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UF Health University of Florida
Small Animal Hospital College of Veterinary Medicine
For Pet owners: Information about mysterious respiratory illness in dogs
Contact Us Overview

Volunteer

Thank you for your interest in the University of Florida Small Animal Hospital volunteer program. The aim of this program is to provide an opportunity for participants to gain experience in the veterinary field. We encourage our volunteers to work closely with our faculty, staff, and veterinary students to increase their knowledge of patient care, husbandry, and medical understanding. We currently schedule for Fall, Spring, and Summer sessions coinciding with UF’s academic calendar.

Volunteers are asked to perform a variety of responsibilities, including cleaning, organizing, and maintenance of the service area of the department to which they are assigned.  Once trained in proper animal restraint, volunteers are utilized within their respective departments to participate in treatments and procedures.  The program also provides a rare opportunity for volunteers to observe special procedures or surgical procedures. If you are interested in participating in the volunteer program, please see the information and requirements below.

Services

Dog Looking Up

Services currently participating in the volunteer program:

Volunteer Requirements

  • Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
  • We do require that all volunteers complete a Rabies vaccine series of three injections. Once you are offered a spot in the program, you will be expected to start the series and provide documentation of its completion. This is quite expensive and will be your financial responsibility. The vaccine is offered at the UF Student Health Services, the Santa Fe Student Health Center, Alachua County Health Department, and some private doctors as well. Some insurance companies will cover this series, so it’s good to ask.
  • Zoo Med volunteers are also required to have a Tuberculosis screen each year, which is available at all of the above named locations as well. This is at your financial responsibility.
  • All volunteers must have a Tetanus vaccine in the last 10 years.
  • All volunteers must complete a risk assessment through the UF Occupational Medicine service (paperwork will be provided once you are accepted for volunteering), as well as serum banking, which are your financial responsibility. If you receive your vaccines and/or TB test elsewhere, you will still need to go to Occupational Medicine to have these completed. If you do not have a UFID, one will be assigned to you in order to complete this requirement.
  • If you are University of Florida Student, Faculty, or Staff you must have a UF parking pass to park at the Small Animal Hospital.
  • Completed application packet obtained after contacting us at the email listed below.

For More Information

Please feel free to contact us with any questions or to obtain an application at volunteer@vetmed.ufl.edu.

University of Florida

IFAS

As part of both the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and UF Health, Veterinary Medicine is dedicated to advancing animal, human and environmental health through teaching, research, extension and patient care.

IFAS

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

Animal Hospitals

Need animal care? Visit the UF Small Animal and Large Animal Hospitals. From dogs, cats, birds and exotics to horses, cattle, llamas, pigs and many other large farm or food animals, our experienced veterinary staff is ready to assist.

Animal Airwaves

Syndicated Podcast

Animal Airwaves

Animal Airwaves is a daily radio series that features one-minute segments relating to animal health, ranging from insights into animal behavior to veterinary patient care breakthroughs and trends.

Animal Airwaves