Vet School students get hands-on training at zoo

Veterinary School student Lindsey Schreiber's typical day doesn't begin in a classroom. It starts in a lion's cage. Or in a bear pit. Schreiber is receiving hands-on training handling and treating snakes, llamas, elephants and alligators through a six-week Vet School internship program at the Philadelphia Zoo. "I think it is neat to work with exotic animals and not animals from a pet shop," he said. The Vet School is only eight blocks from the zoo, making it the only veterinary school in the country near a major zoo. "No other zoo and vet school relationship is so close," said Zoo Veterinarian Wilbur Amend, who also teaches classes at the University. During their internships, Vet School students have the opportunity to work with all the animals at the zoo, including dangerous and exotic species, treating them for illness or administering preventative medicine. Typical duties include making morning rounds to check up on the animals and giving them antibiotic and immunization shots. "The intership is six weeks long to allow students the opportunity to work with the bulk of the animals," said Amend. The zoo currently has approximately 500 species and a total of 1,700 animals. But working with the wide array of animals can present unique problems. "It can be frustrating because the animals are not tame and something simple performed on a dog becomes complicated on an animal like a giraffe," said Zoo Animal Health Director Keith Hinshaw. And according to Amend, no more than two students are interned at a time because of the problems the wild animals pose. "We don't have a large staff, and a one-to-one relationship is necessary," he said. "There is danger. This is not a cat-dog situation." Zoo veterinarian Keith Hinshaw said it is more difficult to diagnose illnesses in wild animals than in domesticated ones. He said animals instinctively try to hide their illnesses since a show of weakness in the wild would make them the target of predators. As a result, the veterinarians generally only learn of an animal's illness when it becomes serious. · The rotating internships continue from September to May. The interns must be fourth-year students who are interested in zoo animals or wildlife. To apply for the internships, students must submit a description of their backgrounds and goals, a transcript and letters of recommendation. The students who participate in the program are not always interested in practicing zoo medicine and do not have to aspire to become zoo veterinarians. Some students are looking for experience that will be useful when they go into private practice for themselves. Schreiber said the program has been extremely helpful. "I think it is a great opportunity to see a lot of species of animals and gain experience on exotic animals," said Schreiber, who plans to open a private practice but is interested in a variety of species. "The program reinforces that pets are animals and need to be treated with respect," he added. The zoo has provided internships for University students since 1974. This year, eight University students took part in the program. The zoo also hosts students from other schools, but the bulk of the interns are University students. Purdue University student Sondra Glitch is also taking advantage of the zoo's program. "I came here because they do have an established program so you can do more and learn more," she said. Across the country, there is an increased interest in training programs for zoo veterinarians. Eventually, many University students who participate in the program become zoo veterinarians. According to Amend, about 15 University graduates who took part in the program are working at zoos across the country. The Philadelphia Zoo only employs two veterinarians and one resident. "The interest outranks positions available," said Amend. The zoo also provides one-month summer internships for undergraduates who are pooled from across the country, and a two-year resident program for graduates from any vet school. Zoo pathologist and University graduate Vivian Pierce also provides two-week pathology internships for University students. The Philadelphia Zoo has the longest, continual pathology records in the world, according to Pierce. Veterinary pathology examines why animals die and what makes them live healthier lives. "It is the opportunity for students to see the anatomy of exotic species," said Pierce. In addition to running internships for University students, the zoo also provides courses and lectures. Both zoo veterinarians are faculty members of the University as well. Three courses -- diseases of reptiles, caged and zoo birds, and zoo animal medicine -- are taught by the adjunct faculty from the zoo each year. The zoo also provides lectures on such topics as restraint and handling of animals. In return, the zoo calls upon faculty from the Vet School to provide basic care like dentistry and pediatrics for the zoo animals. Also, according to Amend, the zoo hopes to have an extensive research relationship with the University if funds are available in the future, but added that proposed budget cuts could restrict integration between the University and the zoo. Although the opportunities for students to work with exotic animals at the nearby zoo are extensive, the Vet School's location will become even a greater asset in the near future. The New Jersey State Aquarium in Camden, which will be managed by the Philadelphia Zoo, is scheduled to open next Spring. University students will have the opportunity to work closely with aquatic life in Camden, which is only 15 minutes away. "We have in mind a teaching program there," said Amend. Currently, University students study aquatic life at a center in Massachusetts. But once the aquarium is completed, Amend says aquatic studies at the University will evolve into a larger program with a more intense curriculum. "A major zoo, aquarium and vet school so close to each other can make a program that is second to none." said Amend.

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