Housing

Eligibility
CROW's student programs are open to individuals 18 years of age or older with an interest in wildlife rehabilitation and medicine. Internship and fellowship applicants must be United States citizens. Fellowship students must also provide a social security card.

Housing
A limited number of furnished, on-site housing facilities (utilities included) are available to CROW students for a non-refundable fee ranging from $250 to $400 (per term). Amenities, such as transportation to and from CROW, are not included in the housing contract and must be covered by the student. Housing is for program participants only; no over-night visitors, children or companion animals are allowed. Smoking is not allowed anywhere on CROWs grounds or in its facilities.

Compensation
A bi-weekly stipend and select employment benefits are available for CROW interns. Participants in the six-month fellowship program are eligible for a bi-weekly stipend of $250 (gross), which includes three paid Earned Time (ET) days off during the six-month period. No monetary compensation is available to externship participants.

Schedule
CROW facilities are open 365 days per year. The work day begins at 7 a.m., and the hospital does not close for the evening until all patients are cared for and the facility cleaned. Depending on the time of year, evening infant care and feeding may also be necessary. Students should be prepared to work longer-than-traditional days, if necessary.

Immunizations
All program applicants must provide proof of current tetanus immunizations. Proof of a pre-exposure rabies series is required from externs who are currently enrolled in veterinary school and from all fellowship applicants.

Note: While the pre-exposure rabies series is not required for four-week natural science externs, participating students cannot handle rabies vector species such as raccoons without that vaccine. Any student who wishes to gain this additional scope of experience, or who wishes to participate in an externship for longer than four weeks, should complete the series and submit proof with his or her application.

Liability
Each student is required to sign a waiver exempting CROW from liability for injury and illness occurring during his or her program participation.

Local activities
Sanibel Island is an exciting destination for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. CROW students who choose to live in CROW's housing facilities, and those who live nearby while participating in externship, fellowship and internship programs, will find a variety of activities to enjoy. Bike paths line most major roads on Sanibel, providing easy access to beaches, bird watching opportunities and kayaking. The island's main shopping district, which is home to a public library, post office, movie theater, restaurants and retail shops, is also within easy biking distance. CROW makes bikes available for student use, and a recreation and fitness center is conveniently located across the street from the CROW campus.

The Sanibel Island & Captiva Island Chamber of Commerce provides additional online resources and print brochures detailing local beaches, trails and activities.

Commitment
Student participants are very important members of the CROW rehabilitation team, and their commitment and dedication is vital to our success. The work of any rehabilitation center and wildlife hospital is labor intensive. Even the least glamorous parts of each day are vitally important to the health of our patients and their successful release back into the wild, and we depend on our students, staff and volunteers for the biggest and smallest components of each patients treatment program. Attention to detail and enthusiasm are required from every member of the CROW team; participants that embrace challenges and make the most of each experience will learn the most from these programs.