Internship Opportunities

The NMMF manages three unique internship opportunities for the U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program (MMP), designed to ignite a passion for marine mammal science, medicine, and care.

Open exclusively to U.S. citizens, the programs provide a dynamic and educational experience for undergraduate students, recent college graduates, or those pursuing careers in veterinary medicine. Whether you’re working towards a degree in marine science or are a veterinary student ready to immerse yourself in comprehensive marine mammal experience, these internships will inspire and empower you on your career path.

Interns and externs gain valuable mentorship and skill building while contributing to the welfare and study of marine mammals. These internships offer an unparalleled opportunity to observe, assist, and participate in various aspects of marine mammal care, training, medicine, and research.

Undergraduate Animal Care and Training Internship​

The highly sought-after Animal Care and Training Internship (ACT) provides students with a unique 16-week opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the marine mammal field. Designed to empower college students to pursue career pathways in marine science, undergraduates and recent graduates work side-by-side with marine mammal professionals in a dynamic environment and receive valuable mentorship and skills development.

ACT interns have the opportunity to engage in a wide range of responsibilities, contributing to the well-being and study of U.S. Navy dolphins and sea lions. These responsibilities include:

Responsibilities include:

Help prepare the diets for marine mammals, ensuring they receive proper nutrition.

Assist with husbandry tasks, including caring for the marine mammals, daily health checks, and supporting the training staff.

Support the animal care staff during marine mammal physical examinations and veterinary procedures.

Participate in daily open-water training sessions in and around the San Diego Bay.

Maintain cleanliness and hygiene within the facility.

Upkeep and maintenance of equipment and facilities used in the program.

Contribute to ongoing research projects related to marine mammal studies, helping gather valuable data and contributing to scientific advancements in the field.

To enhance their learning experience, interns have the opportunity to attend lectures on a wide variety of topics and participate in field trips that provide insights into marine mammal science.

Currently, thanks to a generous grant from the Conrad Prebys Foundation, the National Marine Mammal Foundation will provide a stipend of $4,000 per semester to each ACT intern to help defer the costs of participating in the program. We anticipate offering this stipend beginning with the Spring 2026 semester and continuing through the Fall 2027 semester. We hope this will encourage candidates to apply who could not previously due to financial constraints.

NMMF Internships

The U.S. Navy maintains and cares for a large population of dolphins and sea lions in an open-water environment in the San Diego Bay. The NMMF’s team of marine mammal veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and medical records experts provide on-call veterinary care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure the health and wellbeing of these remarkable animals.

Vetlab Internship for Veterinary Technology Students

The 16-week Veterinary Technician Internship offers a unique opportunity to gain experience in the care of bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions alongside U.S. Navy and NMMF veterinary professionals. The internship focuses on the two primary aspects of Vetlab’s daily operations: providing routine veterinary care for U.S. Navy marine mammals and the record keeping and biological sample submission in support of animal care and research.

Responsibilities include:

Assist in the daily maintenance and clean-up of the marine mammal hospital and medical equipment.

Support the preparation and performance of routine animal care procedures and scheduled medical procedures.

Process, archive, and manage biologic specimens such as blood, urine, and feces.

Provide assistance with medical data entry and laboratory record keeping.

Prepare samples for lab analysis and shipment.

Assist in the collection, processing, and recording of environmental data.

Participate in ongoing research projects as assigned and conduct reviews of scientific articles.

Veterinary Medical Externship​

For students in their fourth year of veterinary school, the Veterinary Medical Externship provides a unique 4 to 6-week opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in marine mammal veterinary care and research. The MMP’s long-standing commitment to the welfare and study of marine mammals has created an exceptional learning environment for those pursuing a career in marine science and veterinary medicine. 

Veterinary students will contribute to the MMP’s preventive medicine program, which includes comprehensive physical examinations, nutrition and sanitation oversight, and support for animal deployments.

Responsibilities include:

Assist with marine mammal health assessments, including physical examinations, diagnostic workups, and treatment planning.

Observe and assist with clinical activities, under the direction of the veterinary staff, as the situation permits.

Engage in laboratory work, such as sample processing, data analysis, and specimen archiving.

Contribute to ongoing research projects focused on marine mammal health and physiology, contributing to advancements in scientific understanding, medicine, and technology.

Gain exposure to the development of advanced clinical technologies in the field of marine mammal veterinary medicine.

Participate in staff development activities that enhance understanding of animal care practices.

Build connections with leaders in the field of marine mammal medicine and science.

Students are expected to complete a clinical project in marine mammal medicine while on-site.

Application Details​

The application process for all internship and externship programs requires a competitive approach. 

Undergraduates and recent graduates must arrange to receive college credit to be considered for the Animal Care and Training and Veterinary Technology internships. 

To apply for the programs, prospective interns are required to submit a comprehensive application package, including a resume, cover letter, transcripts (unofficial or official), proof of medical insurance, proof of U.S. citizenship, and a minimum of three letters of recommendation from professors or employers. Please note that all applicants must be U.S. citizens to be eligible for these internship opportunities.

Application Deadlines

Spring Internships: Application deadline is October 1st

Summer Internships: Application deadline is March 1st

Fall Internships: Application deadline is June 1st

Veterinary Externship: November 1st for dates within the NEXT school year

How to Apply

Interested individuals should contact Erika Putman, Director of Education and Outreach, at in*********@**mf.org for application instructions and inquiries.

What our Interns are Saying

  • “The Navy Marine Mammal Program internship was one of the most valuable opportunities I’ve had the privilege of participating in. I learned so much about the different aspects of the field from training, to veterinary and husbandry care, to research opportunities. It also provided me with ample hands-on opportunities to explore these different aspects of the field and helped me decide what I want to do in my career. I’m so grateful for the connections I made and the valuable experiences I gained during my time as an intern.”

    Emily Gustafson – Summer 2023

  • “This internship provides a realistic look into the everyday life of a marine mammal trainer. What is special about this program is that you will get out of what you put into it. The experiences, connections, knowledge, and confidence I gained have given me a well-rounded foundation in the field.”

    Sierra Rafacz – Summer 2023

  • “The NMMP internship was such an incredible experience! It was way more hands-on than I expected, and everyone was amazing about answering questions about training and husbandry and going out of their way to make sure we were really learning what it took to work well with animals. You also get the opportunity to do things you’ll never get to do anywhere else (watching sea lions play video games or going open-water with a dolphin are truly unforgettable experiences!).”

    Lyn Schwendy – Summer 2023

  • “This internship is like no other. You get a multitude of hands-on experience while creating personal relationships with the animals and training staff. It is unlike anything else I have ever done. It is truly a transformative experience where you will be pushed out of your comfort zone, make new friends, and learn much more than you could ever imagine.”

    Ashley Roben – Fall 2023

  • “This internship was an amazing opportunity for me. I learned so much about the care and training of marine mammals while also gaining valuable experience!”

    Marina Wennstrom – Spring 2024

  • “The NMMP internship provided a unique opportunity to work with incredible dolphins and sea lions! Allowing the chance to be able to participate in their day-to-day care and training while learning from a diverse group of trainers with varying backgrounds. Loved this internship and would recommend it to any aspiring professional looking for experience in the field!”

    Erin Hamel – Summer 2023

  • “This internship through the NMMP granted me and others an amazing opportunity to work with dolphins and sea lions. I was able to learn and experience so much from participating in their care and training, and loved every second of it. Anyone who is willing to dedicate the time and effort to learn and grow should definitely pursue this experience!”

    Alyssa King – Summer 2023

  • “This internship was the most hands-on and involved internship I have ever been a part of. Every day you get to learn and experience something new while being surrounded by brilliant trainers and researchers. Any question I had almost always had an answer, and you always felt comfortable asking more. Everyone was friendly and eager to learn about you, which in return made me feel welcomed and eager to come back every day! This program invited me in with open arms, allowed me to grow my passions while developing new ones, and most importantly, hang out with dolphins and sea lions in beautiful sunny San Diego!”

    Brett Miller – Summer 2023

  • “NMMP is a great place to get experience with marine mammals! You get a lot of opportunities to not only care for and train these animals, but to participate in research, network, learn about veterinary practices, and learn about the history of the NMMP. I would recommend this internship to someone who is self-motivated and committed to working in the marine mammal field.”

    Shannon Worley – Spring 2024

About the U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program

Established in 1960, the U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program (MMP) is a specialized division within the U.S. Navy, working with marine mammals for various military applications. Dolphins and sea lions have played a crucial role in tasks such as detecting underwater mines, object retrieval, and supporting underwater surveillance. The NMMF, in collaboration with the MMP, is dedicated to the well-being of marine mammals involved in these military operations. This includes comprehensive veterinary care and health assessments to ensure the animals are in optimal condition to perform their duties. The NMMF and MMP also conduct vital scientific research projects, such as investigating marine mammal hearing abilities, biosonar systems, and physiological responses to the marine environment. These studies not only benefit military applications but also contribute to the broader field of marine science and conservation. If you’re considering an internship, this dynamic partnership provides a unique and rewarding environment for hands-on experiences in marine mammal care, research, and conservation, fostering a deep appreciation for these magnificent creatures and their role in our oceans.