Marine Mammal Internships

Undergraduate Animal Care and Training Internship​

The “Animal Care and Training Internship” with the Navy Marine Mammal Program is designed to give undergraduate students a dynamic educational experience in the marine mammal field while offering valuable career experience. Students are responsible for a number of support tasks with dolphins and sea lions throughout the course of the internship including diet preparation, sanitation, and equipment and facility maintenance. Interns also have the opportunity to assist the Navy’s marine mammal training staff in husbandry, research and open-water training sessions.

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.

Vetlab Internship for Veterinary Technology Students

The veterinary staff of the U.S Navy Marine Mammal Program (MMP) and National Marine Mammal Foundation (NMMF) are looking for individuals enthusiastic about the care of bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions to participate in a 16-week veterinary technician internship. The internship will focus on the two key elements of Vetlab’s daily work; the daily veterinary care of Navy marine mammals and the record keeping and biological sample submission in support of the animal’s care.

Veterinary Medical Externship​

The next available Veterinary Medical Externship will be offered during the 2027/2028 academic year. Applications are due by November 1, 2026.

For students in their fourth year of veterinary school, the “Veterinary Medical Externship” provides a comprehensive look at the Marine Mammal Program. The NMMF staff provides on-call veterinary care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Mornings are typically used for scheduled clinical procedures, veterinary medical technologies support, and rounds. Most afternoons are dedicated to sample processing, data entry, research, training, and unscheduled (urgent) procedures. Students are given the opportunity to observe and participate in all clinical activities, under the direction of the veterinary staff, as the situation permits. In addition, students are expected to select and complete a clinical project in marine mammal medicine while on-site.

The Navy maintains and cares for a large population of dolphins and sea lions in an open-water environment in San Diego Bay. Student externs are given the unique opportunity to observe and contribute to the preventive medicine program.

Application Details​

The application process for all 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 US 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.

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.

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.

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 help 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. Everyday 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 to ask more. Everyone was friendly and eager to learn about you, which in return made me feel welcomed and eager to come back everyday! 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