Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians

My Externship at the San Francisco Zoo
By: Erin Chancey

While researching the AZVT website for an internship to complete my Veterinary Technology degree at the University of Cincinnati, I came across the San Francisco Zoo's posting for a post graduate externship. My first impression was that my qualifications would not match the ones in which the zoo's technicians were seeking. Despite my apprehension, I decided to pursue the opportunity. Little did I know how incredibly valuable this endeavor would be to my career. Seven months later, with the help of a website named "Craig's List", I found myself five blocks from the Pacific Ocean where I rented a room for five weeks in the city of San Francisco. The bus ride was about 15 minutes from the zoo but I was frequently offered rides home from my mentors at the San Francisco Zoo.

Besides possessing extraordinary professional attributes, the technicians and veterinary staff interacted dynamically as a team. Under the skillful leadership of Gail Hedberg, the San Francisco Veterinary Technicians were very excited to have me as an extern and immediately welcomed me as a part of their team.

Throughout my externship, I was given numerous opportunities to expand both my technical skills and knowledge in zoo medicine. I was thrilled when I was given the opportunity to dart a greater kudu on the second day of my externship. Subsequent to that, I was given the responsibility of darting various cat species including fishing cats, ocelots, and snow leopards for yearly vaccinations. Other memorable events included placing my first intravenous catheter in a colobus monkey, assisting with prairie dog surgery, observing a giraffe hoof trim, and helping with the annual zoo members' night tour. The externship was well balanced with lab work as well, including in-house microbiology culturing and parasitology.

Gail's expertise and her ability to share her knowledge have been integral factors in my motivation to attain a successful career in zoo veterinary technology. I would give my highest recommendation for the San Francisco zoo to any Veterinary Technician interested in a career in a zoo setting.