Who’s to say a vet tech internship can’t be educational, rewarding, and cool all at once? Internships provide current students and recent graduates the opportunity to gain real-world experience while still learning closely under the supervision of more experienced vet techs and veterinarians. They may provide you with the opportunity to dive deeply into a specialty of veterinary medicine or even expose you to new and exciting fields.
The internships below skip coffee errands or menial tasks, but instead provide students the opportunity to learn by doing. They also provide a twist on traditional vet tech internships, offering the chance to give hands-on care to a variety of species. Many are based in zoos or animal rehabilitation facilities, while others cater to large farm animals or even marine mammals.
For facilities with animal hospitals or specialized clinics, they even provide specialized training in high-demand areas like veterinary radiology, necrology, animal husbandry, emergency medicine, sedatives and anesthesia, surgical care, and more.
Looking for exciting vet tech internships to gain additional experience and build your career? Look no further than the 20 internships below. Most of these opportunities are available annually.
CARE Charlotte Animal Referral & Emergency offers a one-year veterinary technician internship for 2026-2027. The program includes month-long rotations in surgery, internal medicine, neurology, emergency, cardiology, and 3 electives. Electives include oncology, ophthalmology, ICU, rehab, dentistry, feline, exotics, or large animals. Interns gain hands-on skills in anesthesia, orthopedic and soft tissue surgeries, cytology, transfusions, dentistry, and radiography.
Interns work a variety of shifts. These include days, overnights, weekends, and holidays. The hourly wage comes with benefits. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401K with match, $750 HRA allowance, and $750 for mental health. Interns also get $500 for CE, $70 for scrubs, 40 hours PTO, and 30 hours sick leave. There are 10 spots available. The start date is July 1, 2026.
- City: Charlotte
- State: North Carolina
- Application Deadline: February 16, 2026
Cornell University Hospital for Animals
Cornell University Hospital for Animals offers a one-year Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) Internship. The program helps new graduates or experienced technicians grow their skills. Interns perform core rotations and one elective. Choices include small animal, large animal, hybrid, or exotics.
Interns perform tasks like restraint, exams, injections, diagnostics, surgery preparation, imaging, nursing, anesthesia, and more. Rotations last four to six weeks and include nights, weekends, and holidays. Candidates must be graduates of an AVMA school and NY license-eligible. Applications due April 1 via online form.
- City: Ithaca
- State: New York
- Application Deadline: April 1
Fort Wayne Zoo offers veterinary technician externships for vet tech students. Interns assist vets and vet techs with procedures, treatments, hospital maintenance, and zoo animal care. They get hands-on experience in zoo and wildlife medicine.
Externships take place in the fall or spring. Interns work 30 to 40 hours per week. The program is unpaid and does not include housing. It requires a TB test, and rabies, hepatitis B, and tetanus vaccinations are recommended.
- City: Fort Wayne
- State: Indiana
- Application Deadline: Fall (June 1 to July 31); Spring (October 1 to November 30)
Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC)
Since 1985, the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center has offered a veterinary technician internship program. This competitive 52-week internship trains vet techs to provide the highest level of care. With over 54,000 cases a year, the AMC is one of the busiest veterinary hospitals in the country.
Rotations include anesthesia, internal medicine, emergency and critical care, medical or surgical units, and two electives from over 20 specialties. Interns attend labs and lectures to further their education.
- City: New York
- State: New York
- Application Deadline: August 2026
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center offers veterinary technician internships focused on wildlife conservation and rehabilitation. One internship is designed for senior-level students seeking animal care experience, lasting six to eight weeks.
Another internship is available to those with at least one year of work experience. Housing is provided and interns receive a $300 to $400 monthly stipend.
- City: Glen Rose
- State: Texas
- Application Deadline: Spring (October 1), Summer (March 1), Fall (June 1)
Students and graduates can intern at the Staten Island Zoo in areas like nutrition, animal health, animal care, and wildlife education. Vet tech interns assist with daily animal care and veterinary tasks.
Applicants should ideally have a background in biology, zoology, or veterinary technology. Internships require at least three months and availability two days each week.
- City: Staten Island
- State: New York
- Application Deadline: Spring (October 1), Summer (March 1), Fall (June 1)
Saint Louis Zoo offers paid veterinary technician internships for college students or recent graduates. Interns complete 300 hours at $15 per hour and gain hands-on experience with zoo animal healthcare.
Interns work with animal health teams and learn practical veterinary skills from experienced professionals.
- City: St. Louis
- State: Missouri
- Application Deadline: Winter/Spring (November 1); Summer (March 1); Fall (July 1)
Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch
This sanctuary houses hundreds of animals including horses, burros, bison, primates, and big cats. Interns assist veterinarians and animal care staff with daily operations and medical tasks.
Internships typically require 40 hours per week for about 12 weeks. Housing may be available depending on the specific internship listing.
- City: Murchison
- State: Texas
- Application Deadline: Varies by season
University of Tennessee SACS Veterinary Technician Internship
This internship is designed for graduates of accredited vet tech programs. Interns complete rotations in emergency, ICU, anesthesia, internal medicine, neurology, and oncology.
The program lasts one year and interns earn $16 per hour with optional housing in university dorms.
- City: Knoxville
- State: Tennessee
- Application Deadline: Varies
This internship provides hands-on veterinary technician experience with animals like penguins, seals, birds, reptiles, and fish.
Interns assist with animal care, quarantine procedures, guest interaction, and veterinary tasks.
- City: Galveston
- State: Texas
- Application Deadline: Rolling
This internship focuses on marine wildlife rehabilitation and ocean conservation. Interns assist with clinical rotations, necropsy work, anesthesia, and animal husbandry.
- City: Sausalito
- State: California
- Application Deadline: Rolling
Littleton Equine Medical Center
This internship trains veterinary technicians interested in equine medicine. Interns work with horses as well as cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs.
- City: Littleton
- State: Colorado
- Application Deadline: Rolling
This yearlong internship provides experience in wildlife medicine including surgery assistance, radiography, lab analysis, and rehabilitation.
- City: Waynesboro
- State: Virginia
- Application Deadline: Fall
This internship provides experience working with endangered species including rhinoceros, zebras, cheetahs, and condors.
- City: Jacksonville
- State: Florida
- Application Deadline: Rolling
Externs work in clinical pathology labs and assist with aquatic animal healthcare including fish, mammals, reptiles, and birds.
- City: Chicago
- State: Illinois
- Application Deadline: Varies by season
This 12-week internship provides hands-on wildlife rehabilitation experience including feeding, medication administration, and lab work.
- City: Lynnwood
- State: Washington
- Application Deadline: Rolling
This internship provides veterinary technician training with amphibians, reptiles, fish, and other marine animals.
- City: Boston
- State: Massachusetts
- Application Deadline: Varies
This internship offers experience in zoological veterinary technology including pharmacology, clinical pathology, surgical preparation, and anesthesia.
- City: Baltimore
- State: Maryland
- Application Deadline: Spring, Summer, Fall
Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center
This rotating internship at Iowa State University includes core and elective rotations in small and large animal teaching hospitals.
- City: Ames
- State: Iowa
- Application Deadline: Rolling
This summer internship focuses on veterinary research animal care. Interns assist with injections, blood collection, surgery support, and critical care monitoring.
- City: Various US locations
- State: Multiple States
- Application Deadline: Rolling for Summer 2026
