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Vet Med Teaching Hospital

Residency Programs

Residency in Zoological Medicine with rotations at UC Davis, San Diego Zoo, San Diego Wild Animal Park, Sacramento Zoo and SeaWorld

The Residency in Zoological Medicine is a 3-year program that will enable the resident to become a competent zoo/wild animal park veterinarian and provide the necessary requirements to allow the resident to become certified in the American College of Zoological Medicine. This is a multi-site residency with the first year of the program based at UC Davis/Sacramento Zoo, the second year at the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld, and the third year at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. This zoological residency offers a unique opportunity to obtain a wide array of experiences in Zoological Medicine because of the extensive non-domestic species resources available at the University of California, including: (1) Outstanding zoological and marine animal parks within the state of California, each with a number of experienced veterinarians, (2) Local zoological parks near UC Davis and ACZM-boarded faculty members with experience in captive wildlife, (3) Companion Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine Service at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) that includes 2 faculty members (one of whom is dual boarded in Avian Medicine AVBP and ACZM) and 3 residents, (4) California Regional Primate Research Center with experienced veterinarians, (5) Laboratory animal facilities and experienced lab animal veterinarians, (6) Raptor rehabilitation center, (7) Free-ranging wildlife facility and faculty who specialize in free-ranging wildlife, and (8) An active zoological species pathology program.

The Zoological Society of San Diego maintains world class collections of non-domestic species at the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Together, these facilities provide access to over 1000 species and 7000 specimens and a unique collection of hoofed stock, along with 12 clinicians including 6 diplomates of ACZM to act as mentors. Complementing the Zoological Medicine program at ZSSD is the Zoological Pathology program with 3 diplomates of the ACVP. SeaWorld (also in San Diego) has a large collection of birds, fish and marine mammals, overseen by 4 veterinarians including one ACZM Diplomate and one ACVP diplomat. The first year of basic training and didactic teaching at UC Davis and the Sacramento Zoo will prepare the resident for the rigors of working at the facilities in San Diego.

Resident must obtain a valid California drivers license, and will be subject to the Employer Pull Notification program for monitoring driving records.

Objectives

• Provide a non-degree post-DVM training program with an emphasis on comparative clinical medicine of captive zoological species, qualifying the resident to sit for board certification with the American College of Zoological Medicine.
• Provide the resident with an opportunity to work on special clinical research projects dealing with non-domestic animals, leading to a published scientific paper.
• Provide the resident with experience in the clinical teaching of veterinary students.

Duration and Sites

• The program will be three years in duration. The first year is at UC Davis and Northern California sites, the second and third years are based in San Diego. Satisfactory performance in the first year is required for advancement to the second year. Satisfactory performance in the second year is required for advancement to the third year.
• Evaluation: The resident will receive written evaluations every 6 months. Failure to perform satisfactorily may result in dismissal.
  

First Year at UC Davis

The resident will spend 80% of the time in gaining clinical experience under the direction of senior staff, with the remaining time used for undertaking a clinical research project, teaching in labs, attending selected classes, and preparing for boards. Primary rotations will be at the Sacramento Zoo and in the VMTH. The resident will participate in the avian and exotic pet clinics, in ambulatory calls to zoos, will handle non-domestic animal cases referred to the VMTH, and will provide clinical care for animals at the Sacramento Zoo and admitted to the Zoo Med Service at the VMTH. Outside rotations at other sites including the Marine Mammal Center will also be arranged.

Responsibilities and Activities (see Table 1):

• Under the supervision of faculty, the residents will receive, diagnose, hospitalize and treat Zoo Med Referral cases at the VMTH, and teach fourth year veterinary students participating in clinical rotations. A significant portion of time will be spent providing clinical services at the Sacramento Zoo.
  
  
• Under the supervision of faculty, the resident will participate in seeing patients with Companion Avian/Exotic Pet Medicine Service at the VMTH. (4 weeks) See Table 4 for list of rotations.
  
  
• Participation in formal daily and weekly case rounds, discussing cases in the VMTH with senior staff, fellow residents, and veterinary students. In addition, the resident will be involved in avian and zoo journal clubs and radiology rounds.
  
  
• Out-of-hours emergency duty (evenings, weekends, and holidays) will be required.
  
  
• Participation in didactic course work and teaching laboratories for veterinary students.
  
  
• Rotations with the UC Raptor Center, UC Primate Center, and Fish Medicine Service.
  
  
• External rotations at the Marine Mammal Center and possibly other sites.
  
  
• The VMTH is committed to building strong relationships with its constituents. A major part of the resident's duties, therefore, includes timely communication with referring veterinarians and clients.

In addition to clinical instruction and casework, the resident may be able to selectively participate in the course work offered to Zoological Medicine track students, including, but not limited to:

Medicine and Surgery of Companion Avian Species
Captive Wildlife Medicine
Primate Medicine
Introductory Lab Animal Medicine
Diseases of Free-Ranging Wildlife
Non-domestic Pet Medicine
Comparative Form and Function
Comparative Pathology of Vertebrates

Miscellaneous Requirements

• Inasmuch as restraint, handling, immobilization, and anesthesia are important to non-domestic animal medicine, the resident will be required to be highly proficient in carrying out these techniques. By practice and study, they will be expected to understand the anatomy, physiology and philosophy of restraint, (both physical and chemical) drugs and dosages for various species, the laws applicable to the use of narcotics, and different remote delivery systems.
• Presentation of a prospective research project at the VMTH Annual House Officer Seminar Day and a presentation at the national meeting of the AAZV is mandatory in the third year. Selecting a clinical research project, and gaining an understanding of statistics and scientific writing will be undertaken in the first year. Research projects may be completed in San Diego.
• Due to the multiple sites involved in the residency, the resident must have reliable transportation.
• The resident will be encouraged to become a member of and participate in the activities of professional organizations dealing with non-domestic animal medicine.
  • American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
    
  • Wildlife Disease Association
    
  • International Association of Aquatic Animal Medicine
    
  • Association of Avian Veterinarians
    
  • Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians
    

Years 2 and 3 at San Diego (The San Diego Zoo and San Diego Wild Animal Park)

The resident will spend 80% of the workweek with clinical duties working under the direction and guidance of the veterinary staff at the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Wild Animal Park. The remainder of the workweek will be spent with the research project, follow-up investigations, preparing for boards, and other non-clinical activities.

Responsibilities and Activities (see Table 2)

• Under the supervision of the veterinary staffs of the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Wild Animal Park, the resident will participate in all aspects of veterinary care of the animal collections. These activities will include routine preventive medicine procedures such as preshipment, annual, and quarantine examinations as well as case management of sick and injured animals and flock and herd health management.
  
  
• Under the supervision of and assistance from the veterinary staff, the resident will have responsibility for helping to manage emergency and after-hours ICU care.
  
  
• The resident will be responsible for performing epidemiological investigations of disease occurrences as needed by working closely with and using resources from the pathology and animal care departments.
  
  
• The resident will participate in daily and weekly case rounds discussions and will aid in the preparation of monthly morbidity and mortality meetings with animal care staffs.
  
  
• The resident will actively participate in the UCD Journal Club and UCD Zoological Pathology rounds via telecommunications or other method between San Diego and UC Davis.
  
  
• The resident will be responsible for selecting a research project with input from the veterinary staff. This project will be completed in time for inclusion in the AAZV annual meeting during the resident's third year.
  
  
• The resident will have some opportunities and responsibilities for participation in veterinary aspects of the ZSSDs conservation programs (e.g. California condor, San Clemente Island loggerhead shrike, and Hawaiian forest birds).
  
  
• Because of the nature of zoological parks, it is essential that the resident be service oriented to the needs of the animal collection and its curators and managers.
  

Year 2 at SeaWorld

Depending on level of interest the resident will spend approximately 3 months with clinical duties working under the direction and guidance of the veterinary staff at SeaWorld. The resident will spend 80% of the work week with clinical duties and remainder of the work week will be spent with the research project, follow-up investigations, preparing for boards, and other non-clinical activities.

Responsibilities and Activities (see Table 3)

• Under the supervision of the SeaWorld veterinary staff, the resident will participate in all aspects of veterinary care of the animal collections. These activities will include routine preventive medicine procedures such as scheduled routine physical examination, quarantine examinations, and case management of sick and injured resident and wild stranded marine animals.
  
  
• The resident will be responsible for performing epidemiological investigations of disease occurrences as needed by working closely with and using resources from the pathology and animal care departments.
  
  
• The resident will participate in daily case rounds discussions and will aid in the preparation of monthly morbidity and mortality meetings with animal care staffs.
  
  
• The resident will participate in daily case rounds discussions and will aid in the preparation of monthly morbidity and mortality meetings with animal care staffs.
  
  
• Because of the nature of SeaWorld it is essential that the resident be service oriented to the needs of the animal collection and its curators and managers.

Mentors
The program is an ACZM approved residency.
The following ACZM Diplomats are involved in the residency-training program:

• UC Davis - Ray Wack, Kirsten Gilardi, Lisa Tell
  
• SDZ -Tracy Clippinger, Geoff Pye, Meg Sutherland-Smith, Pat Morris
  
• SDWAP - Jack Allen, Don Janssen, Nadine Lamberski
  
• Sea World - Tom Reidarson

Application Procedures and General Information

Selection will be made in accordance with the guidelines of the Veterinary Internship/Residency Matching Program. For application procedures, salary and benefits, and other information about the residency program, please see General Information on the VMTH web site.

The University of California, Davis, and the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital are interested in candidates who are committed to the highest standards of scholarship and professional activities, and to the development of a campus climate that supports equality and diversity.

ALL RESIDENTS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO OBTAIN A CALIFORNIA LICENSE WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE RESIDENCY IN ORDER TO WRITE PRESCRIPTIONS.

RESIDENTS MUST BE ABLE TO ARRIVE AT THE HOSPITAL WITHIN 15 MINUTES OF AN EMERGENCY CALL, THEREFORE, RESIDENTS MUST PLAN TO LIVE WITHIN 15 MILES OF THE HOSPITAL. RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION IS REQUIRED.

Residents must obtain a valid California drivers license and will be subject to the Employer Pull Notification program for monitoring driving records.

2011 Open House:

An Open House is being held at the institutions which collaborate to offer the Zoological Medicine Residency at the University of California, Davis. These open houses are not interviews and are for the applicants to see the facilities and ask questions about the residency program. Applicants are responsible for their own transportation and housing costs during the open house. Applicants must contact the facilities prior to the open house if they are interested in participating (rfwack@ucdavis.edu)

CANCELLED - Oct, 31 2011 - UC Davis / Sacramento Zoo
Ray Wack, DVM
Tel 916-808-8808

Nov. 1, 2011 - San Diego Zoo
Donna Vader
Tel (619)-557-3932
Fax (619)-230-1256

Nov. 2, 2011 - San Diego Safari Park
Valerie Stoddard
Tel (760)-291-5400
Fax (760)-747-3168

Nov. 7, 2011 - UC Davis / Sacramento Zoo
Ray Wack, DVM
Tel 916-808-8808

Nov. 8, 2011 - San Diego Zoo
Donna Vader
Tel (619)-557-3932
Fax (619)-230-1256

Nov. 9, 2011 - San Diego Safari Park
Valerie Stoddard
Tel (760)-291-5400
Fax (760)-747-3168

Table 1

Training in Northern California during year 1 of Zoo Med residency

Techniques in anesthesia of non-domestics, including use of narcotics and training in safe and accurate use of darts as a delivery system

Consulting on and handling patients at local zoos. Placement of catheters. Become familiar with use of crates, nets, squeezes, gloves, drop-floor chutes, etc.

Handling, diagnosing and managing patients seen on the Companion Avian and Pet Exotic Service. Techniques such as endoscopy and intubation will be learned.

Access to syllabi and coursework for avian and exotic pets and other zoologic species.

Exposure to the use of pathology and clinical pathology (CBC's, cytology, clinical chemistry) in diagnosing problems in non-domestic animals.

Training in small animal emergency medicine and critical care including fluid therapy.

Fish handling techniques and water quality.

Primate handling, through a rotation at the Primate Center.

A rotation in the equine neonatal unit to provide training in modern neonatal management techniques.

A rotation in food animal medicine and surgery to gain experience with ill calves (fluid therapy) and common ruminant surgical procedures.

A rotation at the Marine Mammal Center.

Training in use of the computer for the medical record, library literature searches, word processing, email, and internet access.

Rotations in small animal and large animal anesthesia.

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Table 2

Training at ZSSD (San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park) during years 2 and 3

Zoo medicine practice in a large, diverse, and dynamic collection

Preventive medicine programs of the ZSSD.

Herd, flock, and group medicine techniques in a zoological setting.

Ungulate medicine in semi free-ranging conditions at the Wild Animal Park.

Medical management of several animal groups particularly well represented in the ZSSD collections (e.g. Primates, great apes, hoofstock, marsupials, reptiles and amphibians, avian, particularly lorikeets, hornbills, storks, and passerines).

Blood sampling sites and techniques for major taxonomic groups.

Ultrasound and other imaging techniques.

Dentistry techniques of zoo animals (including endodontics and exposure to 'super' dentistry via dental consultants).

Pediatric medicine (avian incubation, hatching, hand-rearing, and mammal hand-rearing).

Regulatory medicine including international primate quarantine, PEQ hoofstock quarantine, DEA scheduled drug requirements, USDA import/export, USDA-APHIS-AC (Animal Welfare Act enforcement, etc).

Emergency and intensive care, trauma medicine, medication strategies, and wound management techniques.

Special manual restraint applications, behavioral modification, and remote drug-delivery techniques.

Training in zoo animal pathology and rotation through that service.

Training in zoo animal and comparative nutrition through contact with the ZSSD Nutrition program.

Exposure to Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species (CRES) scientists in the disciplines of ecology, reproductive physiology, endocrinology, infectious diseases, genetics, molecular diagnostics, and behavior.

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Table 3

Training at SeaWorld during years 2 or 3

Marine animal and avian medicine practice in a large, diverse, and dynamic collection.

Preventive medicine programs of SeaWorld San Diego (SWSD).

Medical management of stranded or beached marine animals (including common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, occasional whale, numerous pinnipeds, sea turtles, and pelicans).

Medical management of several animal groups particularly well represented in the SeaWorld collections (e.g. cetaceans, pinnipeds, manatees, elasmobranchs, penguins, alcids, many waterfowl species, raptors, and psittacines).

Blood sampling sites and techniques for major taxonomic groups.

Training in avian laparoscopy for sex determination and diagnostic techniques.

Marine animal ultrasound, endoscopy and radiography.

Dentistry techniques like extraction of whale and walrus teeth.

Pediatric medicine (avian incubation, hatching, hand-rearing, and beached pinniped hand-rearing).

Regulatory medicine including signing health certificates (Animal Welfare Act enforcement like occasionally talking with the APHIS inspector), etc.

Emergency and intensive care, trauma medicine, medication strategies, and wound management techniques.

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Table 4

Zoo Med Resident First Year Rotations
(Selection of rotations will be done according to interest of resident, # rotations are required)

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