10 Paid Vet Internships for High School Students
If you're interested in animal care or veterinary science, a paid internship in high school can be a great way to explore the field while gaining practical experience. These programs let you go beyond the classroom by working alongside veterinarians, supporting animal care teams, and learning how clinics, shelters, and wildlife centers operate.
Unlike academic courses or volunteer hours, paid internships offer more structured, hands-on learning and often include mentorship and training. The programs on this list offer a stipend, which means you can save money for future educational expenses like college, too. Below, you'll find 10 paid vet internships for high school students that offer a mix of professional exposure, mentorship, and skill-building in animal medicine and care.
10 Paid Vet Internships for High School Students
1. NextVet Internship at Banfield Pet Hospital
Location: Find locations near you using the Banfield.com location finder
Stipend: Minimum $15 per hour (exact rate varies by location)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 2–10 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: Applications typically open in February
Eligibility: Open to students aged 16+
The NextVet Internship at Banfield Pet Hospital allows high school students to gain paid, hands-on experience in veterinary settings across more than 1,000 hospital locations nationwide. As an intern, you’ll observe and shadow veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and other professionals as they treat and care for pets. Beyond shadowing, interns may assist with practical tasks like animal handling, transcribing notes, or preparing for procedures. The program also integrates virtual group sessions led by doctors and industry experts to help students understand broader veterinary careers and emerging trends. Throughout the internship, students receive ongoing mentorship from hospital teams and local leaders.
2. Veterinary Summer Experience by the University of Tennessee’s College of Veterinary Medicine
Location: Local vet practices + University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12 students per cohort
Dates: June 9 – July 11
Application deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors in Tennessee who are at least 16 years old by June 1 and have a minimum 3.0 GPA
The Veterinary Summer Experience Program (VSEP) gives selected high school juniors and seniors a five-week immersive look into veterinary practice. During the first four weeks, students shadow professionals at local clinics for around 40 hours a week, gaining firsthand exposure to daily veterinary operations and client interactions. In the final week, interns transition to a residential experience on the university campus, attending lectures, lab sessions, and clinical rotations led by faculty members. The program only accepts 12 students each summer, ensuring close mentorship and personalized training in real-world veterinary skills.
3. Bronx Zoo Animal Care Internships
Location: Bronx Zoo, Bronx, NY
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Spring, summer, fall, and winter sessions
Application deadline: Varies based on position
Eligibility: High school seniors who are at least 18 years old (make sure to verify which internships are open to high school students)
Animal care internships at the Bronx Zoo give high school seniors the chance to understand what it takes to care for animals in professional zoo and aquarium settings. Interns assist with essential daily activities such as dietary preparation, exhibit maintenance, cleaning, and animal enrichment. Depending on the specific role, tasks may also include observing behavior, maintaining life support systems, and keeping detailed records of animal health. The program offers placements across different facilities like the Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, and Central Park Zoo, each emphasizing unique areas such as aviculture, behavioral husbandry, or aquatic species care.
4. WildCare’s Wildlife Hospital Internships
Location: WildCare, San Rafael, CA
Stipend: $40 per day
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: April – September (applicants can choose a 3- or 6-month internship)
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students
WildCare’s Wildlife Hospital Internships enable students to gain direct, practical experience working with injured and orphaned wild animals. Conducted during the spring and summer months, these full-time (40 hours per week) positions involve hands-on learning in areas like animal restraint, disinfection, diet preparation, dosage calculation, and basic diagnostic testing. Interns also complete independent research projects under the supervision of senior medical staff, focusing on topics in wildlife rehabilitation and hospital operations. Training quizzes and a final exam assess comprehension and skill development throughout the session.
5. Internships at the Smithsonian National Zoo
Location: Washington, D.C. | Front Royal, VA | Herndon, VA (in-person, hybrid, and virtual formats)
Stipend: Paid (amount varies)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies based on position
Application deadline: Varies based on position
Eligibility: High school students (criteria can vary slightly depending on the position)
The Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute hosts a wide range of internships, many of which are suited for students considering careers in veterinary medicine or animal care. Opportunities include roles focused on animal husbandry, behavioral observation, conservation research, and enrichment activities across different animal species. Programs like the Carnivore Animal Keeper Internship and the Small Mammal House Enrichment Internship allow participants to engage directly in animal care and behavioral studies. Since the zoo updates its internship listings throughout the year, students can find various seasonal and topic-specific openings.
6. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Internships
Location: San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA
Stipend: Paid opportunities available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – August 28
Application deadline: November 17
Eligibility: High school students
The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance offers a variety of internship opportunities that allow students to explore wildlife care, conservation, and habitat management through direct participation and mentorship. Depending on your interests, you might assist with animal care, work alongside horticulture teams to maintain habitats, or contribute to communication and IT efforts that support conservation operations. The Wildlife Care Summer Internship focuses on hands-on work with animal care specialists, where interns learn about animal behavior, husbandry, and ecosystem management. Each internship track provides a unique perspective on how different disciplines contribute to global conservation.
7. Carolina Waterfowl Rescue Internships
Location: Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, Indian Trail, NC
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Two 90-day sessions run each year, one in spring/summer and one in fall/winter
Application deadline: Applications open in January for the spring/summer session and in July for the fall/winter session; rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school and college students aged 16 and above with a strong interest in animal care
Carolina Waterfowl Rescue offers immersive, hands-on internships for high school and college students interested in fields like zoology, wildlife biology, and pre-veterinary studies. During this internship, you’ll work closely with veterinarians, licensed rehabilitators, and trained volunteers to care for a variety of animals, including songbirds, waterfowl, and small mammals. Interns receive training in animal handling, disinfection procedures, diet preparation, and habitat enrichment while also learning to calculate and administer medications, give injections, and assist in treatments. Responsibilities may include health checks, triage, and daily feeding and cleaning routines. In addition to rehabilitation duties, interns sometimes also assist with administrative or outreach tasks.
8. The Malott Family Lincoln Park Zoo Internship Program
Location: The Malott Family Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 23 – August 8
Application deadline: March 11
Eligibility: High school students residing in Chicago and entering grades 10-12, between 15-18 years old
The Malott Family Lincoln Park Zoo Internship Program gives Chicago high school students an opportunity to explore animal science and conservation while engaging directly with the zoo community. Over a seven-week paid term, interns study informal education methods, learn how to communicate conservation messages to the public, and design a final project focused on practical conservation practices. You’ll also interact with zoo researchers and animal care professionals to gain insight into career paths in animal science and environmental education. The internship combines hands-on activities, discussions, and mentorship to help you understand both the educational and scientific sides of zoo operations.
9. Minnesota Zoo Internships
Location: Apple Valley, MN
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round opportunities
Application deadline: Varies by position
Eligibility: Varies by position
The Minnesota Zoo’s internship program provides paid opportunities for students who want to gain experience in animal care, marine biology, and conservation. Interns may assist in the daily care of marine species, take part in educational initiatives, or support conservation research projects. Working alongside zookeepers, veterinary technicians, and zoologists, you’ll gain exposure to both animal husbandry and the science behind managing animal populations. Although internship openings vary throughout the year, keeping an eye on the zoo’s website can help you find upcoming opportunities.
10. Animal Care Shelter for Kent County Internships
Location: Animal Care Shelter for Kent County, Chestertown, MD
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 6 weeks
Application deadline: Varies depending on the opportunity
Eligibility: Kent County high school students
The Animal Care Shelter for Kent County runs a six-week paid internship program for local high school students interested in animal welfare and veterinary medicine. Interns work alongside animal care professionals, helping with daily feeding, enrichment activities, and general shelter maintenance. You may also assist the Medical Coordinator with health checks and routine exams, gaining insight into shelter medicine and the rehabilitation process. Throughout the program, students learn about the responsibilities of caring for rescued animals and supporting their path to adoption.
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