Applications are open for 2026
Spend a full week on-site and behind-the-scenes at the AZA-accredited Toledo Zoo, a top American zoo, to learn all about healthy animal care and upkeep in a zoo setting. This program is open to participants aged 18 and up.
This program is designed to help you and your team learn all about zoo management. Each day, your teaching vets and the zoo staff will help you to understand and practice different aspects of managing a zoo and its animals. You will have the opportunity to spend time with the animal health and nutrition departments as well as complete lab work with veterinary technicians and discuss medical cases.
Your program will cover such topics as:
This program provides the unique chance to learn directly from Toledo Zoo staff and veterinarians about the behind-the-scenes work that goes into caring for zoo animals. You will get an in-depth view of what it takes to provide healthcare and nutrition for a wide range of wildlife species in a zoo setting. Each day includes a full schedule of labs, field lectures and hands-on practice throughout the zoo.
“Loop Abroad provided me with the truest experience of what it means to be and become a healer in the arts of veterinary medicine.”
Grace B., 2022
Summer 2026
July 26- Aug 1, 2026 FULL
Spring 2027
coming soonSummer 2027
coming soon
According to the Toledo Zoo: “Toledo Zoo is committed to inspire their guests to join them in being advocates for wildlife and conserving the natural world by providing fun, awe-inspiring, and educational experiences. Others can help build a movement that cares for animals and creates a shared space for wildlife in this world. As part of that mission, The Toledo Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), a leader in global wildlife conservation. AZA member institutions are dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors and a better future for all living things.
Toledo Zoo is home to more than 10,000 individual animals representing over 720 species. In an effort to save endangered wildlife they participate in more than 80 Species Survival Plans that ensure healthy, genetically diverse Zoo populations. Travel around the world from the tropics to Greenland, ocean to sky and desert to rainforest in one Zoo visit.”
You will arrive in Toledo on the first day of your program and meet your group. Your arrival Sunday will include an orientation and a chance to get to know one another. Your program takes place at The Toledo Zoo from Monday – Friday of your program week. On the final program Saturday, we’ll have our alumni meeting at breakfast, and then you’ll head home.
One-week Program ItineraryFrom Monday – Friday, you will plan to spend the full day working with your teaching veterinarian and your learning team at The Toledo Zoo. After breakfast, we will head to the project each day from approximately 9am – 5pm.
You can expect a combination of training and lectures, practice labs, medical case discussions, and guided tours by Toledo Zoo vets and care staff. This is an opportunity to learn in a small group from the veterinarians and keepers at one of the most respected, AZA-accredited zoos in the USA. You are expected to behave in a professional and courteous manner at all times.
The following is an ESTIMATED schedule. You should expect this schedule to change, but it will give you an idea of what to expect. You will also have time to observe the animals at the zoo during your down time.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
This program is a unique opportunity to learn from and work with the veterinary and keeper teams at an AZA zoo in a small group of focused participants. We expect that you will learn a HUGE amount about zoo veterinary medicine from their expert team!
This program is designed for students ages 18 and over who are interested in veterinary medicine and in learning more about successfully caring for wildlife and exotics in a zoo setting. 
One-week program: 
From Monday through Friday, you and your cohort will be full time at The Toledo Zoo, a leading AZA-accredited zoo. The zoo will be our classroom, lab, and field learning experience for the week in this busy and immersive program.