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Veterinary Externship

Please note: We are not accepting applications at this time and all positions are filled.

Check back in late Spring 2026! For any additional questions, please contact sferguson@tnaqua.org or cjk@tnaqua.org.

A veterinarian examines a penguin
Caregivers led by Dr. Chris Keller perform an x-ray on Stewy the Green Sea Turtle.
Veterinary Technician Shelby Ferguson, left, and Senior Animal Care Specialist Jennifer McPheeters conduct a physical on a juvenile American Alligator.

The veterinary preceptorship allows visiting students to spend two weeks with Dr. Christian Keller, veterinary assistant/technician Shelby Ferguson and husbandry staff.

Dr. Keller has been the veterinarian at the Tennessee Aquarium since 1991 and is an adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine located in Knoxville. Students will spend approximately 20 hours per week with Dr. Keller, and the remaining time will be spent rotating through the Aquarium’s husbandry departments. Additionally, students will spend time with the veterinary assistant/technician Shelby Ferguson. Shelby has been at the Tennessee Aquarium since 2021 and is a graduate of the University of South Florida in St. Petersburg. She is also the aquarium’s sea turtle caregiver.

In addition to various freshwater and marine fishes, students will have the opportunity to care for penguins, psittacines, native birds and reptiles. They will gain experience in the realm of aquatic biosecurity and quarantine. Students will also be involved with the husbandry and medical concerns of mammals ranging from Flying Squirrels to North American River Otters and Lemurs (the Tennessee Aquarium does not house marine mammals of any kind).

Students who apply must be in their final clinical year of training from an accredited school of veterinary medicine.

Temporary, $100/day stipend up to ten days; 40 hours/week for two weeks, weekend/holiday/on-call may be required.

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