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Volunteering is a great way to get experience and express your love of animals. It can lead to a new career. You can use internships and externships to test whether you might like pursuing a new career.

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I've listed several links to help you learn about opportunities. This is not an endorsement of those programs--do your due diligence.

 

You can also approach organizations not listed here and propose a position--don't limit yourself to specific programs you read abut. Most of you will be looking at volunteer experiences that are hands-on with animals. But, there are other ways to volunteer, for example, by joining the boards and junior boards of animal rescues and other pet-helping places. Basically, if you can think of a way to contribute, non-profits will be delighted to offer you the opportunity.

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I will be adding resources to this page to walk you through asking for an internship.

 

Remember, learning what you don't like is as important as learning what you do like.

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Sample Links

Petfinder's "Volunteering With Dogs" (info about photography, prison dog training programs and more)

PennVet (University of Pennsylvania), the Working Dog Center includes internships and gap year programs

The Hare Research Group, Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University

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Explore sites, think about what you really want and write a cover letter and resume, that reflect your passion as well as what you offer. You can do this even if you don't have experience! I'll show you how.