Internship

Overview
Each year, CROW's nonprofit hospital and rehabilitation center provides care for more than 200 species of native and migratory birds, mammals and reptiles on Southwest Florida's Gulf Coast. The goal is to return these sick, injured and orphaned animals to the wild, and CROW's internship program invites graduate doctor of veterinary students (or the equivalent) to take an active role in that process.

CROW interns will learn to identify disease patterns, determine appropriate treatment protocols and manage cases in the hospital. Participants gain hands-on experience in treatment administration including anesthesia, surgery and necropsy techniques. Designed to enhance clinical skills and introduce the intern to wildlife medicine with an emphasis on rehabilitation, the program involves participants in every step from admittance through release, food preparation, patient care, medical procedures and husbandry. Other learning opportunities include after-hours emergency procedures, infant bird and mammal care, and community outreach duties. In addition to participating in daily rounds, interns help teach and coordinate students, staff and volunteers. And, as they care for wildlife patients, internship participants study the most recent approaches to veterinary medicine.

Duration
The internship program is a one year term.

Curriculum
During their time with CROW, internship participants will gain experience in responsibilities such as:

• Maintenance, cleaning and basic design of outdoor enclosures and hospital cages, with an emphasis on stress reduction and disease control.
• Learn the handling and restraint of various wildlife species.
• Nutritional management for wildlife patients.
• Feeding and care of orphaned babies.
• Participation in first responder rescue calls, patient admissions and release of various species.
• Hands-on experience with physical exams and concurrent diagnostics, with an emphasis on recognizing normal in different wildlife species and pinpointing diseases common to particular species.
• First hand experience of wildlife anesthesia and surgery.
• Clinical pathology work, such as assisting with fecal exams and necropsies.
• Public relations outreach in the wildlife rehabilitation setting.
• Working with volunteers.
• Optional participation in weekly student-led discussions.

Housing and General Program Information
CROW internship participants receive a bi-weekly stipend and employment benefits for their work.  Click here for job description. Visit the housing and general information page to learn more about eligibility, affordable on-campus housing options and additional program details.

Apply
An internship position is available for January 2012.  Please download an overview of the program and submit your resume, letter of intent and references to: 

CROW Internship Program
P.O. Box 150
Sanibel, FL 33957

Matching program application information is available through VIRMP.

Learn More
For questions not answered, please email or call CROW at (239) 472-3644, ext. 227.