The cooperative Jane and Marshall Steel Residency Program is operated in conjunction with the University of California, Davis. The first two years take place at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at UC Davis, which provides a diverse caseload, including companion, food, and zoo animals, as well as exotic pets and wildlife. The final year is spent in Disease Investigations at the San Diego Zoo, where residents obtain more focused exposure to zoo and wildlife species.
Residents participate in the necropsy, biopsy, and cytology services under the supervision and instruction of five ACVP-certified pathologists, and may also conduct a research project that makes scholarly use of diagnostic materials. Case material includes a wide variety of non-domestic birds, mammals, and reptiles derived from the collections of the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and from collaborative field conservation programs, as well as various wildlife species found on zoo property.
In addition to rotating through diagnostic duty with the other pathologists, the resident will work closely with clinical veterinarians, curators, and animal care staff in addressing collection health issues through monthly morbidity and mortality meetings. There are weekly histopathology conferences to supplement preparation fro the ACVP board exam. The resident may also participate in mentorship of visiting veterinary student externs throughout the year. Residents in this program remain employees of the Univerity of California, Davis during their final year at the San Diego Zoo.
Details on the first two years with UC Davis including requirements for admission and application instructions can be found at: https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/education/internships-residencies/support-services-residencies/zoo-wildlife-pathology-track
Additional information can be obtained by contacting us via email and by visiting the Veterinary Anatomic Pathology Training page.
