volunteer at upenn

Veterinary Science Graduate Programs from U. of I.
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WildlifeSaver

WildlifeSaver

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Does anyone know about the volunteer program at penn? I live close to Philadelphia and could easily take public transportation or driver etc. Has anyone done any work there as a volunteer? How hard do you think it would be to get in there? I know some volunteering things take forever to get into. Like NJ Adventure aquarium....

any thoughts appreciated 🙂
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The New Bolton Center always needs volunteers to be foal sitters (during foaling season) They pretty much take anyone who is willing and at least 16 years old. They do a fantastic job at getting everyone on the schedule. I know the February schedule is full, but they are just starting the process to fill March.

If you are interested, email: [email protected]


I think there is also a program at UPenn to volunteer in the hosptial, but I don't have any info about that. I think that is a matter of emailing an application - but the website should have info about that!

Best of luck.
 
You can also volunteer at the MJ Ryan Veterinary Hospital in Emergency Services. The work isn't that great in that all you do is restock and fold laundry mostly but you get amazing exposure to the goings on in a busy emergency room. Highly recommend for someone with little experience.
 
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lolaloca said:
You can also volunteer at the MJ Ryan Veterinary Hospital in Emergency Services. The work isn't that great in that all you do is restock and fold laundry mostly but you get amazing exposure to the goings on in a busy emergency room. Highly recommend for someone with little experience.
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I checked into the website and it seems like they are very strict on what you can or cannot do. I would maybe be better off doing my volunteer thing somewhere else where you can move up. I still want to do it for a while though for the exposure and maybe they let you shadow??
 
kayakman28 said:
The New Bolton Center always needs volunteers to be foal sitters (during foaling season) They pretty much take anyone who is willing and at least 16 years old. They do a fantastic job at getting everyone on the schedule. I know the February schedule is full, but they are just starting the process to fill March.

If you are interested, email: [email protected]


I think there is also a program at UPenn to volunteer in the hosptial, but I don't have any info about that. I think that is a matter of emailing an application - but the website should have info about that!

Best of luck.
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That also sounds like it would be different and perhaps exciting.
 
ehh. I just mapquested the bolton center. It would take 1 hr and 5 mins.
 
WildlifeSaver said:
ehh. I just mapquested the bolton center. It would take 1 hr and 5 mins.
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It takes me about 1hr 40min.....

It is also about the only place I know of to get large animal experience in the area...

It's your call though.
 
That's not such a bad commute! I go around 1hr to work each day (plus or minus another, depending on the time I leave work and how traffic is.) You get used to it pretty fast.
 
kayakman28 said:
It takes me about 1hr 40min.....

It is also about the only place I know of to get large animal experience in the area...

It's your call though.
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I guess it could be worth it then if that is one of the few place for large animal in the area and just a great experience all in all. I live in the camden county area (Haddon twp.) That is far for you! Your just volunteering?
 
I think I will give them a call this week to see if anything will be available.
 
Pandacinny said:
That's not such a bad commute! I go around 1hr to work each day (plus or minus another, depending on the time I leave work and how traffic is.) You get used to it pretty fast.
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I drive about a half hour to school and 45 just to cvs pharmacy (pharm tech). I need to transfer...
 
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kayakman28 said:
It takes me about 1hr 40min.....

It is also about the only place I know of to get large animal experience in the area...

It's your call though.
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Sorry to hijack...but I was thinking of getting production/livestock/farm animal exp in the Philly area....New Bolton the only place?
 
robeezy08 said:
Sorry to hijack...but I was thinking of getting production/livestock/farm animal exp in the Philly area....New Bolton the only place?
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hmm i am sure there has to be something else out there really. Just travel to get it. I know last summer when I was looking to get a vet job or volunteer, I talked to a vet on the phone that had his own practice and was looking for help with horses. This was in my area too. Lost the phone number though...
 
Are you in South Jersey? If so, you can try the Tri State Bird (and Wildlife) Rescue in Delaware. Its a really great place, and you actually work with the vets there if you take the first year elective at UPenn. Its about an hour from where I'm at, but if you are interested in wildlife, it would probably pay for itself.

and maybe even do something at the Philly zoo. I know a lot of my classmates did that as well, especially if you are wildlife focused.

Good luck!
 
spikey said:
Are you in South Jersey? If so, you can try the Tri State Bird (and Wildlife) Rescue in Delaware. Its a really great place, and you actually work with the vets there if you take the first year elective at UPenn. Its about an hour from where I'm at, but if you are interested in wildlife, it would probably pay for itself.

and maybe even do something at the Philly zoo. I know a lot of my classmates did that as well, especially if you are wildlife focused.

Good luck!
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I have been on and off at the woodford cedar run wildlife refuge for years. sadly to say but that did not yield ANY experience around a vet. I just got into a aquarium which is good and thought about the Philly zoo before. I think I am ok with animal experience for now and defiantly need to be around vets for sure. I heard a little bit about the state bird rescue in delaware. Yes I do live in south Jersey. It takes me 15-20 mins to get to philly. Live in the cherry hill/haddonfield/haddon twp area if you know where that is. And thanks for your suggestion!
 
I was talking with the nurses at NBC yesterday and they had mentioned the Garden State Equine Hospital....not sure where it is in NJ.

I, too, am from south Jersey (about 20minutes from AC)...so I'm not really close to anything. Driving up to NBC is really my only option...but I'm sure there is something else out there.
 
kayakman28 said:
I was talking with the nurses at NBC yesterday and they had mentioned the Garden State Equine Hospital....not sure where it is in NJ.

I, too, am from south Jersey (about 20minutes from AC)...so I'm not really close to anything. Driving up to NBC is really my only option...but I'm sure there is something else out there.
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I have not clue where the garden state equine hospital is. Never heard of it either. I used to be in the southampton area in NJ kind of. Lots of farm stuff there. I could take a walk and walk up to peoples horse fences and pet the horses. I know there has to be vets in the area that go out to these peoples homes. Just has to. Anyway we can google it🙂
 
kayakman28 said:
I was talking with the nurses at NBC yesterday and they had mentioned the Garden State Equine Hospital....not sure where it is in NJ.

I, too, am from south Jersey (about 20minutes from AC)...so I'm not really close to anything. Driving up to NBC is really my only option...but I'm sure there is something else out there.
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how far is Midatlantic from you? i've heard wonderful things about that place.
 
Mid Atlantic doesn't take volunteers for liability reasons and I tried to get a job there for 3 years before I finally gave up. They are supposed to be amazing, though. And perhaps they'd let you just observe, I don't think I ever really talked to anyone with that angle in mind (though I highly doubt it).

ETA: I don't know NJ that well so this may be farther from you than New Bolton, Wildlife, but http://www.njequine.com takes volunteers.
 
Hey, I acctually did do the volunteer programat MJR hospital. While it was a good chance to learn a lot of things, you really do not get much in the way of hands on experience. Wished I would have done stuff at new bolton, but there was no way for me to make it out there. Best of luck to you, and I think that any experience is good experience so long as you are learning!
 
hanakanapuna said:
Hey, I acctually did do the volunteer programat MJR hospital. While it was a good chance to learn a lot of things, you really do not get much in the way of hands on experience. Wished I would have done stuff at new bolton, but there was no way for me to make it out there. Best of luck to you, and I think that any experience is good experience so long as you are learning!
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Yeah, I hear ya. I am not expecting the best hands on experience. I think its a good thing to see what happens in a emergency place though. Perhaps I could ask to shadow sometime??
 
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hanaka, one thing I just realized about the place is that you get rabies vaccinated. I always wanted this, but could not get it because it cost $600-$800 dollars. That would allow me to expand my experiences at the wildlife rahab in NJ. Not that many people have it, so I could be doing ALOT of things that I never got to do before.🙂
 
hey, they do give out the rabies vaccine...but because of the shortage I do not know if they still are. I wouldn't trade my experiences for anything. I really did get to see some really interesting stuff.
 
I guess I wait and see what happens with the vaccination situation. Patty the volunteer coordinator for the New Bolton Center just contacted me to tell me foal sitting is full and is the only program. Just spring, That really sucks.
 
EqSci said:
Mid Atlantic doesn't take volunteers for liability reasons and I tried to get a job there for 3 years before I finally gave up. They are supposed to be amazing, though. And perhaps they'd let you just observe, I don't think I ever really talked to anyone with that angle in mind (though I highly doubt it).

ETA: I don't know NJ that well so this may be farther from you than New Bolton, Wildlife, but http://www.njequine.com takes volunteers.
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ah, thanks for clearing that up. nvm then :/
 
WildlifeSaver said:
I have been on and off at the woodford cedar run wildlife refuge for years. sadly to say but that did not yield ANY experience around a vet. I just got into a aquarium which is good and thought about the Philly zoo before. I think I am ok with animal experience for now and defiantly need to be around vets for sure. I heard a little bit about the state bird rescue in delaware. Yes I do live in south Jersey. It takes me 15-20 mins to get to philly. Live in the cherry hill/haddonfield/haddon twp area if you know where that is. And thanks for your suggestion!
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Yup, know where that is. I'm from the Glassboro area. You could always find a vet in the area by you that also sees exotics or any wildlife clients bring in besides dogs and cats. Good luck!
 
spikey said:
Yup, know where that is. I'm from the Glassboro area. You could always find a vet in the area by you that also sees exotics or any wildlife clients bring in besides dogs and cats. Good luck!
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I remember last year I was calling around vet clinics and I was overwhelmed by a few places especially the ones where they ask you "so what areas do you want to volunteer in and I was just like hmm umm." haha, I do want a lot of wildlife/exotics, but I want to experince other parts. The phone book is a great tool. I will be twicking to find the right spots to volenteer to I get it right. A vet assistent job might be harder to get. Do you think shadowing is the best?
 
I signed up to foalsit at NBC last year, but there were never any foals for the shifts I was signed up for. If I lived closer/wasn't in high school I would have signed up for the nightime ones because I heard those are busier, but for the 6+ times I called for my afternoon shift (you call before you drive out to see if they need volunteers), they only said yes once... and after I drove an hour to get there the foal was out of the NICU.
 
WildlifeSaver said:
I remember last year I was calling around vet clinics and I was overwhelmed by a few places especially the ones where they ask you "so what areas do you want to volunteer in and I was just like hmm umm." haha, I do want a lot of wildlife/exotics, but I want to experince other parts. The phone book is a great tool. I will be twicking to find the right spots to volenteer to I get it right. A vet assistent job might be harder to get. Do you think shadowing is the best?
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Just jump in there! You never know what you'll like until you try it.

I began shadowing, and was then offered a job, but I started low and worked my way up. If you have no experience whatsoever, shadow first or get hired as kennel. You'll be surprised how much you can learn in both positions, speaking from experience. You just need to be a go-getter, and there will be someone who wants to teach you.

Whatever you can do to see what veterinarians do is best. Shadow several vets - I'm still doing that. Get in where you can, and opportunities will present themselves. You can call up some place to ask if they take shadowers or if they are hiring, but then go be a face to them. Explain what you are doing and a lot of vets are eager to help.

Good luck!
 
spikey said:
Just jump in there! You never know what you'll like until you try it.

I began shadowing, and was then offered a job, but I started low and worked my way up. If you have no experience whatsoever, shadow first or get hired as kennel. You'll be surprised how much you can learn in both positions, speaking from experience. You just need to be a go-getter, and there will be someone who wants to teach you.

Whatever you can do to see what veterinarians do is best. Shadow several vets - I'm still doing that. Get in where you can, and opportunities will present themselves. You can call up some place to ask if they take shadowers or if they are hiring, but then go be a face to them. Explain what you are doing and a lot of vets are eager to help.

Good luck!
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The New Bolton Center wants me now!!! Going there Sunday or Sat to talk to one of the nurses!!😀 I am going to try and talk to the wildlife-marine vet at the aquarium when I get started on my thing! I am also going to do a practice around here sometime when I get everything else figured out with work and blah blah. I am going to be busy especially since I am doing the wildlife place.

I agree, I have to be very willing and eager to learn and I am sure some vets will be happy to help me out b/c they knew what it was like at one time. Thanks!🙂🙂
 
CurrySpice said:
I signed up to foalsit at NBC last year, but there were never any foals for the shifts I was signed up for. If I lived closer/wasn't in high school I would have signed up for the nightime ones because I heard those are busier, but for the 6+ times I called for my afternoon shift (you call before you drive out to see if they need volunteers), they only said yes once... and after I drove an hour to get there the foal was out of the NICU.
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The night time one might be more interesting.
 
WildlifeSaver said:
The New Bolton Center wants me now!!! Going there Sunday or Sat to talk to one of the nurses!!😀 I am going to try and talk to the wildlife-marine vet at the aquarium when I get started on my thing!
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Congrats!! You'll get some great experience up there!

Which aquarium? and what thing are you going to get started on?
 
kayakman28 said:
Congrats!! You'll get some great experience up there!

Which aquarium? and what thing are you going to get started on?
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Adventure Aquarium in Camden NJ!! I am in the same unit floor as the vet too. So I am going to drop by a lot and get days to shadow I hope after I talk and meet him. Sharks!! fish!! hippos!! penguins!! birds!! turtles!! yayyy!!

I am doing the fish and inverts department for my vol position (its the same thing as almost any internship for fish and inverts-manage quality of water, feedings, cleanings, special projects, exhibit setups, charting of behavior etc..) I really wanted to be there. I called almost every month for over a year. usually only qualified people get it with a stack of applicats of 1,000 or more I am told. They have different oppertunities in other areas and I am sure some easier to get into like guest people, but not husbandary/water quality lab. I just had orientation, so I should be getting a call soon about them finalizing the sch.

I am happy to get to the NBC too. I hope I don't screw up and get lost forever finding the place.
 
I'm at the aquarium too!! We'll have to find each other. Don is great - extremely friendly and helpful. Cynthia is awesome as well. Although I think Don is still in South Africa doing something vet related!

I'm one of the SCUBA divers, so I get to be IN the tanks with all the fish, sharks, rays, and turtles!! It is fantastic!

But I suppose I'll stop hijacking this thread and let it get back to Penn volunteering at NBC!
 
kayakman28 said:
I'm at the aquarium too!! We'll have to find each other. Don is great - extremely friendly and helpful. Cynthia is awesome as well. Although I think Don is still in South Africa doing something vet related!

I'm one of the SCUBA divers, so I get to be IN the tanks with all the fish, sharks, rays, and turtles!! It is fantastic!

But I suppose I'll stop hijacking this thread and let it get back to Penn volunteering at NBC!
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Your at the one in Camden???? hahah noo wayy. btw I am saving money for PADI in my area b/c I want to do the diving thing!! Trying to do the training in the summer. maybe I will see you..How long have you been doing it?
 
thats awesome, guys! enjoy!
 
Eh. On Sunday I was suppose to go to the NBC and when I called the nurse was not there. I wrote her a email asking what happened to our plans and she told me some sad news that her dog was hit by a truck. That is so sad and I know how she feels. I lost my first pet that I had since I was a kid into my HS years from a road outside my house. I just wrote her a email telling her that I sympathize.
 
Haha, I am in the South Jersey area too. I didn't realize there were so many people on here from the area. We should try to organize some kind of get-together (in between everyone volunteering/working/going to school). I did an internship at the Philly Zoo, and it was a really awesome opportunity. You don't get paid the first year... I think it's a minimum of three days a week of volunteering, and you have to work at least one weekend day. I did the education ambassador internship, where you play with a lot of reptiles and such. You stand at a station of the zoo and talk about the animals there. If you are super ambitious, there are many opportunities there to observe the vet staff and do other cool things. The more years you go, the better the opportunities, and you can start getting paid.

That's all the info I have on that... but the aquarium and New Bolton stuff looks really awesome too! Good luck to you all. PM me if you think any of you would be interested in a veterinary get-together sometime 🙂
 
I saw the NBC tonight. WOW the DRIVEEEE.... Oh well. I think it is good experience anyway. March is full but you can be on the fall back list if anything happens to a reg shift person.
 
I've done Foal Watch at a different hospital and it is amazing - I absolutely love it. I learned SO much, it was a great experience.
 
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