15 Veterinary Internships for High School Students in Georgia

If you’re a high school student interested in veterinary science, an internship can be a great way to see what working with animals is really like. These experiences let you practice skills such as taking patient histories, administering basic care, and talking with pet owners about treatment—all while helping you decide if this path is right for you.

In Georgia, you have access to a wide range of opportunities in veterinary care thanks to the state’s strong network of zoos, aquariums, animal shelters, and wildlife rehabilitation centers. Local universities and veterinary clinics also open their doors to students, which means you don’t have to travel far to gain meaningful experience. Choosing a nearby program can also make participation more affordable, while still giving you hands-on exposure to animal health and care.

To help you explore your options, we’ve put together a list of 15 veterinary internships for high school students in Georgia, along with details on eligibility, applications, and what you can expect from each program.

1. University of Georgia VetCAMP

 Acceptance rate: Selective; limited seats
Location: University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Cost: $1000 program fee; partial scholarships may be available
Dates: May – June
Application Deadline: January
Eligibility: Open to U.S. high school students

VetCAMP (Veterinary Career Aptitude and Mentoring Program) is a week-long summer program hosted at the University of Georgia's College of Veterinary Medicine. As a participant, you'll explore the many career paths within veterinary science through hospital visits, lab sessions, and field trips. The program includes behind-the-scenes access to UGA’s diagnostic labs and Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center. You’ll also get a close look at the veterinary school experience, learning about admissions, coursework, and career options directly from faculty and current students. To apply, you must submit a transcript, a photo, and a short YouTube video answering three essay prompts. This is one of the most established pre-vet summer camps in the U.S., with limited seats and partial scholarships available.

2. Ladder Internship Program

Cohort size: Selective; not specified
Location: Remote
Cost: Program cost starts at $2,490; financial aid available
Dates: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter cohorts
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort (January, May, September, November)
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students (10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks)

Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. These start-ups offer internships that range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting, among others. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies, on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form. The virtual internship typically lasts 8 weeks.

3. VetCAMP – UGA College of Veterinary Medicine

 Acceptance rate: ~52 selected annually  
Location: UGA campus, Athens, GA
Cost: $10 (student) + $10 (chaperone) deposits
Dates: May - June
Application Deadline: January
Eligibility: U.S. high school students (grades 9–12)

VetCAMP (Veterinary Career Aptitude and Mentoring Program) is an intensive week-long summer program. It is over a week-long residential experience, in which you’ll engage in clinical and field-based learning sessions, including surgery demonstrations, diagnostic labs, poultry, and wildlife care. At VetCAMP, you will be involved in activities aimed at evaluating your skills and competitiveness. There will be group activities that include professional panels and career guidance. The camp size (~52 students) ensures a strong mentor-to-student ratio.

4. AgDiscovery Veterinary Science Program – Fort Valley State University

 Acceptance rate: ~15 students; highly selective
Location: Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA
Cost/Stipend: No tuition; includes residential housing and meals on campus)
Dates: Typically June 4–June 15 (exact dates vary by year)
Application Deadline: Opens annually in spring
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–17 with an interest in veterinary science

Fort Valley State’s AgDiscovery Program offers a fully funded, immersive two-week experience for 15 students. You’ll join hands-on labs examining various animals such as dogs, goats, and horses. You will also participate in field visits to dairy farms and airports (like the Beagle Brigade) and explore careers in animal health, biotechnology, and wildlife conservation. The program’s workshops cover vet-focussed topics, and USDA professionals provide mentorship throughout the session. The residential format fosters collaboration and introduces you to campus life while helping you develop academic and professional skills in veterinary and animal sciences.

5. Georgia Aquarium Internship Program

 Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; selective
Location: Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Stipend: Paid (amount not specified)
Dates: 8–12 weeks (Summer session opens mid- to late February)
Application Deadline: Mid- to late February for summer session
Eligibility: High school graduates age 18+; U.S. work authorization required

If you're passionate about aquatic animals, the Georgia Aquarium offers an immersive 8–12 week paid internship where you’ll gain experience in departments such as animal training, zoological operations, and dive operations. You’ll work alongside professionals and receive structured feedback as you apply what you’ve learned in the classroom to real-world environments. As an intern, you’ll need to commit to 20 to 40 hours per week and will likely assist with presentations, feedings, or research tasks depending on the role. The program offers professional development, unlimited Aquarium admission, and access to guest discounts. You'll develop career-relevant skills while learning how a large-scale nonprofit aquarium operates behind the scenes.

6. North Georgia Wildlife Park Internship

 Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; interview-based
Location: North Georgia Wildlife Park, Cleveland, GA
Cost/Stipend: Stipend: None (housing may be available)
Dates: 3 months; available year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students 16+; must commit to 20+ hours/week including weekends

Located in Cleveland, Georgia, this seasonal 3-month internship gives you hands-on experience with exotic and domestic animals at North Georgia Wildlife and Safari Park. You’ll assist in animal care, feeding, cleaning, and enrichment, and may also support zoo outreach, farm work, and public tours. You will work closely with zookeepers and educators to learn about animal husbandry and visitor engagement in a small zoo setting. You’ll need to commit at least 20 hours per week and be available on weekends. Housing is sometimes available, and you would need to attend an interview before getting selected. You’ll gain practical, resume-worthy skills across animal care, education, and guest interaction while working in a real wildlife park environment.

7. Internships at the Smithsonian National Zoo

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; varies by internship
Location: Few virtual and hybrid options available for Georgia students
Cost/Stipend: Paid; stipend amount varies
Dates: Typically 8–12 weeks; varies by internship
Application Deadline: Rolling; check website for updates
Eligibility: Open to all high school students

The Smithsonian National Zoo gives you the chance to explore veterinary science and animal care through its wide range of internships. You’ll learn directly from animal care staff and veterinary researchers, gaining exposure to zoological medicine, wildlife conservation, and public education. As part of the internship, you will cover everything from bird care to animal welfare science and even felid endocrinology.

Because some opportunities are virtual or hybrid, you can can apply without worrying about relocating. This makes it a unique way to build hands-on skills in animal management and veterinary research while contributing to the zoo’s conservation mission.

8. Oatland Island Wildlife Center Animal Care Internship

 Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; limited to available spots
Location: Oatland Island Wildlife Center, Savannah, GA
Cost/Stipend: Stipend: None
Dates: Spring (Feb–Apr/Mar–May), Summer (May–Jul/Jun–Aug), Fall (Sep–Nov/Oct–Dec)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school graduates age 18+; must commit 24 hours/week for 3 months

Located in Savannah, this animal care internship will give you a behind-the-scenes look at zookeeping and wildlife management with native Georgia species. You will assist with husbandry tasks such as diet prep, feeding, cleaning enclosures, enrichment, and observational health checks. Depending on timing and staff needs, you may also observe veterinary procedures or rehabilitation efforts. You will need to commit 288 hours over 3 months, typically spread across three 8-hour shifts per week. You must provide a recent TB test and have up-to-date tetanus vaccination. While hands-on animal interaction is limited for safety, you’ll gain exposure to nearly every area of animal operations. You’ll work in a structured wildlife setting and receive extensive training in animal husbandry and care practices.

9. Wild Nest Bird Rehab Volunteer Program

 Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Wild Nest Bird Rehab, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Stipend: None (volunteer position)
Dates: Ongoing
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to students age 16+

If you're 16 or older and interested in working directly with wildlife, Wild Nest Bird Rehab offers a volunteer program that lets you assist with feeding, cleaning, and food preparation for injured and orphaned birds. Located in Atlanta, this role gives you valuable exposure to basic animal care and wildlife rehabilitation. You will work closely with trained staff and help provide daily support for birds recovering from injury or displacement. While this is not a formal internship, it offers meaningful, hands-on experience in a clinical wildlife setting. You’ll contribute directly to wildlife recovery efforts while learning foundational animal care skills.

10. VIN Virtual Veterinary Internship

Acceptance rate: Not specified; moderately selective
Location: Remote (virtual)
Cost/Stipend: $300 commitment fee; no stipend
Dates: Year-long (rolling enrollment; typically starts in fall)
Application Deadline: Varies; check website for seasonal start dates
Eligibility: High school and college students interested in veterinary careers

The VIN Virtual Veterinary Internship is a flexible, remote program designed for you to explore careers in veterinary medicine. Over the course of a year, you will engage with practicing veterinarians through message boards, live Zoom case rounds, and self-paced modules that simulate real clinical scenarios. While the program requires a $300 commitment fee, you stand to gain valuable clinical insight, professional mentorship, and personalized feedback. You will get a certificate upon completion, providing a meaningful credential to strengthen college or veterinary school applications.

11. Zoo Atlanta Volunteen Program

 Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; varies by year
Location: Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $30 orientation fee; scholarships available
Dates: June – May (Year-round program)
Application Deadline: January
Eligibility: High school students ages 14–17 

If you are interested in animal science, conservation, and education, the year-long volunteer experience at the Zoo Atlanta Volunteen Program is just for you. As a Volunteen, you'll need commit to a minimum of 160 hours over three terms and participate in guest engagement, conservation advocacy, and species education. If you are a first-year participant, you won’t handle animals directly, but returning volunteers may assist with select animal care and enrichment under staff supervision. You'll also attend mandatory orientation and a five-day summer training program to prepare for your role. You’ll gain long-term exposure to zoo operations, conservation work, and the skills needed for future animal care or veterinary pathways.

12. Furkids Animal Shelter Volunteer Program

 Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open to all ages (under 16 with an adult)
Location: Multiple Furkids locations across Georgia
Cost/Stipend: Stipend: None
Dates: Ongoing; year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to all ages; students under 16 must volunteer with a parent

Furkids is a no-kill animal shelter in Georgia that offers you hands-on opportunities to support animal care. You can help with feeding, cleaning, and enrichment at the shelter, which houses over 200 cats in a cage-free environment. There are additional roles such as working at the Furkids Thrift Store or helping with dog adoptions at local PetSmart/Petco locations. You would be expected to assist with daily routines such as freshening water, cleaning litter boxes, and socializing with animals to provide comfort and stimulation. You’ll get direct experience supporting shelter operations and interacting with rescue animals in a well-supervised, animal-first environment.

13. Loop Abroad Veterinary Orthopedics Internship

Cohort size: Not specified; selective
Location: Online
Cost: $1,495 tuition; no stipend
Dates: Multiple sessions; 2 weeks (live online classes + independent work)
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: High school students aged 14+

In this two-week online internship, you will get to explore the fundamentals of veterinary orthopedics through live classes with a veterinary orthopedic surgeon and structured hands-on projects. You will explore how injuries in animals are diagnosed and treated, including how to read radiographs, plan surgeries, and understand biomechanics. Through lectures, video case studies, and interactive assignments, you’ll build clinical knowledge in one of the most technical branches of veterinary medicine. By the end, you’ll receive a certificate of completion and insights into veterinary life.

14. Banfield NextVet Internship

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; competitive
Location: Hybrid (in-person at local Banfield hospitals + online learning)
Cost/Stipend: No cost; paid stipend available
Dates: Summer (typically June–August; 8 weeks)
Application Deadline: Early spring (February–March)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (17+); U.S. residents only

The Banfield NextVet internship gives you a chance to step inside a real veterinary hospital and see what it’s like to work as part of a veterinary team or experience the course virtually. Over eight weeks, you will get the opportunity to shadow veterinarians and technicians, complete an online learning curriculum, and build essential soft skills. You get to experience animal wellness exams, preventive care, and client communication. You will receive mentorship from veterinary professionals and earn a stipend.

15. Loop Abroad Exotics Veterinary Pathology Internship

Cohort size: Not specified; selective
Location: Online
Cost: $1,495 tuition; no stipend
Dates: Two weeks; multiple sessions offered
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: High school students aged 14+

Led by a board-certified veterinary pathologist, this two-week program will teach you how to identify diseases and causes of death in exotic animals by examining tissues, cells, and organs. You will study pathology reports, learn about species-specific illness patterns, and even conduct digital pathology research through the program. With guidance and one-on-one support, you will get a deeper understanding of exotic veterinary pathology and how it fits into the broader field of wildlife and zoo medicine.

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