Hi all,
I hope to continue to find internship opportunities for PSSD members. Research internships are a great way to make connections (graduate students, professors, fellow pre-vets) and get experience – even if you're still thinking about small animal medicine. Dr. Famula asked me why I was still specializing in companion and captive animals when I have a ton of species to play with here at Davis. I realized that Davis pre-vets are fortunate to have the amount of livestock to learn about. Most campuses do not have half the herds and flocks we have. A bit of advice? Go frolic with whatever species your little heart draws you towards. ANS 49 classes are also a great way to learn about the different species (I didn't learn about cattle overnight. I learned from Doug).
Remember you can also receive transcript notation as well as units for internships through the Animal Science department.
Here are the labs that are taking interns this spring. Email me at anytime if your lab is also taking on interns.
I hope to continue to find internship opportunities for PSSD members. Research internships are a great way to make connections (graduate students, professors, fellow pre-vets) and get experience – even if you're still thinking about small animal medicine. Dr. Famula asked me why I was still specializing in companion and captive animals when I have a ton of species to play with here at Davis. I realized that Davis pre-vets are fortunate to have the amount of livestock to learn about. Most campuses do not have half the herds and flocks we have. A bit of advice? Go frolic with whatever species your little heart draws you towards. ANS 49 classes are also a great way to learn about the different species (I didn't learn about cattle overnight. I learned from Doug).
Remember you can also receive transcript notation as well as units for internships through the Animal Science department.
Here are the labs that are taking interns this spring. Email me at anytime if your lab is also taking on interns.
Katie Smith
Katie Smith is a PhD candidate in the Wildlife, Fish & Conservation Biology Department. Her research focuses on ways to improve management and conservation of salt marsh harvest mouse and waterfowl in the Suisun marsh. What makes this project special is that the salt marsh harvest mouse is an endangered species. They are an endangered species due to the habitat losses caused by city expansion. If you want to learn more, email her or check out the project's Facebook page. She is also looking for volunteers to help out.
What will I be doing as a volunteer?
You will be doing anything from trapping to telemetry. Because the salt marsh harvest mouse is a nocturnal animal, there are some crazy shifts ranging from 12:00 AM to 6:00 AM. You can look at more times in their volunteer spreadsheet. For completing so many hours, she will also give you gifts such as hats, t-shirts and sweatshirts. Pretty cool.
How do I become a volunteer?
Email Katie.
How do I get to the marsh?
There are carpools available. Don't worry if you do not have a car in Davis.
What will I be doing as a volunteer?
You will be doing anything from trapping to telemetry. Because the salt marsh harvest mouse is a nocturnal animal, there are some crazy shifts ranging from 12:00 AM to 6:00 AM. You can look at more times in their volunteer spreadsheet. For completing so many hours, she will also give you gifts such as hats, t-shirts and sweatshirts. Pretty cool.
How do I become a volunteer?
Email Katie.
How do I get to the marsh?
There are carpools available. Don't worry if you do not have a car in Davis.
Dr. Makagon
Dr. Makagon is a professor within the Animal Science Department. Her research focuses on the behavior, welfare and management of poultry (i.e. ducks, laying hens, broilers, and turkeys). They assess the effects of physical and social environments (think ANS 41), evaluate the correlation between behavior and bone integrity and developing species specific welfare assessment measures. They also look at how they can maintain animal welfare but maintain maximum productivity of this species. This is a great opportunity for those who are interested in behavior or possibly looking towards shelter medicine.
What project will I be working on?
They aim to answer the question, "What type of behaviors and/or housing structures put hens at risk of developing keel bone deviations and fractures?"
Who do I contact?
If you are interested in joining this lab, please send a statement of interest (or relevant experience) and a resume to Sydney.
Do I need prior experience?
No, but if you do have experience, make sure to include it in your statement of interest!
What is the time commitment like?
It is required to come in 6 hrs a week. Students are recommended to come in for 2-3 hours at a time.
What project will I be working on?
They aim to answer the question, "What type of behaviors and/or housing structures put hens at risk of developing keel bone deviations and fractures?"
Who do I contact?
If you are interested in joining this lab, please send a statement of interest (or relevant experience) and a resume to Sydney.
Do I need prior experience?
No, but if you do have experience, make sure to include it in your statement of interest!
What is the time commitment like?
It is required to come in 6 hrs a week. Students are recommended to come in for 2-3 hours at a time.
Dr. Kebreab
This is currently the lab Chelsea and I are in. Here's a quick Q & A:
What does is the research project about?
They are looking to see how beta mannanase (an enzyme) affects feed efficiency, milk proficiency and health in lactating (early and mid lactation) dairy cattle.
What is the time commitment?
Depending upon your schedule, you will be assigned (at most) 5 hours week. It isn’t bad at all. However, you’re working with animals and animals are like you. You need to eat and so do they. If you skip a night shift, not only will you make people like Chelsea and me very upset, you will make the people giving letters of recommendation very upset. THIS GOES FOR ALL SHIFTS. You signed up so you show up. No matter how bad the weather is or how tired you are, they need to be fed because they are producing YOUR FOOD. In the grand scheme of things, they take priority.
What kinds of things will I be doing?
This quarter the available positions are the following:
• Morning shifts (7:00 AM – 8:00 AM MTWRFSSu): This shift is the longest and most physically demanding. You will have to lift 50 – 60 lbs of feed at a time and be able to mix 80 – 90 lbs with a pitchfork. So you can go ahead and skip your morning workout for the shifts you are assigned. You have to be able to multitask and know how to work together with fellow interns. There is a lot going on in the morning, my fitness tracker on my phone proves it. The hours of the morning shift varies because it depends upon how fast you work as a team. You will also prepare evening feed on this shift. It might run until 9 AM depending upon how well your shift works together.
• Evening Shifts (6:50 PM – 8:00 PM MTWRFSSu) Dump feed prepared from the morning shift & mix with pitchfork after they have been milked (you can do this as they are being milked). Check beds & make sure gates work correctly. Scoop up refusals left on the ground. Hours do depend upon the milker, but you will be notified.
How long does trial run?
It goes until mid July/end of July.
Can I skip a shift?
Only if you have someone to cover for you. You are given a list of all interns on trial so try calling one of them to see if they can cover. Also let the graduate student, Carolina, and field supervisor know beforehand.
Is it worth it?
YESSSSSSS. I love my cow cows. Even though 2464 has a vendetta against me, I love each and everyone of those animals. That’s why I ranted a little about skipping shift. I love the people I have met on trial, too. I wouldn’t trade this for anything in the world. It not only will get you good letters of recommendation, but it will allow you to learn the species’ natural behavior. This internship is great for those who are interested in animal behavior. I’m always in the pens with them and I can tell you which cow is which based upon the coloring of their behind. I also know they all have their own personalities. You will also learn how to read their irritated body language. It’s pretty easy. Every ounce of manure that lands on my face, blood stains on my jacket, bruises on my upper thigh and every pound of feed I have lifted is worth it to me.
YOU ALSO GET UNITS.
Can I take selfies?
Yes, I do it all the time. BUT PLEASE DO YOUR WORK FIRST! And be careful, because sometimes the cows will knock the phone out of your hands into the manure. They're curious animals so they like cell phones.
Who do I contact?
Please contact Tekeste.
They are looking to see how beta mannanase (an enzyme) affects feed efficiency, milk proficiency and health in lactating (early and mid lactation) dairy cattle.
What is the time commitment?
Depending upon your schedule, you will be assigned (at most) 5 hours week. It isn’t bad at all. However, you’re working with animals and animals are like you. You need to eat and so do they. If you skip a night shift, not only will you make people like Chelsea and me very upset, you will make the people giving letters of recommendation very upset. THIS GOES FOR ALL SHIFTS. You signed up so you show up. No matter how bad the weather is or how tired you are, they need to be fed because they are producing YOUR FOOD. In the grand scheme of things, they take priority.
What kinds of things will I be doing?
This quarter the available positions are the following:
• Morning shifts (7:00 AM – 8:00 AM MTWRFSSu): This shift is the longest and most physically demanding. You will have to lift 50 – 60 lbs of feed at a time and be able to mix 80 – 90 lbs with a pitchfork. So you can go ahead and skip your morning workout for the shifts you are assigned. You have to be able to multitask and know how to work together with fellow interns. There is a lot going on in the morning, my fitness tracker on my phone proves it. The hours of the morning shift varies because it depends upon how fast you work as a team. You will also prepare evening feed on this shift. It might run until 9 AM depending upon how well your shift works together.
• Evening Shifts (6:50 PM – 8:00 PM MTWRFSSu) Dump feed prepared from the morning shift & mix with pitchfork after they have been milked (you can do this as they are being milked). Check beds & make sure gates work correctly. Scoop up refusals left on the ground. Hours do depend upon the milker, but you will be notified.
How long does trial run?
It goes until mid July/end of July.
Can I skip a shift?
Only if you have someone to cover for you. You are given a list of all interns on trial so try calling one of them to see if they can cover. Also let the graduate student, Carolina, and field supervisor know beforehand.
Is it worth it?
YESSSSSSS. I love my cow cows. Even though 2464 has a vendetta against me, I love each and everyone of those animals. That’s why I ranted a little about skipping shift. I love the people I have met on trial, too. I wouldn’t trade this for anything in the world. It not only will get you good letters of recommendation, but it will allow you to learn the species’ natural behavior. This internship is great for those who are interested in animal behavior. I’m always in the pens with them and I can tell you which cow is which based upon the coloring of their behind. I also know they all have their own personalities. You will also learn how to read their irritated body language. It’s pretty easy. Every ounce of manure that lands on my face, blood stains on my jacket, bruises on my upper thigh and every pound of feed I have lifted is worth it to me.
YOU ALSO GET UNITS.
Can I take selfies?
Yes, I do it all the time. BUT PLEASE DO YOUR WORK FIRST! And be careful, because sometimes the cows will knock the phone out of your hands into the manure. They're curious animals so they like cell phones.
Who do I contact?
Please contact Tekeste.
Uc Davis Pastured Poultry Farm Internship
The UC Davis Pastured Poultry Farm is looking for 2-3 interns for Spring Quarter 2016. Students will be able to gain hands-on experience working with a flock of 150 laying hens on a pastured poultry research facility.
What is required?
You are required to have a driver's license.
Where can I get more information about the project?
Please visit this link.
If I have additional questions, who do I contact?
Please contact Nicole Fernandez.
What is required?
You are required to have a driver's license.
Where can I get more information about the project?
Please visit this link.
If I have additional questions, who do I contact?
Please contact Nicole Fernandez.
Dr. Berger
You must:
What will I be doing?The internship consists of driving to a slaughterhouse (about 1 hour and 45 minutes away; rental car will be provided, or if you prefer to drive your own car you will be reimbursed for mileage and gas) to collect 100 to 150 swine ovaries from a production line.
Do I need anything else?
All equipment will be provided for you.
What else?
This is a PAID internship, at least minimum wage, if not better (being decided). It can also open up potential opportunities for future lab work and thus, research experience!
How can I apply?
Please fill out this document ASAP!
- Have a six-hour chunk of time from 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM one day per week
- Be comfortable around viscera; if blood makes you queasy, it's probably not the right internship for you.
What will I be doing?The internship consists of driving to a slaughterhouse (about 1 hour and 45 minutes away; rental car will be provided, or if you prefer to drive your own car you will be reimbursed for mileage and gas) to collect 100 to 150 swine ovaries from a production line.
Do I need anything else?
All equipment will be provided for you.
What else?
This is a PAID internship, at least minimum wage, if not better (being decided). It can also open up potential opportunities for future lab work and thus, research experience!
How can I apply?
Please fill out this document ASAP!