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Visitor Information

Educational opportunities:

The University of Georgia is honored by your interest in visiting our zoological medicine service at the College of Veterinary Medicine. The clinical work is approximately distributed as follows: 45% avian, 35% mammals, 15% reptiles, and 5% fish/amphibians/invertebrates.

Our service provides veterinary care for exotic pets, wildlife and local zoological collections. There are three ways to spend time with us depending upon whether you are a veterinary student, academician, or private practitioner. In addition we also offer an internship program in exotic animal, wildlife and zoological medicine.

Private Practitioners

The Veterinary Teaching hospital can offer qualified veterinarians the opportunity to observe basic to advanced medical and surgical practices in zoological medicine.

The hospital is well-equipped with dedicated exotic animal ward, anesthesia, radiology, CT, MRI, sterile surgery suites, diode and CO2 laser, 4.0 MHz radiosurgery, and ancillary diagnostic laboratory and pathology services. A dedicated endoscopy suite includes flexible and rigid video equipment, endoscopic laser/diode laser surgery, and single/multiple entry minimally-invasive surgery for exotics. Periods of 1 day to several weeks can be arranged upon request.

Further information and application details are available from our Continuing Education Web site. Continuing education credit and fees apply. Please remember to state your interest in the Exotic Animal, Wildlife and Zoological Medicine service.

Veterinary Students

The Exotic Animal, Wildlife and Zoological Medicine service of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Georgia offers student externships in zoological medicine. These rotations are typically 3 weeks in duration (although longer stays can be arranged), and focus on the medical and surgical problems of exotic pets, wildlife and zoo animals. The animals seen will be primary cases and referrals from veterinarians practicing outside the university. There are regular visits to zoological collections including aviaries, zoos, and nature reserves.

The objective of this externship is to develop diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical skills in zoological medicine. This is done through direct case allocation, daily discussions in rounds and evaluation of thought processes and case records. Students are expected to be directly involved with, and participate in, the medical and surgical treatment of their patients.

Students, who must be in their final year when they plan to take the externship, are invited to apply through the Office for Academic Affairs, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA (e-mail: ysmith@uga.edu). This office controls the visiting externship program and ensures that students are appropriately registered, receive necessary credit, and are covered by insurance. This office can also assist with housing inquiries.

Internship Program in Exotic Animal, Wildlife and Zoological Medicine

The exotic animal, wildlife and zoological medicine one-year internship emphasizes clinical training in basic and advanced principles of exotic animal medicine and surgery. There will also be opportunities to participate in clinical research, and publications in peer-review scientific journals or other veterinary periodicals are encouraged.

Past interns of this program have been very successful at achieving residency/zoo placements. This program is also accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons as an approved center for specialist training in zoological medicine. This is a non-degree graduate student program leading to an official University Certificate of Internship. Full details of the program are available at www.virmp.org.

Visiting Scholars (faculty and graduate students from other academic institutions)

In order to facilitate the exchange of scholars our university does not charge for hosting scholars from universities and other academic institutions; however, visitors are responsible for all of their expenses, including accommodations and travel.

Visiting scholars may, with prior approval of both faculty and the department head, observe the hospital and field exotic services, and may have the opportunity to be involved with research projects undertaken during their visit. Please note that visiting scholars cannot have primary case responsibility and are only observers because of veterinary licensing issues. In addition, good written and spoken English skills are required in order to communicate effectively with faculty and staff.

Faculty and graduate students from other academic institutions should contact Dr. Stephen Hernandez-Divers for more details.

Accommodations

Details on University housing are available from www.uga.edu/housing, or by contacting Shay Davis, director of housing, at jsdavis@uga.edu.

Air Travel

Atlanta is the major international airport which is 1.5 hrs drive from the University. Transportation to/from the airport can be arranged by making an advanced booking on a shuttle bus. Further details are available from www.aaaairportexpress.com/athens.htm.

Alternatively you can fly into Charlotte (North Carolina) and get a connecting flight direct to the small Athens airport which is 10 minutes from the University. These flights are generally more expensive but many people find them more convenient.

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