Oregon Zoo Preceptorship Program for Senior Veterinary Students

This program is available to veterinary students in their senior (fourth) year of veterinary school, and is structured according to preceptorship guidelines proposed by the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians.  Preference will be given to Oregon State and Washington State University students.  The purpose of our preceptorship program is to expose students to facets of zoological medicine that are most appropriately taught outside the veterinary school, enriching the education of students actively interested in pursuing zoological medicine as a career.  We would also like to get to know you as potential colleagues, and hope you enjoy your time here.

    Duration:  4 weeks

Schedule:  Monday through Friday, usually 8 am to 4:30 pm.  Saturday and Sunday duties should also be expected, on an on-call basis.  Additional hours will be required for background research regarding cases or for project completion.

Housing:  not provided
Stipend:  none

Insurance:  medical insurance is the responsibility of the student

Medical requirements before arrival at the zoo:
Negative TB skin test within the past 4 months
Current rabies titer
Current tetanus vaccination (within past 10 years)

Mentors:     Dr. Lisa Harrenstien, Associate Veterinarian
Phone:  (503) 525-4230; FAX:  (503) 226-0074
Dr. Mitch Finnegan, Senior Veterinarian
Phone:  (503) 220-5762; FAX:  (503) 226-0074

    Concepts to be covered during the preceptorship include: 

• Preventive medicine
• Capture equipment use & maintenance
• Employee safety & animal escape plans
• Necropsy examination techniques
• Physical examination protocol
• Microscopic examination techniques (cytology, microbiology, parasitology)
• Exhibit design & environmental enrichment
• Behavior training
• Nutrition
• Medical records using MedARKS
• Development of treatment plans
• Zoo epidemiology
• Zoonotic diseases
• Pest control
• Regulations regarding animal housing & shipping
• Continuing education & literature search opportunities for zoo veterinarians
• Conservation issues related to zoos

A completed Oregon Zoo Preceptorship Application Form is required, as well as a current resume or curriculum vitae.  Please mail these materials to Dr. Lisa Harrenstien, Oregon Zoo Veterinary Hospital, 4001 SW Canyon Road, Portland, OR 97221.  We should receive your application and resume >3 months prior to the start date of your preceptorship rotation.  If your application is approved, we will send you an orientation packet of information regarding your preceptorship and the Oregon Zoo. 

Application deadlines:

The Oregon Zoo’s preceptorship schedule follows that of the Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine.  Each preceptorship block is approximately 4 weeks long.  Students should be able to work at the zoo every day during their block, including holidays/weekends.

Preceptorship Dates                                                              Application Deadline