Volunteer Opportunities in the Wildlife Medical Clinic

Who are we? What do we do?

We are the Wildlife Medical Clinic and it is our mission to provide care and treatment to sick, injured and orphaned wild animals, offer hands-on training to veterinary students, and educate members of our community about coexisting with native wildlife. We see around 2,000 patients per year and close to 115 species. Some of the most common species we see are squirrels, rabbits, opossums, raccoons, songbirds, raptors, waterfowl, and turtles.

Overview of Volunteer Opportunities

• Orphan Feeding Team – Open to all applicants, but volunteer positions are limited. To apply, fill out the google form, submit a resume/cv to the WMC co-chairs, and send proof of rabies vaccination to Dr. Stephany Lewis.
• Ambassador Team – Open to all applicants, must have prior animal handling or animal care experience. To apply, complete the google form, submit a resume/cv and letter of intent to Sydney Oliveira.
• Transport Team – Open to all applicants. To apply, fill out the google form.
• Wildlife Medical Clinic Student Internship Program – Student only. To apply, complete the google form, submit a resume/cv, letter of intent to the WMC co-chairs and proof of rabies vaccination to Dr. Lewis.

Orphan Feeding Team Requirements/Commitment

• Requirements/Commitment:
  • Must be at least 18 years of age to volunteer. Volunteers are prohibited from performing medical procedures and handling of adult, sensitive, or potentially dangerous patients.
  • Rabies vaccination (First vaccine must be completed by date you start volunteering).
  • 2 shifts per week during the academic year.
  • 4 shifts per week during the summer.
  • Must commit to at least 1 session.
    • Fall Semester: September-October (deadline to apply September 1)
    • Spring Semester: March-May (deadline to apply February 1)
    • Summer Semester: May-August (deadline to apply April 1)
• Responsibilities:
  • Feeding orphaned wildlife.
  • Routine cleaning around the clinic.
  • Additional tasks as needed.

Ambassador Team

• Requirements/Commitment:
  • Shifts:
    • 1 care shift per week (~1-3 hours).
    • 1 enrichment shift per week (~30-60 minutes).
    • 1 PR event per semester (education outreach program with our ambassador animals).
    • Must commit to either of the following:
      • Academic Year (Fall and Spring Semesters, August to May).
      • Entire Year (August to August).
  • DO NOT need the rabies vaccination.
• Responsibilities:
  • Providing daily husbandry that includes feeding and enriching the ambassador animals.
  • Routine cleaning of the ambassador building and associated enclosures.
  • Assisting with educational opportunities to the public.

Student Internship Program

• Requirements/Commitment:
  • Must be a University of Illinois or Parkland student.
  • Rabies vaccine (First vaccine must be completed by start of first shift).
  • Able to commit for the entire academic year (Fall and Spring semester).
  • Interview required.
• Responsibilities:
  • Triage exams for incoming wildlife patients.
  • Designing and executing treatment plans alongside other students, house officers, and faculty.
  • Routine cleaning around the clinic.
  • Additional tasks as needed.

Transport Team

• Requirements:
  • Must own a personal vehicle.
  • Willing to travel 1-4 hours away from the Wildlife Medical Clinic.
  • Will not be reimbursed for gas or mileage on your vehicle, this is strictly done on a volunteer basis.
  • DO NOT need the rabies vaccination.
• Responsibilities:
  • Provide safe transport of wildlife patients to licensed rehabilitators or other wildlife centers, as needed.

Wildlife Medical Clinic Leadership Info

• Dr. Stephany Lewis, DVM, CWR, DABVP (Avian Practice)- Wildlife Medical Clinic Director (selewis@illinois.edu)
• Sydney Oliveira, Wildlife Medical Clinic Program Coordinator (sydneyo3@illinois.edu)
• Tyson Jenkins and Riley Dunwoody, Wildlife Medical Clinic Managers
• YiYung Tung and Rachel Eggleston, Wildlife Medical Clinic Co-Chairs (WMCChair@vetmed.illinois.edu)
• Sarah Hollander, Jacob Dalen, Lydia Tilley, Roxanne Lisowsky, Wildlife Ambassador Care Coordinators (WMCAmbassadorCoordinator@vetmed.illinois.edu)

Q & A from our August 1, Zoom Meeting

• When are applications due?
  • Fall – September 1
  • Spring – February 1
  • Summer – April 1
• How many spots available for internships?
  • 12 spots available. We have 6 teams and 2 spots per team. Can volunteer for both clinic and ambassador but letter of intent is needed for ambassador program. Please send different letters of intent for each program you are interested in.
  • 2 shifts per week include weekend days as well. Schedule rotates so not always sure what day you are on until schedule is set. There are several shifts available per days.
• How do I apply?
  • Fill out the google form. Then send additional material (resume/letter or intent) to the email associated with the team you are applying for.
• What is a letter of intent?
  • Basically, a cover letter. States why you want to join our program.
• Do previous volunteers have to send resume and letter of intent again?
  • No, just let managers know you are interested and fill out the google form.
• How soon will I be contacted after application period closes?
  • Usually within 1 week of it closing, we will schedule interviews. Transport team – no deadline.
• How do we sign up for a shift once we join?
  • We usually have a google calendar for shift sign up. This may change but it will be some sort of shared electronic document that the whole team has access to.
• Can you provide more information on the shifts?
  • There are 3 shift times available, and each shift is a 2-3 hour commitment. You sign up based on your availability. Shifts are also based on patient load so may adjust accordingly.
  • Shifts are: 8-11 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., and 5-9 p.m. (This is slightly longer as most, if not all, the orphans are fed during this shift).
• For the Ambassador Program, is it possible to just volunteer on the weekends?
  • Depends on the team’s schedule. If conflict occurs, schedule may need adjusted. This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. 
• How do we train ambassador volunteers?
  • Usually, one on one or in small groups or pairs. You will not complete a shift on your own until you and your trainer are comfortable. We will make sure you get the training you need.
• If I can’t make a shift, who do I notify?
  • Orphan team – Contact managers and others you are on shift with.
  • Internship team – Contact team leaders first and managers if team leaders not available.
  • Ambassador team – Contact WACC’s and then managers.
  • You are humans first, students second, and volunteers third. School comes before volunteering. If conflicts arise, please just give us as much advanced notice as possible.
• Where would non-students get vaccinated for rabies and what is the cost?
  • Check with local hospitals as some carry this vaccination. Most places with a travel clinic carry this vaccination. Walgreens and McKinley Health Center also carry this vaccination.
  • Cost will vary depending on clinic and your insurance.
• More questions?
  • Email wmcChair@vetmed.Illinois.edu