Aquarium Educator Volunteer Program
The purpose of our award-winning Aquarium Educator Volunteer Program is to educate guests about the animals on-site and inspire them to take action to conserve aquatic life. Our volunteers showcase props, tell conservation stories, and provide immersive educational experiences that instill a love of marine life.
We are committed to providing opportunities to volunteers of diverse backgrounds. Our galleries, and entrances, are wheelchair accessible, and designated accessible parking is available. If you have any questions about volunteer accommodations, please email volunteer@vanaqua.org.
To be eligible to apply, all volunteers must make a commitment of a one shift per week for a minimum of three months and be a minimum of 15 years old in the calendar year applying.
Aquarium Educator Volunteer News
Volunteer Educator recruitment occurs once annually in the spring. Please sign up here if you would like to be on the list to receive an email when the next recruitment process opens.
VETERINARY MEDICINE EXTERNSHIPS
Veterinary Externships are a type of practicum designed specifically for third or fourth-year Veterinary Medicine students. The Veterinary Externship Placement is for students required to complete practical experience working with a variety of animals in an animal health context. Externs will work closely with the Vancouver Aquarium veterinary staff in the medical management of marine mammals, terrestrial mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and a large variety of native and tropical fish.
Externs will also assist with medical management of marine mammal patients at the rescue centre when needed.
Veterinary Externships at the Vancouver Aquarium are offered from April 1 to October 15th each year.
Applications are now closed for summer 2027 and will open for summer 2028 in the fall.
For more information on practicum or externship placements, please email janna.werry@vammr.org
Veterinary Technologist Externship
This externship is designed to provide final-year Animal Health Technology and Veterinary Technology students with experience working with the Vancouver Aquarium’s over 600 species of animals, which include marine mammals, fish, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.
Students will observe and assist the technicians and veterinarians in all aspects of veterinary care (exams, treatments, and routine laboratory procedures) and learn medical/husbandry techniques unique to species at the aquarium along with the challenges of caring for animals from varying environments.
Due to the nature of the placement, hands-on experience may be limited.
Veterinary Technologist externships applications for the Vancouver Aquarium are now closed for 2026 and will reopen in the fall for 2027.
For more information on practicum or externship placements, please email janna.werry@vammr.org.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Successful Applicants should be:
- Currently enrolled in their final year of study in a veterinary technician program from an accredited institution
- Intending to pursue a career in aquatic and/or exotic animal medicine
- In good academic standing
- Extremely self-motivated with a desire for continuous learning and able to work well in both independent and team settings
- In good physical shape (able to life 25kg with ease, work in tight spaces, and stand for long periods of time), and be comfortable working both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions
- Comfortable around blood and medical procedures
Veterinary Technology Externships are offered between February- September of each year.
Students should plan to spend their two-week placement at the Vancouver Aquarium according to their school’s placement requirements.
The number of students accepted per year varies.
The work environment includes, but is not limited to, behind the scenes areas and animal habitats as well as office time. It may include work in wet, slippery areas, hot and humid areas, variable temperature and weather conditions. Locations may also vary between Vancouver Aquarium veterinary facility and the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Centre (VAMMR).
Externship applications open from October 1st – November 15th prior to placement dates in the next year.
Marine Mammal Rescue Centre Volunteer Program
Volunteers play an essential role in the successful rehabilitation of marine mammals at the rescue centre, an offsite-quarantine facility. Under the direct supervision of staff, volunteers prepare formula, thaw, and sort fish, clean and disinfect food prep areas, clean animal enclosures and pools and assist with the general maintenance around the site.
New volunteers will not handle or touch animals and must follow strict safety and quarantine protocols. These volunteers must also be able to lift a minimum of 12kg, stand for extended periods of time and work outdoors in all weather conditions. To be eligible to apply, all volunteers must make a minimum five-hour shift per week commitment from July to early September and be a minimum of 18 years old in the calendar year applying.
The rescue centre shifts are 7-11:45am, 12:15-4:45pm and 5:15-10pm seven days a week during peak season July and August.
Rescue Centre Volunteer Sign Up
Our Summer 2026 volunteer intake is now closed. Please sign up below to be notified for the Summer 2027 recruitment.
Please contact Janna Werry (janna.werry@vammr.org) if you have any questions.
Marine Mammal Rescue Practicums
Marine Mammal Rescue practicums are for students required by their post-secondary curriculum to gain practical experience in the field of animal husbandry or wildlife rehabilitation. The students will work alongside the veterinary staff and volunteer teams to aid in the rehabilitation of marine mammals admitted to the centre. Key duties include general husbandry, meal preparation, gavage feeding, helping admit animals, administering subcutaneous fluids, wound management, prepping medications, and potential to assist with rescues and releases. Placement options are ONLY offered in the summer.
Practicum placements are unpaid, short-term placements undertaken as part of post-secondary studies through an accredited University or College. Students must be registered in a course that requires placement in animal husbandry or wildlife rehabilitation (APBI496at UBC for example) or a Veterinary Technology Program.
Students must be in good academic standing, be a minimum of 18 years old in year applying, familiar with animal handling and be able to work as a member of a team with minimal supervision. Additionally, practicum students must meet the physical aspects of the position including lifting and carrying 12 kg safely on their own and be comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions. Priority will be given to Canadian applicants.
Applications for summer 2026 are now closed.
Please see the FAQ section below if you have any questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
A practicum is part of a formal education process for students enrolled in a post-secondary institution that involves the supervised practical application of previously taught theory related to course study. A practicum is unpaid hands-on training that is required by the curriculum of the program for credit towards graduating
Two practicums are currently offered through the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Centre (MMR). The animal husbandry practicum and the veterinary technologist practicum. Both are only available during the summer. The duration of both practicums will differ depending on the course requirements.
The course/program must specify hands on training to receive credit and/or to graduate. The practicum is NOT a placement for graduated students or anyone looking for experience in animal husbandry or wildlife rehabilitation that is not connected to a specific course or program.
Unfortunately, not. The rescue centre is predominately busy during the summer months due to the harbour seal pupping season. Although the rescue centre is open year-round, there are not enough patients on site to offer the diversity of training opportunities for students.
The expectation is that the practicum students will prioritize their placement at MMR for the duration of their placement. There is some flexibility with weekly scheduling however the required hours stipulated in your practicum course/program will still need to be met.
A practicum role is only for students currently enrolled in an eligible course/program. However, the rescue centre does offer a small number of specialized visiting volunteer positions for students in veterinary medicine, veterinary technology, marine biology, or other similar fields, and visiting rescue or animal care professionals. If you think you are eligible for this role, please email volunteers@vammr.org.
Yes, if your program/course meets the eligibility and your dates align with the summer months. You will be responsible for organizing your own travel, accommodation in Vancouver and entry requirements.