Rotating Veterinary Intern
Fairfax, VA · On-site
... for intern classes starting in June 2026, as well as opportunities for an off-cycle class of ... behavioral medicine, and zoological medicine. You can find our most recent VIRMP ad at Please ...
Rotating Veterinary Intern
Fairfax, VA · On-site
... for intern classes starting in June 2026, as well as opportunities for an off-cycle class of ... behavioral medicine, and zoological medicine. You can find our most recent VIRMP ad at Please ...
Rotating Veterinary Intern
Fairfax, VA · On-site
... for intern classes starting in June 2026, as well as opportunities for an off-cycle class of ... behavioral medicine, and zoological medicine. You can find our most recent VIRMP ad at Please ...
Rotating Veterinary Intern
Fairfax, VA · On-site
... for intern classes starting in June 2026, as well as opportunities for an off-cycle class of ... behavioral medicine, and zoological medicine. You can find our most recent VIRMP ad at Please ...
Animal Behavior Intern information
See Washington, DC salary details
$9.03 - $11.61
5% of jobs
$11.61 - $14.19
10% of jobs
$15.74 is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$14.19 - $16.78
16% of jobs
$16.78 - $19.36
18% of jobs
The median wage is $19.68 / hr.
$19.36 - $21.94
8% of jobs
$21.94 - $24.52
6% of jobs
$24.52 - $27.10
6% of jobs
$28.27 is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$27.10 - $29.68
11% of jobs
$29.68 - $32.26
14% of jobs
$32.26 - $34.84
3% of jobs
$34.84 - $37.42
2% of jobs
$9
$23
$37
How much do animal behavior intern jobs pay per hour?
As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal behavior intern in Washington, DC is $23.09, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.00 and $29.16 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.
What does an animal behavior intern do?
An Animal Behavior Intern assists with observing, recording, and analyzing animal behaviors in various settings such as zoos, research centers, or animal shelters. Their duties may include helping with behavioral enrichment programs, collecting data, assisting with research projects, and supporting animal care staff. This internship provides hands-on experience and helps interns learn about animal welfare, training, and research methods under the supervision of experienced professionals.
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an animal behavior intern?
To thrive as an Animal Behavior Intern, you need a background in animal science, psychology, or biology, along with basic understanding of animal behavior principles. Familiarity with data collection tools, behavioral observation software, and sometimes animal handling certifications is often required. Strong observational skills, attention to detail, and patience are essential soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for accurately assessing animal behaviors and contributing to research or care programs in professional settings.
What types of hands-on experiences can I expect as an animal behavior intern?
As an Animal Behavior Intern, you'll typically be involved in observing animal behaviors, assisting in behavioral enrichment programs, and collecting data to support ongoing research or animal care initiatives. These experiences provide valuable exposure to both the scientific and practical aspects of animal behavior in settings like zoos, research facilities, or wildlife sanctuaries. Working closely with experienced animal behaviorists and animal care staff, you'll gain insight into animal welfare practices and develop skills in behavioral observation, data analysis, and teamwork. This hands-on learning is an excellent foundation for future roles in animal care, research, or further academic study.
What is the difference between Animal Behavior Intern vs Animal Care Technician?
| Aspect | Animal Behavior Intern | Animal Care Technician |
|---|---|---|
| Required Credentials | Typically pursuing or holding a degree in animal behavior, biology, or related field | High school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require certifications in animal care |
| Work Environment | Research facilities, zoos, or animal behavior labs | Animal shelters, veterinary clinics, zoos, or pet care facilities |
| Employer & Industry Usage | Research institutions, universities, zoos | Animal shelters, veterinary clinics, pet stores |
| Common Search & Comparison Intent | Understanding entry-level roles in animal behavior research | Learning about animal care and handling roles |
The Animal Behavior Intern role focuses on studying and understanding animal behavior, often within research or academic settings, requiring relevant coursework or degrees. In contrast, the Animal Care Technician primarily handles daily animal care tasks in shelters or clinics. Both roles are entry-level but serve different industry needs and environments.
What are the most commonly searched types of Animal Behavior jobs in Washington, DC?
The most popular types of Animal Behavior jobs in Washington, DC are:
What are popular job titles related to Animal Behavior Intern jobs in Washington, DC?
For Animal Behavior Intern jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Animal Behavior Intern jobs in Washington, DC look for?
The top searched job categories for Animal Behavior Intern jobs in Washington, DC are:
Full-time
Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO
Re-posted yesterday
VCA Animal Hospitals rating
6.2
Based on 660 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz
28th of 53 rated veterinary
Job description
VCA SouthPaws Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Center currently has openings for a rotating specialty internship position for intern classes starting in June 2026, as well as opportunities for an off-cycle class of interns starting in March 2027.
We are located in Northern Virginia, just outside of Washington DC, and offer a wide variety of on-site referral specialty services along with 24-hour emergency/critical care services.
The internship program is designed to provide a broad clinical experience under the supervision of highly-skilled specialists and seasoned practitioners with a focus on emergency medicine. On-site specialty rotations include cardiology, dermatology, emergency/critical care, internal medicine, oncology, radiology, and surgery. Off-site nearby rotations include general practice, neurology, ophthalmology, and shelter medicine. Additional elective off-site rotations are often available for our interns in dentistry, holistic medicine, behavioral medicine, and zoological medicine.
You can find our most recent VIRMP ad at https://www.virmp.org/Program/Detail/18056.
Please contactVCASouthPawsInternships@gmail.comfor more detailed information about our program.
To apply, please click below to submit your CV and letter of intent.
If you are a current associate, you need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs.
Benefits: We offer competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision and paid vacation/sick days, 401(k), generous employee pet discounts and more!The information in this position description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job. Management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change (for example, emergencies, change in personnel, workload, or technical development).We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer - Veterans / Disabled. For a complete EEO statement please see our career page at vcacareers.com.What VCA Animal Hospitals employees say
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