Summer Programs

Veterinary Technology Summer Pre-College
Session 1:July 13-17, 2020
Session 2: July 20-24, 2020
On-line Course

The Veterinary Technology Summer Pre-College program invites rising junior and senior high school students to discover various aspects of the Veterinary Technology profession and the role of the veterinary technician within the larger context of veterinary medicine and animal care. During this five-day experience, students will work with faculty from the UMass Veterinary Technology Program.

Curriculum will focus on animal behavior, anatomy of domestic animal species, laboratory clinical diagnostic procedures, radiographic and other diagnostic imaging techniques, anesthesia methods and monitoring, small animal surgery, and other aspects of the practice of veterinary medicine.

We regret to inform you that in efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19, UMass Summer Programs has suspended all in-person programs for summer 2020.

Pre-Veterinary Medicine Summer Pre-College at UMass July 22- August 2, 2019

The Pre-Veterinary Medicine program is an immersion experience for high school students seeking to learn about (1) the field of veterinary medicine, (2) the steps involved in successfully completing a pre-veterinary undergraduate program and becoming a competitive candidate for applying to veterinary school, and (3) the time and financial commitments involved in choosing this career path.

Equine Science Summer Pre-College at UMass July 7 - July 20, 2019

The Equine Science program is a two-week intensive program for motivated young adults seeking to explore what it takes to succeed in the horse industry, and in doing so, challenge themselves to become better horsemen and future leaders in the equine profession.

Each day, students will join a small group of their peers for hands-on practicums and workshops at the university’s Hadley Farm Equine Center. UMass faculty, visiting equine professionals, and of course, the horses themselves will all play a role in the learning experience. The program will begin with instruction on horse behavior and safety training. Students will explore topics in equine veterinary medicine, breeds and conformation, stable and pasture management, nutritional regimes, foaling basics, and equine business concepts.

In addition, each student will adopt one of the farm’s horses for the duration of the program and work intensively with that horse on a variety of equine care, training, and management topics. Students will develop their horsemanship skills by working directly with our university trainer. Please note this is not a riding program; students will be learning systematic training techniques for young horses and horses in rehabilitation programs.

Participants will:
     Gain an understanding of the evidence-based, scientific concepts behind caring for horses.
     Recognize how the principles of equine behavior, anatomy, nutrition and reproduction are applied to the daily management of an equine facility.
     Develop their horsemanship skills through daily work with horses and the university trainer.
     Explore educational opportunities and career pathways in the equine profession.

UMass Summer Equine Practicum

Shadow Equine Veterinarian Dr. Carlos Gradil at the UMass Equine Reproduction Clinic for 2 weeks during the May 15, 2016 - July 15, 2016 time period.

The goal of the practicum (AnSci 298 Practicum, 1 credit) is to provide participants with current knowledge of assisted reproduction in the modern equine industry. We will discuss principles and mechanisms of normal and abnormal aspects of equine reproduction and current approaches to reproductive care and management. Content includes: functional anatomy, reproductive life cycles and terminology, discussion of breeding management, common causes of infertility and assisted reproductive technologies i.e., ultrasound, semen processing etc.

Students must make arrangements with Dr. Gradil for the specific 2 week time period that they would like to participate in the internship and complete a Practicum Contract with Dr. Gradil. The signed contract must be submitted at Career Services, 511 Goodell Building to register.

Shorebird Monitors Endangered Species Program for Duxbury Beach, Duxbury, Massachusetts

The purpose of this position is to assist in the protection of the listed shorebird species piping plover (Charadrius melodus) and least tern (Sternula antillarum). Collecting behavioral data on chick and brood including location and movement of listed shorebird species. Observing and recording environmental data. Monitor and collect data according to provided protocols on the following: predator tracking, avian community composition, vegetation surveys etc. Interact with the public to provide information and answer questions as necessary. Communicate beach rules and regulations to beachgoers in a polite and professional manner. Applicants should have a B.S. or B.A. in wildlife biology/management or related field or pursuing a degree in a related field. Experience in avian monitoring and/or field work in behavioral data collection, an interest to learn about Duxbury Beach management & endangered species management & protection, or any equivalent combination of education, training, & experience which provides the required knowledge, skills & abilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Monitors will be required to find their own housing. The schedule is variable May- August, 6am-1:30pm, 12:30pm –8 pm, to include weekends, holiday and evening hours. Click on link to apply.

TROPICAL DISEASE RESEARCH AND SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAM – ECUADOR SUMMER 2019

Learn more about the program at:https://www.ohio.edu/medicine/itdi/education/research.cfm or email Dr. Mario Grijalva (grijalva [at] ohio.edu)

The Infectious and Tropical Disease Institute at Ohio University invites students from other universities to participate in our summer field experience from mid-June to early July.

With student participation, we implement projects with positive health impacts in collaboration with communities in Southern Ecuador. With the goal of controlling Chagas Disease, our projects range from laboratory research to social behavioral research to building houses and participating in service projects with the communities.

Students from all backgrounds can participate and gain experience in:
       Field and laboratory research
       International research training
       Working in intercultural teams
       International development
       Understanding social development

For students looking to improve knowledge of international research, you can arrive early to take part in an International Research Training Workshop.

Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis through Feb. 15.
NON-OHIO students should start by enrolling as non-degree student at Ohio University and e-mailing program coordinator Megan Massey to facilitate the process.

Scholarships are available through the Infectious and Tropical Disease Institute.

IALS Summer Core Internship Program

There are 21 summer research internships that pay $15 an hour over 10 weeks, ~30 hours per week, in 15 UMass Amherst research core facilities. VASCI students are competitive for these paid internships, especially if you have gained research experience in UMass labs in cell culture, flow cytometry (run by VASCI’s own Dr. Amy Burnside!), and molecular approaches.

These internships offer:

* Experiential training in the use and operation of cutting-edge core
facility equipment
* A 'soft skills' training workshop
* Development of a core internship community - allowing students to
come together, connect and share their experiences.

Dairy Training

The U.S. Dairy Education & Training Consortium (formerly named Southern Great Plains Dairy Consortium) is now accepting applications to study large dairy herd management. The formal training program will be from May 16 to June 24, with extended time for internship opportunities for focused students. Undergraduate, graduate, and veterinary students with interest in large dairy herd management are encouraged to apply. Applications are due by February 16, 2019. There are additional funding opportunities for students of under-represented minority status via the Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex – Coordinated Agriculture Project. Annie Le with hawk at Tufts Wildlife Clinic

For additional information, please contact
U.S. Dairy Education & Training Consortium, 2471 TAMU,
College Station, TX 77843-2471
Phone: 979.845.5709; Email: usdetc [at] tamu.edu

Vet Schools offer Summer Programs

Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine is offering a Summer Undergrad Volunteer Opportunity in their Wildlife Clinic.

Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in North Grafton, Massachusetts offers a week-long Adventures in Veterinary Medicine College Program as an introduction for students interested in pursuing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. This exciting and intensive program provides an opportunity to learn more about veterinary medicine, surrounded by others who share a passion for animals, health, and science. Click here to learn more.

Michigan State University offers an Enrichment Summer Program providing academic training and career knowledge for undergraduate students interested in veterinary medicine. The program focuses on developing well-qualified prospective students.

Qualified students must

Be educationally, economically, and/or culturally disadvantaged
Hold a cumulative college grade point average of 2.7 or higher
Be a citizen, national, or a lawful permanent resident of the United States or its territories
Complete an online application from the website—Opens 12/1/2015
Submit two letters of recommendation.
Submit all college transcripts.
International Applicants: Applicants indicating non-U.S. citizen status must provide permanent resident alien registration.
ESP III Applicants may submit a copy of their VMCAS in lieu of the online application form.
All materials must be postmarked by March 1, 2019. The acceptance process is a rolling selection procedure. Applicants will be reviewed as completed applications are received. Only completed applicant files (application, two letters of recommendation, and transcripts) are reviewed for placement.

The programmatic activities and components include preparing for standardized admissions test (GRE); reviewing prerequisite basic sciences and previewing the professional doctorate of veterinary medicine curriculum – anatomy, histology, and radiology; learning and study strategy enhancement; gaining professional veterinary clinical experience; and building a knowledge base about the husbandry and management of various animal species including food and fiber animals. All participants are housed in campus residence facilities and receive a partial travel allowance (50%), as well as a stipend to partially defray housing and meal expenses.

Click here to learn more.

The Veterinary School at the University of Pennsylvania will again offer a summer program for both college and high school students (11th and 12th graders). The Veterinary Exploration Through Science (VETS) program is an exciting experience held during the summer. This is a day program of one week sessions. Two sessions have been designed specifically for college students and two sessions have been designed for high school students. The program has been created for those who are interested in the science of veterinary medicine. Students will participate in two rotations with our fourth-year vet students and experience veterinary medicine throughout our small animal hospital. Special labs in Pathology, Microbiology and Anatomy have been created specifically for the students participating in our program which will be taught by our renowned faculty or veterinary students. Click here to learn more.