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Veterinary Internship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Veterinary Internship information

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$10

$17

$23

How much do veterinary internship jobs pay per hour?

As of May 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for veterinary internship in the United States is $17.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.14 and $18.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Veterinary Intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Veterinary Intern, you need a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, foundational clinical knowledge, and practical animal care skills. Experience with diagnostic tools, laboratory equipment, and veterinary management software is typically expected. Strong communication, attention to detail, and the ability to work well under supervision are vital soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure effective patient care, support learning and professional growth, and contribute to successful collaboration within veterinary teams.

What types of hands-on experience can I expect during a veterinary internship, and how is mentorship typically structured?

During a veterinary internship, you can expect a significant amount of hands-on experience with clinical cases, including patient exams, surgeries, diagnostics, and emergency care. Most programs pair interns with experienced veterinarians who provide close mentorship, feedback, and guidance through daily rounds, case discussions, and direct supervision. Interns often rotate through different specialties, such as surgery, internal medicine, and anesthesia, allowing a well-rounded exposure to various aspects of veterinary medicine. This structure not only builds clinical competence but also helps interns develop critical decision-making and communication skills essential for future career advancement.

What is a veterinary internship?

A veterinary internship is a one-year, structured postgraduate training program designed for recent veterinary graduates. It provides hands-on clinical experience under the supervision of experienced veterinarians, allowing interns to further develop their medical and surgical skills. Internships are often completed at veterinary hospitals, clinics, or universities and may focus on general or specialized areas of veterinary medicine. Completing an internship can improve job prospects and is often a prerequisite for residency programs in veterinary specialties.

What is the difference between Veterinary Internship vs Veterinary Technician?

AspectVeterinary InternshipVeterinary Technician
Required CredentialsTypically pre-veterinary students or recent graduates; no formal certification requiredLicensed or certified; usually requires an associate degree in veterinary technology
Work EnvironmentPrimarily educational; shadowing veterinarians in clinics, hospitals, or research settingsHands-on clinical work assisting veterinarians with patient care in veterinary clinics or hospitals
Employer & Industry UsageVeterinary schools, clinics, research facilities for training purposesVeterinary clinics, hospitals, animal shelters for patient care and support

Veterinary internships are primarily educational opportunities for students aiming to become veterinarians, focusing on observation and learning. Veterinary technicians are trained professionals providing direct patient care. While internships are temporary and educational, veterinary technicians are employed staff with certification, performing essential clinical tasks.

More about Veterinary Internship jobs
What cities are hiring for Veterinary Internship jobs? Cities with the most Veterinary Internship job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Veterinary jobs? The most popular types of Veterinary jobs are:
What states have the most Veterinary Internship jobs? States with the most job openings for Veterinary Internship jobs include:
Rotating Veterinary Internship - Chicago, IL - 2026 Class

Rotating Veterinary Internship - Chicago, IL - 2026 Class

Thrive Pet Healthcare

Hoffman Estates, IL • On-site

Internship

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago


Thrive Pet Healthcare rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 137 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

20th of 45 rated veterinary


Job description

Description
Thrive Pet Specialty Hoffman Estates offers a clinically oriented Small Animal Rotating Internship. Our brand new facility opened in the northwest suburbs of Chicago in October of 2023, staffed with a team focused on a productive collaborative culture between all of our specialties.
Our location just outside of Chicago provides a diverse caseload from the entire Chicagoland area.
Our interns will have primary case responsibilities along with working with different specialists and our staff ER doctors with increasing primary case responsibility as the year progresses. The emphasis will be on developing well rounded doctors with finely tuned diagnostic and treatment abilities who are well suited for future emergency, urgent care and general practice positions, as well as specialty residency or internship.
Our interns will rotate primarily through Emergency and Critical Care, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Oncology and Surgery. The intern will spend about 50% of the time on the emergency service and interns are paired on overnight ER shifts with a senior clinician. Other elective rotations or amount of time spent on other specialties can be customized based on interns goals. Case rounds occur twice daily in hospital led by the ECC team and other specialties. There will also be weekly didactic rounds including journal club, topic rounds, or wet labs. The weekly schedule will generally include 4 longer shifts when on emergency and on ECC. Most other rotations will be 5 shifts / week.
We have full in house laboratory capabilities, 1.5 tesla MRI, 64 slice CT, 5 surgical suites including one orthopedic suite with C-arm capabilities, intensive care ventilator and high flow capabilities available in hospital.
We Expect the Intern to have had experience with the following by the end of the training program:
  • Appropriate diagnostic and treatment plan for common diseases such as DKA, CKD, AKI, pneumonia, gastrointesintal diseases
    Appropriate interpretation of basic and more advanced bloodwork
    Procedural competency - abdomino- thoraco- and pericardio-centesis, chest tubes, NG tubes, nasal O2 lines
    Surgical competency with assistance in proecures such as enterotomy, gastrotomy, splenectomy, pyometra, GDV
    Perioperative treatment of critical cases
    Advanced monitoring with telemetry, capnography, direct and indirect blood pressure
    Exposure to ICU ventilation
    Anesthesia competency

Thrive Pet Healthcare Perks:
Additional support and perks result from the fact that the Thrive Hoffman Estates is part of Thrive Pet Healthcare. Thrive is a growing company with almost 400 hospitals in 38 states - general practices, emergency hospitals, specialty and mixed animal hospitals. That spells opportunity for you!
Like you, for Thrive 'care' isn't just a word. It's present in everything we do, driven by a dedication to the animals and families we help. We believe you shouldn't have to sacrifice your well-being, goals, or individuality to do this. We take actions to empower you to provide the best care for pets, the people who love them, and yourself - through progressive career & learning options, benefits, and support. You will be surrounded by those who understand you, your work, and what you're experiencing day-in and day-out. Throughout our hospitals across the country and with our university partners, Thrive is committed to supporting the education of veterinarians through externships, internships, and residencies that further what we can do for Animals and for one another.
You can learn more about all our Medical Excellence & Education programs at - https://careers.thrivepetcare.com/us/en/home#medical-exc
Thrive Hoffman Estates, as part of Thrive Pet Healthcare, supports our house officers with a comprehensive benefits package including:
-Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage
-Continuing Education Opportunities
-PTO
-Professional Liability Coverage
-Thrive U for unlimited, no-cost CE
-Eligibility for Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance
-Eligibility to Participate in 401(k) retirement savings plan
-Paid Parental Leave & Purr-ental Leave
-Pet Care Discounts and More
At Thrive Pet Healthcare, we celebrate and embrace the uniqueness and diversity of all our team members, pet parents, and pets. We strive to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture where all team members belong and feel empowered.

What Thrive Pet Healthcare employees say

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About Thrive Pet Healthcare

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Thrive Pet Healthcare, located in Austin, TX, US, operates within the veterinary services industry, providing high-quality healthcare solutions for pets. The company offers an extensive range of pet care services, from vaccinations and routine exams to dental care and surgical procedures. Founded on the principle of making pet healthcare both affordable and convenient, Thrive Pet Healthcare has become an integral part of the pet care community, upholding this mission with unmatched dedication. They believe in providing comprehensive care that benefits the overall well-being of pets and have made substantial progress in incorporating advanced methodologies and equipment in their facilities.

Industry

Non-profits

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Austin, TX, US

Year founded

2003