INTERNSHIP
We currently offer working
internships in Wildlife Rehabilitation. In the future, we hope to offer
internships in the education and research aspects of our work, but these are not
available at this time.
An internship at Squirrel Sanctuary provides the
opportunity to gain hands-on experience working with many different
aspects of squirrel wildlife rehabilitation and to learn skills
such as handling techniques, diets, food preparation and feeding methods and to
assist experienced rehabilitators with treatment
procedures. Our internships are intended to provide on-the-job training in basic
rehab skills, not to teach advanced theory or veterinary techniques.
We hope a working internship will help interns to examine
wildlife /animal/veterinary career opportunities. In return, we expect to work with enthusiastic,
mature, hard working people who will become an integral part of the working
collective at Squirrel Sanctuary
during their internship. We believe that a strong interest in wildlife, enthusiasm and
willingness to learn are more important than academic qualifications.
Seasons at
Squirrel Sanctuary
Although
we care for injured squirrels throughout the year, our
busiest time is "Baby Season", which usually begins in March and runs through to
November. This is
the period when we receive considerable numbers of orphaned and
injured young
wild squirrels . Interns who
come to Squirrel Sanctuary during different parts of
this season will gain different types of experience.
Length of Internships
Internships are for a period of approximately 2-8 weeks. We feel
that a shorter period is much less valuable because interns do not have
sufficient time to learn the basic skills and techniques and then practice what
they have learned.
Working Hours
Working
hours are variable. The actual working day ranges from
approximately 9am-8pm. Shifts and schedules are worked out to take into
account the animal care requirements and the number of trained people available
at any particular time. We rely on interns and rehab
assistants to help care
for the large volume of squirrels we receive during the busy summer months. We
often work long hours and will
take turns covering different shifts .
We also respond to emergency calls
12 hours a day, so a co-op member is always on
call during the day and on call during the
evening. Once they
have learned the basic skills, interns are expected to carry out routine animal
care tasks by themselves during evening and later feeds. Whenever
possible, schedules are arranged to provide interns with 2 days off each week.
Accommodation
Each intern has has access to kitchen
and bath .A library stocked with
Wildlife journals,papers and books are offered to take home to read. And,
due to the nature of the accommodations smoking
is permitted only in certain outdoor areas.
Health
All
interns must answer the questions concerning health on the application form, and
successful applicants must provide proof of an up-to-date tetanus vaccination.
Course Credits
Some
colleges and universities allow summer internships to count towards course
credits, but each has slightly different requirements. Please indicate on the
application form if you wish to complete the internship for course credits, so
that we can discuss this further with those who are selected for the positions.
Educational Content
These
are working internship where you will learn most through actual hands on
experience, but we feel that it is important that interns put this
rehabilitation knowledge into context by learning a little about the ecology of
Long Island ,the metro area and threats to wildlife in
our area. We will therefore
provide introductions to other organizations or individuals who are working in
associated fields within our local area.
Costs
Squirrel Sanctuary is a 501(c) 3
non-profit organization, with
a limited budget, so our internships are unpaid positions. However, we
hope to offer stipends, (to
help cover the cost of travel etc.) to interns during
2004.
Squirrel Sanctuary is an alcohol and drug-free workplace.
Please note that
the deadline for acceptance of applications for 2003
is 28 April 2003.
info@squirrelsanctuary.org