Applications are open for 2026

The Toledo Zoo Pre-Vet

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:

• Medical case discussions with the Toledo Zoo veterinarians
• Fecal setup and blood smears in the lab
• Positive reinforcement training demonstration
• Vet-taught lessons on mammals, reptiles, birds, parasites and nutrition
• Direct instruction on physical examinations
• Speak with various zoo keepers and animal care staff about the health and husbandry of the animals they care for. 
• Mentoring and question and answer session regarding vet school
• An introduction to husbandry, enrichment, and enclosures

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

Who It’s For

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. 

There are no prerequisites for this program. You do not need to be in school currently to apply. Individuals of any nationality may apply.

This program is limited to a maximum of 10 participants to ensure that everyone gets up-close experience in their time at the zoo. There will be one Loop Abroad group on site at the project, with a Loop Abroad facilitator. Program teaching is provided by the staff at the Toledo Zoo.

This is an extremely rare opportunity to learn in a small group with the veterinarians and keepers at one of the most respected zoos in the United States. Participants are expected to be positive, attentive, fully engaged, and eager to learn. You will work directly with select animals under professional supervision within the high ethical and welfare standards upheld by the Toledo Zoo.

Highlights

• Guided tours of individual departments within the zoo
• Medical case discussions with the Toledo Zoo veterinarians
• Behind the scenes perspective on the full picture of the teamwork involved in managing a zoo 
• Hands-on lab experience
• Access to multiple domestic and wildlife species to participate in physical exams
• Mentoring to help guide you through the next step in planning your veterinary career
• Development and practice of valuable skills important for careers with animals in captivity

Dates open for application

Summer 2026

July 26- Aug 1, 2026 FULL

Spring 2027

Summer 2027

 apply now

Hours and Credit

You can receive 1 credit from the University of Findlay for this program. (Additional fee applies.) Loop Abroad can also assist you in working to get credit directly from your school. This is a study abroad program and all students will participate in the lectures, labs, and assignments in the schedule. Credit is optional and can be removed anytime before April 1.

You will receive a certificate for 25 service hours upon program completion. You will be supervised by a Toledo Zoo veterinarian in your classroom lectures, labs, and many of the animal activities – you should calculate your experience hours based on your actual participation, but we estimate 25 veterinary hours.

The syllabus for this course, ASLA 455- Zoo Husbandry and Care: Toledo Zoo, can be found here on our syllabi page.

The Project

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.

The Toledo Zoo is home to over 700 species of animals including elephants, tigers, orangutans, hippos, polar bears, and many other amazing mammals, as well as a wide array of bird, reptile and amphibian species.

This program has opportunities for you to learn about medical cases, restraint, physical exams, care in captivity, and other issues of veterinary medicine and management at a large zoo from the zoo’s veterinarians and other staff.

Tuition and airfare

One-week program: Regular tuition for the one-week program is $2,495. 

Your space is not held until your $1,000 deposit (credited toward tuition) is paid. ONLY TEN SPOTS ARE AVAILABLE.

Tuition includes housing, daily transport to the zoo, zoo program project, 24/7 on-site emergency support, breakfast, and lunch. The first meal included is breakfast on the program Monday and the final meal included is breakfast on departure Saturday. Tuition does not include medical insurance (the policy we suggest is under $25), dinners, or snacks. There are several restaurants in walking distance from the hotel you can use for dinner or you could also use a meal delivery service.

Airfare is not included. Transportation to and from the airport is not included in your tuition. Participants are welcome to drive – parking is available.