AQUAVET® II: Comparative Pathology of Aquatic Animals is a two-week course (25 May—7 June 2026) oriented toward the pathology of diseases of aquatic invertebrates and fish that are used in biomedical research, encountered in display aquaria, and important in commercial aquaculture.
AQUAVET® Summer Research Fellow (one offered) is an 8-week research program. Students usually study fish disease in a lab at Cornell University. There is no tuition, and after completing the program, they receive a stipend of $3,800.
Veterinary students can receive credits for the courses and graduate; veterinarians can receive CE credits.
More detailed information and admission applications (due by January 15, 2026) are available on the website www.aquavet.org.
The Master of Aquatic Animal Medicine is an advanced graduate program based at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the CEU Cardenal Herrera University, in Valencia, Spain in collaboration with the world class aquarium, Oceanogràfic. This program equips veterinarians with specialized expertise in the medical care, rehabilitation, and conservation of marine mammals, sea turtles, aquatic birds, fish, and invertebrates. With a strong emphasis on both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience, the Master prepares graduates for impactful careers in aquatic animal health and conservation.
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is excited to provide veterinary students a robust learning opportunity to gain experience in clinical medicine and rescue/rehabilitation medicine of aquatic species. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium, located near Clearwater Beach, FL, is supported by two clinical veterinarians, a hospital manager, and two veterinary technicians. The collection consists of bottlenose and rough toothed dolphins, North American river otters, pelicans, sea turtles, and various fish and elasmobranchs. Sea turtle and manatee rehabilitation occurs onsite while cetacean rehabilitation occurs offsite about 40min north. In addition, the Aquarium’s five-year plan includes collection additions of California sea lions, sharks and penguin habitats.
Come join us in the North Fork of Long Island in Riverhead, NY October 12-16th. Perfect Apple picking, Farm visiting, Wine tasting, Seafood eating time! We have exciting Zebrafish sessions, Hands on Ultrasound Wetlab, Round Table Discussion and Fish Continuing Education Lectures.
OPEN ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS: Please consider submitting a talk to this year's conference. Did you like last year's conference? Is there something you can share with this friendly fish group? Please submit a rough idea of what you can talk about. Honorariums paid after conference to help defray costs. Help shape the future of Fish CE!
Less than 2 hours from NYC, a ferry ride from CT and the rest of New England, an airport 20 mins away, we are excited for our central location this year. We will have something for everyone!
Food Fish
Government
Aquaculture
Public Aquaria
Research
Education
Private Fish Practice
ABVP and other Educational Opportunities
Vendors
Hands On Wetlabs
Tours of Local Fish Businesses and Universities
Free Entry to Long Island Aquarium
The American Fisheries Society’s Fish Health Section is soliciting proposals to host the 10th International Symposium on Aquatic Animal Health (ISAAH-10) in the autumn of 2026 (dates negotiable). This stimulating gathering of international aquatic animal health professionals occurs every four years, most recently in 2022 in Santiago, Chile. Participating professional societies have included the European Association of Fish Pathologists, Japanese Society of Fish Pathology, and International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine, and the event has been sponsored by industry supporters, academic institutions, government agencies, and veterinary associations.
The 15th International Effects of Oil on Wildlife (EOW) conference is the only global meeting focusing on the planning, response, rehabilitation, and research aspects of oil spills and their impacts to wildlife. This conference, organized by Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research, Inc. and hosted by SANCCOB, is the primary venue for experts in a variety of specialties from around the world to exchange ideas and information to increase our ability to protect and restore wildlife at risk. Since the inaugural meeting, interest in oiled wildlife response has increased exponentially, as have the resources dedicated to preparedness, research and damage mitigation.
