Large Animal Surgery Residency and Internship

Residency Overview

The University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine offers a four year conforming program in Large Animal Surgery which is specifically designed to fulfill all requirements established by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons while completing a Masters of Veterinary Science degree. The program is structured according to the guidelines defined by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. The first year of the program is dedicated to pursuit of the MS degree and is designed to provide the resident with a sound foundation in research as well as large animal anatomy and the fundamentals of surgery prior to the commencement of the clinical training. The subsequent 3-year clinical program is primarily devoted to in-hospital service. Clinical services are divided into a general service and a sports medicine/orthopaedic service. The surgery services are technologically current and are at the forefront of veterinary surgery. Surgical skills and judgment will be built through operative experience, teaching of professional students, and participation in veterinary and surgical rounds and seminars. Involvement in short-term controlled research projects is required. It is the intent of the program to provide a broad foundation for a future career in academic surgery or specialized practice. Residents have access to five board certified large animal surgical faculty members.

Contact the program coordinator: Dr. Adam Biedrzycki


Internship Overview

The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine Aquatic Animal Health Program internship is a rotating one year introductory training program in aquatic clinical medicine with a research component for graduate veterinarians that have completed a one year post DVM training or intern program. The internship includes mentorship from faculty in the Aquatic Animal Health Program and the zoological medicine service, radiology, and anesthesia service (3 week rotations), research rotation and external rotations at the Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory (UF-TAL) (School of Forest Resources and Conservation), the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory (MMPL), the Florida Aquarium, SeaWorld of Florida, Volusia County Marine Science Center, and Jacksonville Zoo. When available the intern will accompany the program coordinator to Clearwater Marine Aquarium. A research project related to ongoing marine mammal concerns or problems will be included and the intern will participate in zoo medicine rounds as well as journal club in early preparation for possible ACZM boards in their career. During the program, the intern will also be given the opportunity to participate in the University of Florida Aquatic Animal Health program’s courses with at least one lecture beyond their college presentation and field health assessments of dolphins and manatees with the programs partners. This internship will provide veterinary experience and training in the areas of marine animal medicine, stranding response for manatees and dolphins, public aquarium and zoo medicine and marine mammal research topics. It will also incorporate training in management, interpersonal skills and team based medicine required for a successful career in the field. The intern will be expected to actively participate in the IAAAM meeting with a poster or oral presentation on their research or a case report. Interns will be evaluated by their sponsors at the facilities and the college as part of the learning process.

Contact the program coordinator: Dr. Diego De Gasperi