The following Canadian Zoos and Aquariums offer externships/preceptorships for final year veterinary students:
ALBERTA
1) WILDER INSTITUTE’S CALGARY ZOO
Institution: Calgary Zoo Animal Health Centre
Address: 1625 Centre Ave East, Calgary, AB T2E 8K2
Primary Contact: Dr. Doug Whiteside
Position (of Contact): Head Veterinarian and Senior Manager- Animal Health and Welfare
Phone: 403-232-9390
Email Address: dougw@calgaryzoo.com
Brief description of program: Student will participate and be exposed to the various aspects of zoological medicine, surgery, and pathology with a collection size of approximately 1000 animals. Student often have opportunity to shadow zookeepers one day a week in different areas of the zoo as well to learn more about husbandry, training and enrichment, and nutrition.
Duration of Externship: 3-4 weeks
Application Deadline: At least one year in advance of desired placement date due to demand
Compensation: None
Housing: A bachelor apartment is available at the Animal Health Centre ($100/week)
Transportation: Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the zoo
Insurance: Student must provide own insurance
Expenses: Student is responsible for own expenses
TB Tests/Vaccinations: Not required; however, up-to-date tetanus and rabies vaccinations are recommended
Does program accept International applicants? Yes
Institution: Edmonton Valley Zoo
Address: 13315 Buena Vista Road, Edmonton, Alberta
Primary Contact: Dr MJ Limoges
Position (of Contact): Head Veterinarian
Phone: 780-496-4850
Email Address: mj.limoges@edmonton.ca
Brief description of program: Student will be exposed to all aspects of veterinary medicine in a zoological setting. The collection comprises approximately 500 animals, with an emphasis on mammals. Student will be responsible for data entry on current cases. Student will have opportunity to shadow zookeepers in different areas of the zoo, according to interest.
Duration of Externship: 2-4 weeks
Application Deadline: N/A
Compensation: None
Housing: Not provided, but sometimes arrangements can be made with zoo staff
Transportation: Not provided, but sometimes arrangements can be made with zoo staff
Insurance: Student must provide own
Expenses: Student is responsible for own expenses
TB Tests/Vaccinations: Not required; however, up-to-date tetanus and rabies vaccinations are recommended
Does program accept International applicants? Yes
ONTARIO
1) TORONTO ZOO
Institution: Toronto Zoo
Address: 361A Old Finch Avenue Toronto, ON M1B 5K7
Primary Contact: Andrea Dada
Position (of Contact): Wildlife Health Clerk
Phone: (416) 392-5978
Email Address: adada@torontozoo.ca
Brief description of program: Student will be exposed to all aspects of veterinary medicine in a zoological setting. The collection comprises approximately 3000 animals of over 300 species. The veterinary extern will gain experience by shadowing and assisting the clinical veterinarian and medical team through their daily duties. The extern will assist with the preventative and curative medicine and surgery of wildlife under our care, which includes a wide variety of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish, and invertebrates. The extern will also be exposed to various aspects of curatorial and health management in a zoo setting.
Duration of Externship: 3-4 weeks
Application Deadline: April 1st, 2027. To apply, click HERE to download documents
Compensation: None
Housing: Not provided.
Transportation: Not provided.
Insurance: Student must provide own and provide proof of coverage
Expenses: Student is responsible for own expenses.
TB Tests/Vaccinations: Negative intradermal TB test, current protective rabies titer.
Does program accept International applicants? Yes
2) ONTARIO TURTLE CONSERVATION CENTRE
Institution: Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre
Address: 2785 Television Rd. Peterborough, ON
Primary Contact: Dr. Kristen Janke
Position (of Contact): Veterinarian
Phone: 705-741-5000
Email Address: hospital@ontarioturtle.ca
Brief description of program: Final year veterinary students gain extensive hands-on clinic experience handling and treating turtles who have suffered injuries mainly due to vehicle collisions. Observation and participation in surgical shell fracture fixation is possible during the summer season. With over 2000 intakes per year and 1000 overwintering turtles in rehabilitation, there is significant opportunity for learning in our unique hospital setting. Experience with turtles is not necessary for this rotation.
Duration of Externship: 2-4 weeks any time of year. Type of works varies greatly by season.
Application Deadline: ongoing
To apply, please contact Dr. Kristen Janke directly by email with your preferred rotation dates and a brief explanation of your interest in our work.
Please send all application documents or any question regarding the program to hospital@ontarioturtle.ca
Compensation: none
Housing: none
Transportation: none
Insurance: none
Expenses: none
TB Tests/Vaccinations: none
Does program accept International applicants? International veterinary students are welcome to apply provided they have the appropriate visas/paperwork provided through their school.
QUEBEC
Institution: Zoo de Granby
Address:525, Rue St. Hubert, Granby, Quebec, J2G 5P3
Primary Contact: Dr. Cédric Larouche
Position (of Contact): Head Veterinarian
Phone: (450) 372-9113
Email Address: clarouche@zoodegranby.com
Brief description of program: The Zoo de Granby is the most significant zoological garden in Québec (Canada), with trails allowing visitors to observe over 1,360 animals from about 190 species, several of which are part of a species survival plan (SSP). The Zoo de Granby is one of only seven institutions in Canada to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). It is also a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). The hospital staff is composed of two ACZM-boarded veterinarians and three veterinary technicians. Specialized equipment such as digital radiography, ultrasonography, and endoscopy are available within the hospital. The zoo’s proximity to the Faculté de médecine vétérinaire of theUniversité de Montréal allows for a close collaboration in the management of complex cases.
Duration of Externship: Four positions are available from May 2025 to April 2026. Rotations are for a duration of 4 consecutive weeks
Application Deadline: November 23rd, 2025. (successful applicants will be contacted by December 23rd, 2025)
To apply, please provide the following documents upon application:
- Letter of intent
- Include preferred preceptorship period / dates
- Curriculum vitae
- Two standardized reference letters (follow this link)
Please send all application documents or any question regarding the program to Cédric Larouche (clarouche@zoodegranby.com)
Compensation: None
Housing: Not provided.
Transportation: Not provided.
Insurance: Student must provide own and provide proof of coverage
Expenses: Student is responsible for own expenses.
TB Tests/Vaccinations: Proof of Current protective rabies titer.
Does program accept International applicants? Yes
Additional Information:
The zoo is in a French setting. Veterinarians are fluent in English, but a conversational knowledge of French is required to interact with the rest of the staff (technicians, keepers).
- The program is only open to veterinary students in their senior year of DVM.
- Before the beginning of the preceptorship, you will be asked to submit:
- A proof of protective rabies serologic titers
- A proof of liability insurance coverage (typically provided by your university)
- Additionally, international applicants will need to submit the following documents before the beginning of their preceptorship:
- An international Co-op internship permit delivered by the government of Canada
- A proof of health insurance