15 Veterinary Internships for High School Students in California
High school internships are a great way for you to improve your resume, get a head start in college admissions, and gain insight into your career interests. They offer experience, mentorship, and practical skills that classroom learning simply can’t provide. For students passionate about veterinary science, early exposure through internships can help determine if the work suits them and build a competitive profile ahead of college.
To support aspiring veterinarians, we’ve curated 15 veterinary internships for high school students in California. From clinic-based shadowing, on-the-job learning to virtual internships, there’s something here for everyone. These opportunities offer a diverse range of experiences, including animal care, laboratory work, conservation efforts, and professional collaboration.
Disclaimer: Some programs below are not traditional internships, but rather academic or introductory programs! They have been included for the practical experiences they offer.
15 Veterinary Internships for High School Students in California
1. SPCA Monterey County Wildlife Center Internship
Location: Salinas, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate: Moderately selective
Dates: Spring (February–May); Summer (May–August)
Application Deadline: January 31 for Spring, April 1 for Summer (tentative)
Eligibility: High school students, 16–18, interested in wildlife rehabilitation
You’ll work alongside wildlife staff caring for injured and orphaned birds and mammals at the SPCA Wildlife Center. You’ll help prepare diets, hand-feed neonates, and perform essential husbandry tasks, such as cleaning enclosures and monitoring patients. You’ll learn to safely restrain animals for exams and assist with basic medical treatments. Each intern keeps detailed records of patients’ progress and practices safe handling techniques.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate: Moderately selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, 10–20 hours/week commitment for 8-12 weeks
Ladder internships match you with a high-growth start-up in your chosen field, in this case, veterinary, where you’ll complete a real-world project under dual mentorship (a ladder coach and a company mentor). You’ll work 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks on your project, accompanied by weekly workshops that focus on professional skills such as project management and communication. At the end of the program, you will present your final project to company leaders.
3. NextVet Internship at Banfield Pet Hospital
Location: Multiple Banfield hospital locations across the U.S., including CA
Stipend: Starts at ~ $15/hour, varies by location
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: 6–10 weeks during the summer (approximately 15 hours per week)
Application Deadline: Not specified (applications typically open in winter)
Eligibility: Ages 16+; must meet basic physical requirements (e.g., able to lift ~50 lbs)
As a NextVet intern, you will shadow veterinarians and veterinary technicians in a clinical setting, gaining insight into the daily operations of a vet hospital. You may participate in supervised tasks, including preparing for surgeries and setting up lab tests, as well as practicing proper animal handling techniques and assisting with routine exams. The program also includes virtual group sessions where you learn from experienced doctors and industry leaders about different veterinary career paths. Throughout the internship, you are mentored by Banfield’s hospital teams, which helps you build practical skills like transcribing medical notes and understanding patient care protocols in a real-world environment.
4. UC Davis Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center – Milk Quality Lab Internship
Location: Tulare, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: Academic semester aligned; recurring annually
Application Deadline: Coordinated through Tulare-area high schools (annual scheduling)
Eligibility: High school seniors in Tulare County
You’ll work alongside veterinary technicians to analyze dairy samples, monitoring animal health and milk quality. Interns learn laboratory procedures, including culturing, testing, and recording data for herd health studies. You’ll also go for field visits to dairy farms and participate in educational seminars about veterinary diagnostics.
5. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance – Wildlife Care Summer Internship
Location: San Diego, CA
Stipend: Paid (not disclosed)
Acceptance rate: Moderately selective
Dates: June – August (annual summer session)
Application Deadline: November (application window opens for next summer)
Eligibility: High school seniors (ages 16–18)
You’ll join the Wildlife Care team, assisting with daily care and treatment of animals at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Interns will gain experience in feeding, preparing diets, and cleaning habitats under the supervision of animal care specialists and zoo veterinarians. You’ll observe veterinary examinations and assist with basic procedures, such as administering medications and maintaining records.
6. The Marine Mammal Center – Youth Crew Program
Location: Sausalito, CA
Stipend: Unpaid (need-based stipend available: up to $4500 for up to five youth accepted)
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: January - August
Application Deadline: July - September
Eligibility: High school students
In this internship, you’ll work alongside rescue and veterinary teams, helping care for marine life. You’ll assist with animal diet prep, habitat cleaning, and medical support tasks. Interns also participate in education programs, learning about marine conservation, disease, and rescue protocols. Throughout the year, you’ll rotate through animal care, education, and operations shifts. This internship is great if you’re passionate about marine animal health and conservation medicine.
7. Oakland Zoo Teen Wild Guides Program
Location: Oakland, CA
Cost: $50 initiation fee, $25 annually (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate: Moderately selective
Dates: June – August (training in May mandatory)
Application Deadline: Typically early April
Eligibility: High school students ages 13–17
As a Teen Wild Guide, you’ll be supporting animal care and public education at the Oakland Zoo. You’ll interact with guests while sharing information about conservation and animal habitats, and you’ll assist in preparing enrichment activities for the zoo animals. This program includes training in animal welfare, public speaking, and environmental stewardship. Though you won’t perform direct veterinary procedures, you’ll see how zoo veterinary teams work and contribute to animal care.
8. Lindsay Wildlife Experience – Outstanding Wildlife Leader (OWL) program
Location: Walnut Creek, CA
Cost: $700 (limited financial aid may be available)
Acceptance rate: Moderately selective
Dates: Year-round (minimum of 100 hours commitment)
Application Deadline: May 15 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school students ages 15–18, able to lift ~15 lbs
In this year-round volunteer internship, you’ll assist with the daily care of native California wildlife patients. Responsibilities include food preparation, cage cleaning, and observation of veterinary care in the wildlife hospital. You’ll also educate visitors about local species and conservation issues.
9. Helen Woodward Animal Center Volunteer
Location: Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: Sessions run seasonally, with both summer and year-round opportunities
Application Deadline: Rolling, varies
Eligibility: High school students
As a Junior Volunteer at Helen Woodward Animal Center, you’ll help care for barnyard animals, including alpacas, goats, horses, and chickens, in the Education and Therapy departments. You may assist with educational programs, therapy animal sessions, and summer camps, gaining practical experience in basic animal handling, care, and public outreach. You’ll gain hands-on skills and insight into how an animal care nonprofit operates.
10. Peninsula Humane Society - Vet Shadow Program
Location: San Mateo, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate: Open for all
Dates: Varies
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: High school students
This is not an internship, but rather an introduction to animal care and veterinary medicine. In this brief, one-day program, you'll have the chance to observe veterinary medicine within a shelter environment. You'll observe spay and neuter surgeries firsthand and get the opportunity to interview a staff veterinarian to learn about their journey through veterinary school and their career post graduation.
11. WildCare – Youth Wildlife Hospital Volunteer Program
Location: San Rafael, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate: Moderately selective
Dates: Year-round rolling
Application Deadline: Rolling applications
Eligibility: High school students able to commit a 4-hour weekly shift (or 1.5 hours for school days) for a minimum of 6 months
As an Animal Hospital Volunteer, you’ll help care for injured and orphaned wildlife brought to WildCare’s busy urban hospital. Duties include preparing diets, cleaning enclosures, doing laundry and dishes, and observing treatments by veterinary staff. Volunteers receive training in proper handling, safety, and biosecurity protocols. Although you won’t directly work hands-on with any animals, you’ll be able to observe, assist, and learn how wildlife rehabilitation operates on a day-to-day basis.
12. Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue – Junior Volunteer Program
Location: Petaluma, CA
Cost: $150
Acceptance rate: Open enrolment
Dates: Rolling, year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling (orientation held quarterly: Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct)
Eligibility: High school students who can commit for 12 months or more, for 4 hours a week (parent/guardian participation required)
You’ll work alongside your parent or guardian to support wildlife rescue operations at Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue without direct animal handling. Activities include feeding and caring for domestic barnyard animals, assisting with educational programs, helping in the wildlife kitchen, and participating in community events and outreach. You’ll gain exposure to wildlife rehabilitation protocols and hospital operations through observation, behind‑the‑scenes support of rehabilitators, and attending introductory training sessions on wildlife care.
13. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens – ZooTeen Volunteer Program
Location: Palm Desert, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate: Moderately selective
Dates: Year-round; commitment of at least two service shifts per month
Application Deadline: typically open annually in the fall
Eligibility: Ages 14–18, currently enrolled in high school
As a ZooTeen at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, you’ll engage directly with guests, helping to educate them and support a variety of zoo operations. You’ll be trained in public speaking, guest service, and key roles throughout the zoo, such as the Discovery Center, Petting Kraal, and Model Train Display. In this position, you’ll also develop leadership skills and learn about wildlife conservation, zoology, and the importance of public education. While you won’t perform animal care or veterinary procedures, you’ll work in a professional zoo environment and gain valuable experience if you’re interested in animal or science careers.
14. The Marine Mammal Center – Stewardship Saturday
Location: Sausalito, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate: Open enrolment
Dates: Recurring, single-day program held on Saturdays throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling application, depending on available dates
Eligibility: High school students ages 15–18
If you sign up for Stewardship Saturday at The Marine Mammal Center, you’ll spend a morning volunteering on-site in Sausalito. Your duties may include helping with facility upkeep, such as landscaping and cleaning, supporting education and outreach activities, and learning about marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation. While you may not directly care for seals or sea lions, you’ll gain insight into the work of animal rescue through on-site presentations about marine ecology, conservation, and the Center’s veterinary operations. This internship for high school students in California is great if you are passionate about marine mammals, conservation, or veterinary careers.
15. Massie Equine – High School Student Veterinary Internship
Location: Sonoma County, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: Rolling throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling, varies
Eligibility: Local high school seniors, ages 17–18, with a driver’s license and reliable transportation; able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs
In this one-day-per-week volunteer program, you’ll shadow equine veterinarians as they work with horses around the region. You’ll observe exams, learn about diagnostics and treatment, assist with basic animal care support, and gain exposure to veterinary equipment and client interaction. This is one of those internships for high school students in California that is tailored for students interested in equine (horse) veterinary medicine and provides an excellent introduction to this specialty practice.