Organization: The National Aviary
(AZA Member)
Location: Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Job or Internship: Internship
The National Aviary is the largest indoor aviary in the country with over 800 birds, including over 200 different species. There is a strong emphasis on educational and conservation programs. The National Aviary's hospital is a leader in avian medicine. The hospital provides medical care for sick and injured birds and has a preventative medicine program to prevent common disease with vaccines and parasite control.The Veterinary Hospital Intern Program provides unique opportunities to work directly with a diversity of birds and medical conditions. Interns help the Hospital Care Keepers to provide the special housing and diets that meet the birds' intensive medical needs. They custom-make cages that improve the birds' recoveries and also assist with physical therapy, such as swimming injured waterfowl. Interns directly assist the Veterinary Technicians with daily administration of medicines, wound care, recheck examinations and medical record-keeping. Interns also participate in assisting the Veterinarian during procedures such as blood collection, x-rays, anesthesia and surgery. In this internship program there is an emphasis on teaching avian health care with daily case rounds and hands-on opportunities. All internships are unpaid; housing is not provided. Hours worked are flexible. Interns must be able to climb stairs and physically fit enough to occasionally lift and carry up to 50 lbs. If this is an opportunity that interests you please forward a resume and cover letter to Sarah Shannon, Hospital Intern Coordinator at sarah.shannon@aviary.org