Zoo Medicine
& Management in Texas

Experience a week in the life of a working veterinarian as you help care for over 70 species of animals. You’ll also hear from other animal experts about enclosure design and the important role of zoos in conservation around the world.

Available for Middle School and High School students.

Prepare for the future

The Texas Zoo is on a mission to connect the public with wildlife and the importance of preserving as many species and habitats as possible. Many of the animals at the Texas Zoo are native to Texas and most are rescue animals that could not be returned to the wild. During your time in Texas, you can look forward to:
  • Daily field classes on topics including large animal exams, rehabilitation and release, and designing animal enrichment activities
  • Researching and presenting your own Keeper Talk to the visiting public
  • Time in the lab to discover topics including animal first aid, parasitology, and enclosure design

By attending Zoo Medicine & Management in Texas, you can earn up to 40 veterinary hours, a required part of every vet school application.

2025 High School Program Dates & Tuition

  • 7 Days
  • June 15-21
  • June 22-28
  • $4,599

2025 Middle School Program Dates & Tuition

  • Residential
  • June 29-July 5
  • July 6-12
  • $3,799
  • Day
  • June 30-July 5
  • July 7-12
  • $3,399

What’s Included

All Meals

On-Campus Accommodations at University of Houston-Victoria

10:1 Teaching Vet-to-Student Ratio

Up to 40 veterinary hours

Program Highlights

Animal Care Rotations

On your first day at the Texas Zoo, you’ll be split into three groups. Each group will take turns rotating through different learning activities on food preparation, enclosure maintenance, and animal enrichment.

Field Classes

The zoo will become a living classroom for you and your fellow attendees as you explore important topics like animal behavioral observations, zoo ethics, and veterinary diagnostics across different areas of the Texas Zoo.

Public Outreach

After four full days of exploration at the Zoo, you will research a specific topic pertaining to animal conservation that you’re passionate about and present your findings during your own Keeper Talk with the visiting public!

Lab Time

Much of a zoo veterinarian’s time is spent in the lab, treating animals for various injuries or performing wellness exams. You’ll participate in several different lab activities including wound suturing, parasitology, small animal physical exams, and an enclosure design workshop.

Your Adventure, Day by Day

Day 1

Arrival in Victoria, Texas

  • Registration & Orientation
  • Setting expectations & goals

Day 2

Exotic & Wildlife Mammals

  • Introduction to Exotic and Wildlife Mammals
  • Field Class: Behavioral Observations
  • Animal Care Rotation I*
    • Food Preparation
    • Enclosure Maintenance and Management
    • Animal Enrichment
  • Lab Activity: Suturing
*Students will be split into three groups and rotate through each animal care activity

Day 3

Large & Domesticated Animals

  • Practice Physical Exams & Positive Reinforcement Training
  • Animal Care Rotation II
  • Field Class: Zoo Ethics, Animal Welfare, and the Role of Zoos in Conservation
  • Lab Activity: Bandaging

Day 4

Reptiles

  • Introduction to Reptile Care
  • Field Class: Veterinary Diagnostics & Reptile Physical Examinations
  • Lab Activity: Parasitology
  • Animal Care Rotation III
  • Design Animal Enrichment Projects

Day 5

Avians

  • Introduction to Avian Care
  • Small Group Work
    • Radiograph Interpretation Lab
    • Rabbit Physical Examinations
    • Research + Prepare for Keeper Talk Presentation

Day 6

Careers in Veterinary Medicine

  • Present Keeper Talks
  • Field Class: Jobs in Veterinary Medicine & Capture and Release vs Rehab
  • Small Group Work
    • Enclosure Design Workshop
    • Blood Cytology Lab

Day 7

Departure

The events included in this itinerary are subject to minor changes before your program.

Image Gallery

What some of our students and their parents are saying…

The [program] was very interesting to him. He actually wanted us to go to the zoo the day we picked him up so he could show us around! He loved it.”

I honestly really enjoyed the program. I loved not only getting to know the staff and other students but also the zoo keepers. They really knew what they were talking about and it was good to be able to get to know them and ask them questions.”

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For the safety of students, staff, and animals, not all animals may be touched or handled by participants. The teaching veterinarian and other professional staff members will advise students of the proper time, place, and method to handle animals when it is safe to do so.