Starting vet school can feel like a whirlwind, but we’ve put this guide together to help you find your footing—especially if you are curious about pursuing zoo, wildlife, or exotic companion animal medicine. Here, you’ll discover some of the unique opportunities Illinois has to offer, what an externship really is (and why it’s worth your time), a breakdown of IL faculty members/departments, and even get the scoop on what it means to be professionally boarded—plus whether that path might be right or wrong for you.
Here’s the Breakdown:
Opportunities with Non-Traditional Species at Illinois
Click below to see some of the opportunities IL CVM has to offer students interested in Zoo, Wildlife, and Companion Exotic Medicine
Externship Essentials
This section breaks down what an externship is and why they are such a valuable part of your veterinary path to becoming a Non-Traditional species veterinarian. You’ll learn how externships can expand your skills, build connections, and help shape your future career path.
ZooMed/Wildlife Faculty List
First-years often find it confusing to sort through names, departments, and all the acronyms associated with the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH). This page introduces you to the current faculty that work with Non-Traditional species, explains their specialties, and helps you make sense of the departments they’re part of. Use it as a quick reference whenever you’re trying to figure out who’s who!
To Board, or not to Board
Read more here on what professional boarding means in the realm of Non-Traditional Species medicine and why it may or may not be right the path for you.