Advanced Training Opportunities
Further your education
As part of our mission of education, we offer a variety of hands-on learning opportunities. We currently offer:
2026 VETERINARY INTERNSHIP
ABOUT THE POSITION
Applications are Open Now August 1st - December 15th
As part of our mission of education, we offer a oneyear clinical veterinary internship, with the possibility of a second year for a veterinary fellowship or collaborative master’s degree program. This program provides training in marine mammal and wildlife medicine, rehabilitation, husbandry, necropsy, and research for veterinarians interested in pursuing a career in marine mammal medicine, conservation, and research.
The veterinary intern will be trained by our clinical veterinarians, medical team, and animal care specialists. This veterinary internship will provide experience in pinniped husbandry, physical examination, medical treatments, anesthesia, phlebotomy, radiography, ultrasonography, endoscopy, surgery, and cetacean stranding response. In addition, the selected candidate will participate in marine mammal stranding response, triage, stabilization, transport and necropsy of pinnipeds and cetaceans.
Applications for the 2026 veterinary internship program (July 1st, 2026 - July 1st, 2027) are NOW OPEN.
The intern will have the opportunity to pursue one or more clinical or research projects, with the goal of presentation at a professional conference and a publication in a peer-reviewed journal. In addition, the intern will mentor veterinary externs and visiting graduate students during their clinical rotations through the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, as well as work with our animal care volunteers, docents, and education teams. Applications are DUE NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15th, 2025, and will be reviewed as they are submitted.
2027 VETERINARY STUDENT EXTERNSHIP
ABOUT THE POSITION
Applications are Open Now August 1st - December 15th
Pacific Marine Mammal Center offers a 4-week externship for veterinary students that provides experience in marine mammal medicine, rehabilitation, husbandry, necropsy and research. The extern will work under the direct supervision of the veterinarians, as well as assist animal care staff and volunteers with daily care and feeding of the patients.
Externs will participate in pinniped (and occasional cetacean) triage, physical examinations, medical treatments, anesthesia, biological sample collection, radiography, ultrasonography, endoscopy and surgery depending on the needs of the patients at the time of their externship. In addition, externs will participate in live animal stranding response and necropsy, including pinnipeds and cetaceans. Externs will be required to complete a small project. Results will be presented to Pacific Marine Mammal Center staff and volunteers, with the potential of completing a research project that can be presented at a conference and/or published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Applications for the 2027 veterinary externship program (January 1st, 2027 - August 1st, 2027) are NOW OPEN.
Students will be scheduled for 4-week blocks during this time. This is an unpaid position. Preference will be given to students who will be in their final clinical year of veterinary school at the time of the externship. Travel, transportation, and housing will not be provided and is the responsibility of the extern. Please note that housing in this area can be expensive and plans should be made accordingly. Applications are DUE NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15th, 2025, and will be reviewed as they are submitted. Students will be notified of their acceptance into the 2027 program on or before February 1st, 2026.
2026 MED TEAM VOLUNTEER
ABOUT THE POSITION
Applications are Open September 1st - October 1st
Pacific Marine Mammal Center rescues, rehabilitates and releases marine mammals and inspires ocean stewardship through research, education, and collaboration.
As part of our mission of education, Pacific Marine Mammal Center offers a Vet Med Team Volunteer position that provides training in marine mammal medicine, rehabilitation, husbandry, necropsy and research throughout the busy season (January 2026 – August 2026).
This position is open to CURRENT PMMC ANIMAL CARE VOLUNTEERS ONLY. Applicants must be in good standing and have been in Animal Care through at least one busy season.
The Veterinary Medical Team Volunteer will work under the direct supervision of the veterinarians, veterinary assistants, and animal care staff. Vet Med Team Volunteers will participate in pinniped (and occasional cetacean) triage, physical examinations, medical treatments, assist with anesthesia, blood processing, inventory (biological samples, pharmacy, hospital supplies), and other clinic responsibilities (procedure preparation, cleaning, supply stocking, etc.) depending on the needs of the patients and medical team. In addition, volunteers may participate in live animal stranding response and necropsy, including pinnipeds (sea lions and seals), cetaceans (dolphins and whales), and marine turtles.
Applications for the 2026 veterinary medical team volunteer program (January 1st, 2026 – August 1st, 2026) are now open.
Volunteers will be scheduled one morning (8:00 am – 12:00 pm) per week during this period of time. This is an unpaid position and CANNOT interfere with your current PMMC Animal Care volunteer position.
Applications are DUE NO LATER THAN WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1st , 2025 and will be reviewed as they are submitted.
Volunteers will be notified of their acceptance into the 2026 program on or before November 1st, 2025.
We look forward to your application
Not only are we excited to share our mission but we look forward to what you will uniquely bring to marine mammal care and ocean stewardship.