Training

The development of training and educational opportunities for students and conservation project field personnel is one of the highest priorities for Gilman International Conservation. Utilizing the experienced staff and infrastructure of White Oak Conservation Center, advanced students and conservation program personnel are introduced to, and participate with, captive conservation breeding and wildlife health programs, and international species-based conservation projects. Residencies,internships, preceptorships, and summer work programs are offered.

For external links to these programs, visit our Resources page. 

Veterinary Residency Program

This program, through the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, is designed for graduate veterinarians, many of whom may already have previous experience in private practice or research. The emphasis of the program is wildlife medicine. White Oak provides hands-on veterinary experience with endangered species. The one-year residency prepares veterinarians for entry into the field of wildlife medicine.

Veterinary Technician Internship

White Oak offers a six-month internship program for veterinary technicians. During this time period, students work with staff to learn the specialty of exotic animal medicine from the perspective of a technician. This unique opportunity adequately prepares the technicians for entry-level technician positions in zoo and wildlife medicine. Click here for application information. Application deadlines are the first of October and the first of April every year.

Research Internship

White Oak Conservation Center offers short and long-term research internships. Students will focus on better understanding the reproductive biology of various species. Curriculum will be designed to complement ongoing research projects. Click here to download a WORD document with complete information.

Veterinary Student Preceptorships

Preceptorships are generally six to eight weeks in length and are offered to fourth-year veterinary students. Veterinary externs at White Oak Conservation Center are introduced to zoo medicine and given hands-on experience.

Animal Keeper Internship

White Oak Conservation Center offers an animal keeper internship opportunity for  selected graduates of the Santa Fe Community College's Zoo Animal Technology Program. The eight-month internship is designed to provide graduates with additional hands-on experience with wildlife to better prepare candidates for an animal-care career in a zoological institution.

Envirovet Summer Institute Program

The goal of the Envirovet program is to create a force of scientists with unique perspectives, knowledge, skills, and expertise required to implement an efficient approach to ecosystem repair that will enable synchronous gains in wildlife, domestic animal, public, and economic health. To meet this goal, the Envirovet Summer Institute  provides six weeks of intensive lectures, laboratory, and field experiences to veterinarians, veterinary students and wildlife biologists in the areas of terrestrial and aquatic wildlife and ecosystem health in developed and developing country contexts.

The program focuses on the trans-disciplinary, cooperative work required for effective wildlife and ecosystem health research, management, and long-term problem solving. Two and one-half weeks of these sessions are held at White Oak Conservation Center. Veterinarians and other scientists, primarily from North America, contribute expertise in ecology, wildlife biology, conservation and animal health. A range of political, economic and sociologic factors that influence ecosystem stewardship are addressed by the instructors. In addition to classroom and laboratory sessions at White Oak, students spend time on St. Catherine's Island (Midway, Georgia) applying various field techniques to the unique species and habitats on this barrier island.

Kenya Wildlife Service Veterinary Technician Training

Discussion with the senior veterinary staff at the Kenya Wildlife Service revealed that though the Kenya veterinarians are often exposed to advanced training, their veterinary technicians are not and would benefit from advanced training to bring them up to a level to provide increased support to the veterinarian. 

A pilot program has been developed whereby veterinary technicians from Kenya Wildlife Service visit White Oak Conservation Center to received advanced training with experienced veterinary technicians.

Aspects of training include:

1. designing an electronic record keeping method for samples storage and banking.
2. training in pharmacy inventory, including categorizing of drugs and conducting drug inventories.
3. microscope analysis of prepared bird blood slides.

Veterinary technicians from WOCC have also traveled to Kenya Wildlife Service to provide additional on-site training, and to collectively assess future opportunities for technician training.